Apple’s new foldable, the iPhone Duo, has already surged in the resale market with some listings fetching up to $5,000 on eBay—nearly double the original cost. Shortly after Apple’s pre-orders opened, high-end variants were snapped up by resellers as shipping estimates on Apple’s website slipped into early 2027. These listings illuminate both the demand for premium foldables and frustrations around wait times.
Record Resale Prices
One eBay listing reportedly sold for $5,000 for a Night Sky-colored iPhone Duo with 2TB storage—though Apple sells that same model for $3,199. That’s a mark-up of around $1,800. Another listing of the Night Sky version with 1TB was sold for $4,400 despite Apple’s MSRP being $2,599 for that configuration.
Pre-Orders Sell Out as Wait Times Stretch
Within minutes of pre-orders going live, all iPhone Duo models apparently sold out on Apple’s U.S. online store. As of 6:45 a.m. Pacific Time on the pre-order day, the shipping date for all configurations was pushed to January 25, 2027. That’s nearly three months away for many buyers.
Why This is Happening
The premium charged on eBay reflects scarcity. Early supply appears limited, especially for top-tier storage and finish options. Resellers are capitalizing on this by buying now and selling later at much higher prices. Apple’s delayed shipping estimates reinforce the perception that supplies are tight, especially in high demand segments.
Supply constraints like these aren’t new in the foldable space. Complex hinge mechanisms, display engineering challenges, and manufacturing yield issues often lead to low initial output. These limitations seem to be contributing to today’s elevated prices and lengthy waits.
What to Watch
If you’re considering buying an iPhone Duo, understand you’re competing with resellers who are buying in bulk or gambled on scarcity. It may be wise to wait until availability stabilizes, or until verified sellers can show more realistic timelines. Keep an eye on Apple’s shipping updates, and be cautious of dramatically marked-up prices—it’ll often be cheaper in the long run to wait.
