Apple has introduced a strict limit on the number of iPhone Duo foldable smartphones that can be ordered in a single pre-order session. Customers in the US and several other countries can now purchase no more than two devices per client. When attempting to add more than two smartphones to the cart in the official online Apple Store, a warning appears asking to adjust the product quantity. The restriction applies regardless of the chosen configuration, storage capacity, or device color.
Two Devices Per Customer: How the Limit Works
According to reports, the restriction mechanism triggers at the cart level in Apple's official store. As soon as a user tries to place an order for a third device, the system blocks the action and displays a notification. Importantly, the limit does not depend on specifications: it does not matter whether the buyer is ordering the base or top-tier version, or in what color — the ceiling remains two smartphones per client in any case. This means that even with different configuration choices, bypassing the restriction through "different models" within a single order is not possible.
Causes: Surge Demand and Fighting Scalpers
Apple previously described the demand for the new iPhone Duo as "astonishing." The company resorted to setting limits to curb scalpers and at least partially mitigate the global shortage of the new product. Essentially, the two-device restriction is a tool for distributing limited stock among real buyers rather than speculators who buy up batches for resale during the first hours of sales. Apple has previously used this approach when launching other in-demand devices, but this time the shortage turned out to be so pronounced that the limit was introduced almost immediately after pre-orders opened.
Chronology: From Free Orders to Tightened Rules
Judging by user reports on Reddit, in the first days after pre-orders opened on October 16, 2026, some buyers still managed to place large batches of devices. However, the rules were later tightened for all regions, and the two-smartphone limit became universally applicable. This indicates that the restriction was not introduced immediately, but rather as a reaction to how quickly the demand picture took shape in the first hours and days after pre-orders opened.
Delivery Timelines: Official Orders Pushed to 2027
Due to the exceptionally high popularity of the new device, official shipping dates in the Apple Store shifted almost immediately to early 2027. For buyers who failed to place a pre-order in the first hours, the system displays an estimated delivery date of January 22. At the same time, receiving the device before the New Year holidays is possible through third-party retailers: some American sellers have confirmed pickup dates for base versions of the iPhone Duo in November and December, although their available inventory is also limited.
Context: Vulnerabilities of the New Device Amid Record Demand
The record hype surrounding the iPhone Duo comes against the background of the device having vulnerabilities as well: Apple previously confirmed that the smartphone's battery lags behind competitors. Nevertheless, this did not prevent demand from exceeding expectations and forcing the company to limit pre-order volumes. For the foldable smartphone market, the situation with the iPhone Duo serves as an indicator of how high audience interest is in the folding form factor and how limited production capacities remain at launch.
