Queues Are Sparse for the Rp75 Million iPhone Duo — Here’s Why
Jakarta — Apple officially launched its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, globally last Friday (23 October). Customers in several countries could buy it immediately at official Apple Stores, while Indonesian buyers must wait until 30 October.
In Indonesia, the iPhone Duo is officially sold through authorised distributors, including iBox and Digimap. Pre-orders opened last week and, reportedly, stocks sold out quickly.
Demand has surged, while supplies of the iPhone Duo are also limited, meaning relatively few customers have managed to secure Apple’s first foldable phone. In Indonesia, the price reaches Rp75 million.
According to a Reuters report on Monday (26 October 2026), however, the launch of the iPhone Duo has been noticeably quieter than previous major iPhone launches.
Reuters observations in Singapore, Shanghai, London and San Francisco indicated that consumer demand remains strong. But sales quotas have made the long queues and overnight camping that once became an Apple launch tradition increasingly rare.
The iPhone Duo launch is also a test for Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus. The former head of hardware, who took the top job at Apple in September, faces an immediate test of whether he can transform the foldable-phone market, as the original iPhone once reshaped the global smartphone industry.
The market responded swiftly. Within minutes of pre-orders opening last week, estimated delivery dates for the iPhone Duo had slipped to late January 2027, as orders surged beyond available supply. Apple described the market response as “extraordinary”.
To curb reselling, Apple has limited purchases to two units per customer. In several key markets, including China, France, Hong Kong, India and Japan, units are being prioritised for customers who ordered online.
Positive and negative reviews from the market and analysts
Apple’s move into foldable phones is expected to dramatically alter the industry. Market research firm IDC forecasts that Apple will capture 44% of the global foldable-phone market by value in 2026, with a 31% share of unit shipments, before becoming the world’s leading foldable-phone maker in 2027.
Initial reviews from technology reviewers have been mixed:
Design and hinge: The phone has been widely praised for its sturdy hinge and nearly invisible screen crease, addressing a longstanding weakness of competitors such as Samsung and Huawei.
Cameras and apps: The lack of a telephoto lens, along with the fact that many third-party apps have yet to be optimised for the new screen ratio, has given some buyers pause.
Practicality: When folded, its size is considered somewhat inconvenient for fast-paced everyday use.
Prominent Apple commentator John Gruber said using the iPhone Duo felt like holding a highly polished prototype rather than an ideal finished product for daily use. Well-known reviewer Marques Brownlee, meanwhile, said it was not a good fit for mainstream users, except those willing to spend US$2,000 (around Rp36.2 million) to try a premium foldable phone.
iPhone Duo prices in Indonesia
As is usually the case, new iPhone models sold in Indonesia tend to cost more than their global prices because of import duties. The iPhone Duo prices available in Indonesia are:
iPhone Duo 256GB: Rp45,678,910
iPhone Duo 512GB: Rp51,999,000
iPhone Duo 1TB: Rp61,999,000
iPhone Duo 2TB: Rp75,999,000