Apple Stores will have limited iPhone Duo units on launch day, but not everywhere

• France
• China
• Malaysia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• United Arab Emirates

In these countries, customers will have to use Apple’s online store to place a reservation for Apple Store pickup with a specific time slot. Part of the reason for the restricted walk-in availability is Apple’s attempt to manage crowd sizes and discourage scalpers from making purchases.

This comes on the heels of reports that Apple has instructed Apple Store employees to warn customers against showing up on October 23 if they don’t have a pre-order. 

Of course, users on Reddit didn’t seem amused by the warnings. Some were questioning the idea of camping in front of an Apple Store, saying it was not necessary anymore, but others seemed eager to try their luck, even though they might be late already.

Pickup reservations for the iPhone Duo are still unavailable

Probably the most frustrating part of all this is the fact that Apple’s online store doesn’t allow customers to book pickup reservations for October 23. Instead, the website currently recommends customers check again on Saturday, October 24 for the Apple Store pickup options. 

This makes it certain that very few people will be able to get an iPhone Duo on launch day, even if they decide to make the trip to an Apple Store, unless they have a pre-order already. Of course, Apple doesn’t acknowledge that’s an issue, and it just says that the foldable is enjoying “extraordinary” pre-order demand.

Luckily for anyone who just wants a passport-style foldable, without the months-long waiting times, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is easily available right now. Samsung’s first foldable in this form factor is also a $100 cheaper, and comes with a lighter body, even though it won’t ever support a stylus.

It shouldn’t be so difficult to buy a $2,000 smartphone

I might be a lucky person or just a patient one, but I never felt necessary to wait outside any manufacturer’s store to buy myself a smartphone. As exciting as the iPhone Duo may seem, I can’t imagine putting so much effort to get one, even if this means I’d need to wait a bit longer. I’m still a tech enthusiast, so I understand the desire to be among the first to try a new gadget very well, but I’m just too lazy to even try my luck this time around.