Apple CEO says iPhone Duo supply shortage has no set end date

Apple leadership stated on November 2 that the company cannot forecast when supply of its new foldable smartphone will meet customer demand. CEO John Ternus made the comments during an interview with Reuters, noting that the firm is working to distribute the devices rapidly but lacks a specific timeline for when supply and demand will balance.

The iPhone Duo launched in October at a price of $1,999. The device features a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen. Preorders for the phone sold out quickly, and Apple indicated that some shipments will not arrive until 2027. The company also sold a limited quantity of units directly in retail stores at launch.

Ternus attributed the constraints to rising costs in the supply chain. He described current memory pricing as unprecedented during Apple’s Q4 2026 earnings call. The executive added that memory costs are expected to rise further during the December quarter, though he noted that recent price increases across the product line partly offset these expenses. These cost pressures contributed to higher starting prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models.

The executive also addressed reports of quality issues. Ternus stated that a very small percentage of iPhone Duo units were returned due to cracked screens. Apple is replacing those affected devices.

Despite the supply issues and the absence of a standard iPhone 18 model in the lineup, Apple reported record revenue for the fourth quarter. The company recorded $57.58 billion in iPhone sales during that period.