Apple’s first foldable iPhone, reportedly called the iPhone Duo, could be difficult to secure at launch. Analyst Jeff Pu now expects Apple to produce 6 million units in 2026, down from his earlier 7 million-unit estimate, with the foldable’s hinge described as a constraint on manufacturing output.
Pre-orders are scheduled to open on Friday, October 16, with initial deliveries expected from October 23. Limited early supply could extend delivery estimates by several weeks, particularly for popular colors and configurations.
Pu expects Apple to ship roughly 72 million iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max handsets by the end of 2026—12 times the projected iPhone Duo volume. The comparison is not directly like-for-like, however: the foldable would be on sale for only a little more than two months during the year and is expected to start at US$1,999.
If Apple sells through all 6 million units, the iPhone Duo could account for an estimated 6% to 9% of iPhone shipments during the remaining months of 2026. That would be a notable result for a first-generation foldable in a smartphone segment that remains comparatively niche, though constrained availability alone would not confirm unusually strong demand.
The key unknown is whether Apple can raise output after launch without compromising the hinge manufacturing process. Early sales and supply performance may help determine how quickly the company expands its foldable iPhone lineup in subsequent years.
