Apple is ‘not able to predict’ when iPhone Duo supply will stabilize

Following the debut of its very first foldable smartphone last month, Apple has encountered overwhelming demand that outpaces its manufacturing output. During an interview with Reuters, executive John Ternus stated that the corporation is working diligently to ship devices to customers as quickly as possible, but admitted that at this stage they are unable to predict when supply and demand will finally balance out.

Apple launched its inaugural foldable device at a starting price of 1,999 USD, equipped with a 5.4-inch exterior display and a 7.6-inch inner screen. Preorders for the device were exhausted almost immediately, pushing some estimated delivery windows into 2027, although a strictly limited stock was made available in physical retail stores on launch day.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Aside from manufacturing bottlenecks, Ternus also addressed recent media reports concerning cracked screens on the new hardware. He noted that only a very small percentage of units were returned for this specific defect and confirmed that Apple is actively replacing them. Furthermore, he shed light on broader supply chain headwinds that have persisted for months regarding escalating memory component costs.

"What we’re seeing with memory pricing right now is unprecedented."

John Ternus, Apple

The spike in component expenses has directly influenced pricing adjustments across multiple product lines, including higher entry prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max variants. Speaking during Apple's Q4 2026 earnings call on Monday, Ternus mentioned that the firm anticipates even higher memory costs during the December quarter, though the financial impact is being partially offset by recent retail price hikes.