Massive Demand for Apple's First Foldable Smartphone

Apple's highly anticipated first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, officially went on sale in India today, October 23, but buyers hoping for immediate over-the-counter purchases are facing severe supply constraints. The company's entire first-week inventory across the country has reportedly been pre-booked, with flagship locations recording unprecedented footfall and digital reservations.

Pre-orders for the flagship device opened on October 16, quickly outpacing initial supply allocations. According to industry sources, Apple BKC in Mumbai and Apple Saket in New Delhi recorded the highest volume of pre-bookings nationwide, running neck-and-neck in total reservation numbers.

Store Rules and Walk-In Restrictions

Reflecting the constrained supply, Apple has enforced strict in-store purchase guidelines across its Indian retail footprint. Unlike launch patterns observed in select international markets, walk-in availability has been effectively restricted. Retail operations are prioritizing customers with confirmed online reservations, while the tech giant's online storefront has implemented a strict purchase limit of two units per customer.

For consumers placing fresh orders following the exhaustion of the initial inventory window, Apple's official online portal indicates estimated delivery timelines stretching as far out as January 2027, highlighting a multi-month backlog.

Premium Pricing Strategy

The iPhone Duo arrives as Apple's most expensive smartphone offering in the Indian market to date. The lineup starts at ₹2,99,900 for the 256GB base variant, climbing to ₹3,24,900 for the 512GB model. Higher-capacity iterations—the 1TB and 2TB models—are priced at ₹3,74,900 and ₹4,49,900, respectively.

Apple's Expanding Footprint in India

The launch comes on the heels of robust financial performance for Apple in the subcontinent. Industry estimates from market intelligence firms such as Counterpoint Research indicate that Apple's fiscal revenue in India surpassed the USD 10 billion milestone (approaching the ₹1 lakh crore mark) in FY26. Annual iPhone shipments grew 24 percent year-on-year to reach approximately 14 million units, cementing the iPhone's role as the primary driver of Apple's domestic revenue and a leading high-value export from the country.