The possibility of a shortage of Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, immediately after its domestic release is becoming a reality. Although South Korea was included in the first launch countries, initial shipments to the country may be limited as early production volumes from suppliers, including Foxconn, fall short of plans.
According to foreign media and supply chain sources on the 5th, the iPhone Duo is facing difficulties in securing production yields during full-scale mass production.
It is reported that actual production volumes from the supply chain, including Foxconn, have not reached the levels initially planned by Apple. Some observers estimate that current production is at less than half the planned levels.
As the iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable smartphone, it is known to have a higher production complexity than regular iPhones. The device incorporates new components such as a foldable display and hinge, and must meet Apple's stringent quality standards during final assembly. The supply chain is reportedly working to adjust production processes and equipment to improve yield rates.
There are also concerns that production issues may not be resolved in the short term. Some supply chain sources expect production to stabilize only by early next year. If initial stock is depleted and additional supplies are not smooth, supply shortages could extend beyond the end of the year.
A global production shortage could affect the initial shipments allocated to South Korea. South Korea, confirmed as a first-launch country for the iPhone Duo, will begin pre-orders on the 16th of this month and officially launch on the 23rd. However, if the total global supply falls short of plans—especially with many launch countries—allocated volumes per country may be restricted. Even domestically, early sell-outs and delivery delays are possible, particularly for high-demand colors and storage capacities during the pre-order phase.
The iPhone Duo is Apple's inaugural entry into the foldable market. It features a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer display, and an A20 Pro chip based on a 2-nanometer (nm) process. Due to its novelty as Apple's first foldable device and the potential upgrade demand from existing iPhone users, early purchase interest is expected to surge.
Market research firm Counterpoint Research previously projected that iPhone Duo shipments could reach up to 6 million units this year. However, in the early launch phase, production capacity may limit sales more than demand. The volume Apple can supply by year-end is expected to depend on how quickly it improves production yields.
Domestically, the key factors will be the scale of the initial shipment and the schedule for subsequent supply. A mobile industry insider stated, “As Apple's first foldable product, the iPhone Duo is expected to generate significant initial demand, but if production does not keep pace, shortages may occur domestically, particularly for specific colors and storage capacities. The initial shipment volume and the speed of additional supply will determine the early sales performance.”
