Apple does not know when it will be able to supply enough iPhone Duo units to meet demand, CEO John Ternus said on Monday, according to MacRumors.
Speaking to Reuters after Apple's fiscal fourth-quarter report, Ternus described the foldable as supply-constrained. "Duo is constrained as of today," he said, adding that the ramp is going well and that Apple is working to reach as many customers as quickly as it can. He also said the company cannot predict when supply and demand will come into balance.
Long waits for new orders
MacRumors reports that orders placed on November 2 show delivery estimates in January, and that Apple Stores have had little stock available for online reservations. Earlier in October, the site reported that some store employees had been told to steer walk-in customers without pre-orders away from the device.
Apple's record September-quarter revenue of $114.5 billion does not include any iPhone Duo sales, because the phone went on sale after the quarter ended. The shortage will therefore show up in the December-quarter numbers rather than the ones released this week.
Display complaints
Ternus also addressed the display problems that some owners have described. According to MacRumors, he said a "very small percentage" of units have been returned and that Apple is offering replacements. Last week Apple said it was aware of an issue affecting the inner display of some units and told affected customers to contact AppleCare. Owners have reported screens cracking along the hinge, sometimes with a line of bright pixels on one side.
Apple has not said how many units are affected, and it has not published figures for iPhone Duo production or sales.
What it means for buyers
For anyone still planning to buy, the practical advice is to expect a wait. Delivery dates can change as Apple's stock position shifts, so checking Apple's online store or the Apple Store app for current estimates is the most reliable way to track availability.
The comments came on the same call in which Apple's executives warned that memory costs are rising and that Mac and iPad supply will be constrained. Ternus's remarks on the Duo, however, were directed specifically at the foldable and did not set out a timeline for improvement.
Source: MacRumors, citing Ternus's comments to Reuters.
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