Demand for Apple's new foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has exceeded supply in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as some retailers reported that the initial stock was completely sold out within hours of the sales launch. Others noted temporary unavailability of certain configurations.
The release of Apple's first foldable smartphone is scheduled for October 23, 2026, in the UAE, with pre-orders opening on October 16. The initial price of the device is 8,499 dirhams, but strong demand may lead to delivery delays for current buyers.
A representative from Jumbo stated in a release to Khaleej Times that 'the Apple Duo started very strongly. Demand for the product, despite its high cost, exceeded our expectations. Due to this high demand, we sold out the product within hours of the launch. Consumers were waiting for a new option from Apple, and they liked it very much.'
In the UAE, the prices for the Duo are set as follows: 8,499 dirhams for the 256GB version, 9,349 dirhams for 512GB, 11,049 dirhams for 1TB, and 13,599 dirhams for 2TB, making it the most expensive phone from Apple currently.
As previously reported by Khaleej Times, dealers in Deira indicated that some buyers are willing to pay a premium of up to 2,500 dirhams for immediate availability. Analysts also predict that Apple will sell all manufactured units of the iPhone Duo, although the high price may hinder sales in the UAE due to a significant price gap with competing foldable models such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, which costs approximately 3,000 dirhams less.
Mohammed Yusuf Badri, Director of Eros Group, noted a similar positive reaction, especially among customers attracted by the foldable design. However, he emphasized that product availability varies depending on color and memory configuration. Badri added that 'certain variants may be temporarily unavailable, in which case customers will have to wait for the next shipment.' The retail chain is working with its supply partners to replenish stock and minimize waiting times.
Badri also urged caution when assessing the duration of this momentum, noting: 'There is a difference between initial excitement and sustained demand.' He reported that the company is tracking customer inquiries, actual orders, and inventory movement to assess how interest translates into sales. According to Badri, the 512GB version generates the most interest, followed by the 1TB and 256GB models. Regarding colors, male buyers prefer Night Sky, while Star White proved more popular among women, though overall interest in both shades was 'quite balanced.'
The iPhone Duo is significantly more expensive than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which starts from 5,499 dirhams in the UAE, so Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options may appeal to buyers. The Director of Eros Group believes that flexible payment options become more relevant at such a high price and can make higher storage versions more accessible. Although some customers prefer to pay upfront, while others wish to spread the cost, there is no evidence of a serious shift towards installment payments. He concluded: 'I would not want to assume there has been a serious shift towards installment payments without factual data to confirm it.'
