The latest iPhone Duo has become a hot commodity, disappearing from shelves faster than anyone expected.
On the opening day, October 23, online sellers quickly capitalized on the hype, listing these foldable devices for staggering prices, some reaching up to $10,000. This was Apple’s first-ever foldable phone, and the demand was through the roof, with people lining up for days ahead of its release.
At Apple’s iconic Fifth Avenue location in New York City, a video captured the early morning rush, showing a long line forming as early as 4:15 a.m.
By 10 a.m., reports indicated that the store was out of stock for walk-in purchases, with remaining customers having arranged pre-orders, according to anecdotal accounts on Reddit.
Meanwhile, a store at the World Trade Center had staff taking orders starting at 6 a.m., and they already had about 200 individuals in line at that time. Given the situation, some Apple fans began to resell their phones at outrageous prices.
On the same morning, an eBay seller had an iPhone Duo 2TB model listed for $8,000. Another one went even further, posting theirs for a whopping $10,000—more than three times the original price of $3,199.
Similar pricing trends were apparent on Craigslist, where a seller in New York offered theirs for $7,999.
One reseller explained their high asking price, stating they were willing to negotiate and justified it by recalling how long they camped outside the Apple store in the cold just to secure the phone. They expressed a desire for others to experience this remarkable piece of technology.
eBay buyers rushed to grab the pricey listings, with one person even purchasing a Star White, 1TB model for $5,200, complete with overnight shipping. Resale prices remained high after pre-orders sold out within minutes on October 16, pushing delivery dates back to January 2027 for latecomers.
That same day, a 2TB version had already hit the eBay listings for around $10,000. The iPhone Duo is notable for its impressive 7.6-inch inner screen, which is 80% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro’s display when opened. It also features a 5.4-inch outer screen.
Despite having two screens, the device is surprisingly lightweight, weighing just over half a pound and folding down to a compact three inches, almost like a piece of tech origami.
Industry analysts suggest that the Duo could play a pivotal role in bringing foldable phones into the mainstream, much like what Apple did for smartwatches and wireless earbuds.
