Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, sold out within minutes of pre-orders opening on October 16, 2026. Shipping estimates on Apple’s U.S. online store quickly moved to January 25, 2027 (or later), far beyond the planned October 23 availability window.
The shortage has created a fast-moving secondary market on eBay, where confirmed pre-orders (not yet-delivered devices) are listing and selling at large premiums. Multiple reports document dozens of sales, with peak prices hitting $4,999.99.
Notable sold prices
• A 2TB Night Sky model (Apple retail $3,199) sold for $4,999.99 — an approximately $1,800 premium. At least one such listing also added roughly $200 in shipping.
• A 1TB Night Sky “confirmed pre-order” (Apple retail $2,599) sold for $4,400 — again roughly an $1,800 markup.
• At least four units sold for $4,999, with many other completed sales starting at $3,000 and higher.
Lower-storage configurations have also traded well above retail. Reports show 256GB models (retail $1,999) selling in the roughly $2,699–$3,800 range and 512GB models (retail $2,199) reaching nearly $4,000 in some cases. Earlier pre-launch or early-presale activity already produced multi-thousand-dollar transactions.
Current listing ranges
Active eBay listings (primarily “confirmed pre-order” or expected late-October/early-November delivery slots) commonly ask $2,800–$3,750, with some higher. Buy-it-now prices in this band appear for both base and mid-tier storage in Star White and Night Sky. Physical devices are not yet in buyers’ hands, so nearly all activity involves pre-order transfers.
Apple’s official U.S. pricing is $1,999 (256GB), $2,199 (512GB), $2,599 (1TB), and $3,199 (2TB). The Duo features a 7.6-inch inner foldable display and a 5.4-inch outer screen in a titanium body.
Other marketplaces show far less activity. Sites such as Swappa have little or no meaningful sold pricing data yet, as the phone has not launched. eBay is currently the dominant venue for these early resales.
Premiums reflect tight initial supply, strong demand for Apple’s first foldable, and the desire for the earliest units. Sellers face eBay fees, taxes, and shipping costs that raise the practical break-even point well above retail (often into the mid-to-high $2,000s even for the base model). Buyers face typical pre-order-transfer risks, including potential scams.
As more stock arrives closer to and after the official launch window, secondary-market prices are likely to moderate. For now, early access is commanding substantial markups on eBay.
MacDailyNews Take: Hey, let’s be careful out there.
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I don’t believe most of these sales are legitimate. Take a look at ‘sold’ listings for Apple devices in general and you’ll often see head-scratching prices paid for iPhones, iPads or MacBooks that just aren’t worth that much. I’m confident a lot of this is money laundering. The Duo launch is a great opportunity for a lot of shady money to change hands.
What have you been drinking or smoking my friend !? 🤯