Nothing's CEO Carl Pei recently released a video calling the iPhone Duo a waste of money because it lacks some really important features. The demand for the Apple foldable, however, suggests that the interested buyers really don't care about what's missing in the device. In fact, Apple is reportedly expecting much higher demand for the iPhone Duo than it initially anticipated.
Apple has increased the iPhone Duo orders
Despite getting unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro phones, the iPhone Duo isn't live yet. Its pre-orders begin this Friday, October 16, and it will launch on October 23. Apple initially had planned to produce around 6 to 7 million units of the iPhone Duo for the remainder of 2026.
However, the tech giant is expecting really good demand for its first foldable, and, as a result, it has reportedly increased the production number by 30%, bringing the target number close to 10 million units. The company is apparently taking all the necessary steps to ensure more and more audiences get to know about its first foldable.
For instance, more than a hundred demo units of the device are going to be placed at some of the biggest Apple stores like the Fifth Avenue location in New York City. Furthermore, retail stores will have the option to customize the "Hello" message that appears when you boot an iPhone with the name of the buyer, like it's saying "Hello, Aman."
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What's the main reason for you to get the iPhone Duo?
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There are changes in the iPhone 18 Pro model targets as well
In addition to setting new target numbers for the iPhone Duo, Apple has reportedly made some changes in the iPhone 18 Pro models' orders. The company has increased the iPhone 18 Pro Max order by 10 to 15%. However, the iPhone 18 Pro order has been reduced by 10 to 15%.
A previous report suggests the cut in the Pro model might be because of its weaker demand, which is most likely because of this model offering only incremental upgrades despite coming at a higher price than the iPhone 17 Pro. In addition to this, the unavailability of the base iPhone 18 is also being considered as a reason behind the weak demand for iPhone 18 Pro phones this year.
The demand is clearly visible for the iPhone Duo
One of the biggest advantages of the iPhone Duo is that it is the first foldable from Apple, and smartphone enthusiasts will definitely want to grab it despite it being one of the costliest iPhones. Its demand can clearly be seen on online platforms like Reddit. One user commented under a relevant post that the Duo is the first device that they are comfortable being an early adopter of, and the reason behind this is again that it's the first foldable from Apple and the company has spent nearly a decade polishing it.
Comment about the iPhone Duo on Reddit. | Image by Reddit
Another user commented that they are planning to upgrade to this device from their iPhone 15 in order to use it to read on the Kindle app. I also believe that the iPhone Duo can turn out to be a great iPad alternative, more of a mini tablet, which would be suitable for reading and entertainment purposes.
Foldables are performing well in the market
Almost all the major smartphone players have their foldables in the market, and most of them are showing a decent performance. Samsung was able to increase its market share from 19% to 23% in Q3 2026, according to the data published by Counterpoint Research. The popularity and demand of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is what Counterpoint believes is the major reason behind the increase in the market share.
The iPhone Duo look-alike Xiaomi 18 Fold is also performing great in the market, with its first-day sales reportedly surpassing the last year's model by 310%. Thanks to its really impressive specifications, the iPhone Duo is also expected to turn out to be a great option in the foldable segment. Apple seems confident about it, and that's why it has scaled up its orders by 30% for 2026.
Aman Kumar is a news writer at PhoneArena covering Google Pixel phones, Android features, AI-powered smartphone tools, and mobile tech news. Before joining PhoneArena, he spent over five years writing about consumer technology for publications like MakeUseOf, How-To Geek, and Guiding Tech. His current daily drivers are the Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus, while his red iPhone SE (2nd gen) remains a personal favorite. Aman also appreciates bold smartphone experiments and still considers the Nokia N-Gage one of the industry’s most iconic designs.
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