CNET
Behind CNET’s Mad Scramble to Pre-Order an iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable phone, is a hot ticket. Although the phone has an Oct. 23 release date, as of now models preordered through Apple won’t ship until the last week of January. The availability at mobile carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile is more variable. CNET Editor in Chief David Katzmaier is…
@alexanderfazel
October 16, 2026 at 12:08 pm
It was interesting for me: I got up at 5am exactly (Pacific Time) and Apple Store came up around 5:01 am. I used the Apple Store app, selected my pre-prepared order and picked in store pickup. I selected the store I want and I got some kind of error and apology message. I tried again two more times on the same thing happened. Frustrated, I went into Safari Mobile and logged into my Apple Store account. Tried it from there, and it worked! I got a slightly later launch day time slot for in-store pick up at my favorite Apple Store.
In all the years of preordering, I have never seen a mobile browser prevail over the app. I must say, I love my new iPhone 18 Pro Max!
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Before you shoot:
I think the iPhone Duo is a phenomenal product and even I’m surprised at how quickly it sold out. I hope everyone gets theirs. 👍🏻👍🏻
@sixmarch
October 16, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Verizon came through in the clutch for me. Got it for launch day delivery.
@weavedivas
October 16, 2026 at 12:32 pm
@sixmarch same here!!
@Ray_Entertainment
October 16, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Much easier if you have a Carrier and order thru them.
@Christian3828
October 16, 2026 at 3:01 pm
@Ray_Entertainment probably, but I got. A better deal directly from Apple than T-Mobile. I got $800 for my wife’s iphone 15 pro for 24 months instead of the Force 36 with T-Mobile.
@NinjaSushi420
October 16, 2026 at 12:40 pm
IPhone is garbage
@rugareee
October 16, 2026 at 1:18 pm
@NinjaSushi420 You don’t actually have to buy one, it’s optional
@rotorbob
October 16, 2026 at 6:20 pm
You must have fancy garbage.
@NinjaSushi420
October 16, 2026 at 12:42 pm
People use their phones mainly for three things, texting, calling, and watching YouTube or other social media. Thank God people are spending $2,000 to text, call and watch social media.
@ManuelMartinsPT
October 16, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Long live to my iPhone 11!
@hullstar242
October 16, 2026 at 1:53 pm
@ManuelMartinsPT same lol
@Aragorn7884
October 16, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Naw bruh, most of those people are going to flip it for a profit 🤑
@mikeBGzz
October 16, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Yea Verizon was taking preorder’s at 7:57 had mine ordered by 8!
@josher887
October 16, 2026 at 2:59 pm
I got the 1tb at 8:04am, and I’ve never done it this way before but, I decided to do pick up at a local Apple Store because I’m slightly more apprehensive about getting it shipped to my house, considering the price, picking it up on the 23rd I feel very lucky 😅
@jaredthegamer
October 16, 2026 at 3:04 pm
Opened Apple Store app at 4:58am PST. Couldn’t even get in until 5:03. Had my order pre filled from yesterday and heard that ordering to a store would be quicker but no stores in AZ showed any availability so ordered for delivery and shows Nov 6-13 for estimated delivery. 256GB night sky
@rangers68able
October 16, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Same
@stephenerdelyi
October 16, 2026 at 7:11 pm
Had an identical experience. Totally goofed by wasting precious seconds trying to order a local store stock vs starting with delivery from the go
@pruittfamily
October 16, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Interesting. I pre-ordered my pre-order and when the store opened, I click “Pay with Apple Pay” and BOOM, 1TB Night Sky will be delivered on Oct 23. No biggie.
@123tomandadrian
October 16, 2026 at 6:56 pm
Store didn’t open straight away for me, then my “get ready” order was gone. By the time I ordered (13:02 BST), my delivery estimate is 2nd of November. Still, not bad compared to others
@unmeitobaku4741
October 16, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Me to, i pre order the iphone duo 2tb night sky model, with the night sky case, and the AirPods Max 2 – Midnight ya boi 😂😂😂😂
@johnprince337
October 16, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Preordering was such a fail, and not getting it on release date means I will no longer be ordering a duo at all
@JP8-3
October 16, 2026 at 6:24 pm
I would of done the same tbh, there’s always a 50/50 it’ll suck
@austingarrett1152
October 16, 2026 at 8:43 pm
@johnprince337 That’s what I was gonna do if mine got delayed but I was able to get one next Friday.
@Ghost818-x8c
October 16, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Already ordered it today
@deadnsyde2
October 16, 2026 at 3:29 pm
so cnet doesnt get models delivered by apple? lol
@imac_games
October 16, 2026 at 3:54 pm
This makes me appreciate the fact that I was able to preorder right around 8am ET.
@JP8-3
October 16, 2026 at 6:20 pm
@imac_games same here, i learned my lesson after trying to order a steam controller
@504cool
October 16, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Katz is back 👍🏾. Before all the other TV reviewers there was David Katzmaier. I’ve waited for the Katzmaier blessing many a time before buying a TV. We have not forgotten 👍🏾.
Looking forward to seeing you all review the Duo.
@StableRiot
October 16, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Former Apple employee here. Preorder and store inventories are separate. Preorders are not shipped from Apple stores. A preorder secures your allocation, not necessarily the earliest arrival. Store purchases are first come, first served, but Apple stores replenishes their stock quickly. There’s a reason they are a five trillion dollar company. Apple’s website and Apple Store app show availability for same day pickup or two hour delivery at checkout. My advice: wait a week after launch, check local inventory, and bypass the preorder queue. I’ve purchased iPhones directly from Apple Stores around launch since 2007. I never preorder.
@theodoricofyork
October 16, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Scalpers took over
@JP8-3
October 16, 2026 at 6:23 pm
I have a 128GB iPhone 15 pro, I was able to lock in a 512GB Sky Night for the 23rd. Super excited for the titanium fold !
@-DM
October 16, 2026 at 6:25 pm
People would buy a turd if Apple slapped their logo on it.
@jamesducks9
October 16, 2026 at 6:52 pm
I too did this through the Verizon app after getting discouraged by the Apple store app and also secured October 23rd!