Apple caps iPhone Duo purchases amid high demand

Apple has introduced a limit on how many of its iPhone models people can buy in India. Customers can only purchase up to two of each model. This rule is in place a few days before the iPhone Duo Apples first foldable iPhone goes on sale at retail on October 23. There are reports of interest in the new product.

Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo opened on October 16. Customers purchasing through Apple’s online store can now order no more than two units of the foldable device. The same restriction is also applicable to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The purchase cap is not exclusive to India. Customers in markets including the US, China, Singapore and Hong Kong have also reported encountering the same limit on Apple’s online stores. When shoppers attempt to add more than the permitted number of devices, Apple displays the message: “A maximum of 2 iPhone Duo can be purchased per customer.”

While Apple has not publicly explained the reason behind the restriction, such limits have previously been used to discourage bulk purchases and reselling. The company followed a similar approach when the original iPhone went on sale in 2007, limiting customers to two handsets each.

The timing of the latest restriction has attracted attention because of the apparent demand for the iPhone Duo. Reports following the opening of pre-orders suggested that delivery timelines in some cases had already moved into January, indicating that early inventory could be under pressure.

Apple has also introduced tighter launch-day arrangements in some other markets. In Japan and South Korea, customers purchasing the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro Max are required to reserve store pickups in advance, with walk-in purchases unavailable at launch.

The excitement surrounding Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market is also reflected in industry projections. Counterpoint Research previously estimated that the iPhone Duo could account for around 25 per cent of the global foldable smartphone market. Samsung was projected to remain ahead with 38 per cent, followed by Huawei at 22 per cent.

Research also predicted that Apple might deliver six million iPhone Duo units in 2026 even though the iPhone Duo is expected to start at about Rs 3 lakh. These numbers are estimates not confirmed sales figures.

With Apple entering an increasingly competitive foldable market, the purchase cap could help manage early inventory and limit bulk buying. The company’s debut could also give the foldable segment another major boost as more consumers consider the form factor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kahekashan

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Kahekashan is a passionate technophile with a keen eye for cutting-edge gadgets, emerging technologies, and everything in the digital realm. Raised in a Defence family with strong values and a background in literature, she has consistently pursued excellence in every endeavour. Her last full-time assignment involved content writing with the Indian School of Business.

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