Foldable iPhone Duo sells out walk-in stock

Apple sold 23,000 units of its new foldable iPhone Duo on Friday, October 23, before walk-in stock at retail locations ran dry. The device marked the company's first entry into the foldable phone market. Crowds gathered at stores worldwide in anticipation of the release.

Apple issued a press release on Friday morning sharing photos from launch events in various cities. The company stated that employees invited customers to try the device, providing hands-on demonstrations and individualized shopping assistance. Readers of 9to5Mac also posted images from their local stores, confirming high foot traffic.

Senior leaders attended the debut at different venues. Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, joined retail executive Vanessa Trigub at the flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. Apple CEO John Ternus was present at the Domain NORTHSIDE store in Austin, Texas, alongside retail chief Deirdre O'Brien. Mark Gurman reported that Ternus visited Apple's Austin offices earlier that week. The city is also hosting the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix this weekend, a race Apple streams exclusively in the United States.

Queues formed outside Apple Stores overnight as people attempted to purchase the iPhone Duo in person. Apple had warned beforehand that retail inventory would be limited. That caution proved accurate, as store employees reportedly told disappointed shoppers to check the Apple Store app at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday for details on available stock.

The launch drew attention to the scarcity of physical units compared to online orders. 9to5Mac asked its audience if they visited a store on launch morning to buy the phone or pick up a reservation. The poll sought to determine whether customers successfully secured a device or were turned away due to low shelf stock.