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Apple says it’s ‘hard to predict’ when iPhone Duo constraints will improve

DevicesNovember 3, 20261 min read

Apple says its new iPhone Duo is in short supply and customers may wait a long time for delivery. The company says it is hard to predict when supply will catch up with demand.

Apple warns of iPhone Duo delays

On an earnings call (a meeting where a company talks about its money results with investors), Apple's Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan said the new iPhone Duo is constrained. This means Apple does not have enough units to meet demand. Khan said Apple could not yet say when supply and demand would be balanced. People who did not buy quickly now face shipping times that stretch into next year.

Key facts

The iPhone Duo sold out on Apple's website within hours of going on sale.
Delivery dates for the Duo have been pushed into next year.
Verizon has been giving gift cards to customers to apologize for the delays.
Apple has raised prices on a number of products, and Khan said those choices were made "reluctantly."

Why memory chips matter

Memory chips store data inside devices. Demand for them has soared because of the AI industry (artificial intelligence, computer programs that learn and create). This has pushed up costs for makers of all kinds of hardware, which may raise device prices even more. Apple is known for an efficient supply chain (the network of companies that make and deliver parts and products), so these long delays stand out.

Why it matters

The delays show that even a very strong company like Apple can struggle to get enough parts. They also show that rising chip costs may make phones more expensive for everyone. Apple is working with Perryman, a titanium maker, to get materials for the foldable device faster.

What to watch

When Apple says supply and demand will be in balance.
Whether shipping times for the iPhone Duo get shorter.
Whether memory chip costs push more Apple products to higher prices.

Glossary

iPhone Duo: Apple's new foldable iPhone, which is in high demand and short supply.
Apple: A technology company that makes iPhones, Macs and other devices.
Verizon: A U.S. phone company that sells Apple phones and offers service plans.
Perryman: A titanium producer that supplies materials to Apple for the new foldable device.
supply chain: The network of companies that make, move and deliver parts and products.

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