Brief
Apple gauges demand for $3,499 iPhone Duo as launch looms
Bank of America and UBS note shorter ship times for the iPhone 18 Pro series, suggesting buyers may be waiting for the upcoming Duo.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Apple analysts are questioning whether consumers are holding off on upgrades in anticipation of the iPhone Duo, a foldable phone priced at $3,499 in Australia and slated for release on October 23, 2026, according to an opinion piece by Dave Lee in the Sydney Morning Herald.
What happened
The iPhone Pro line, released three weeks ago, has shown muted demand compared with the previous year’s models. Bank of America reported that the global average ship time for the iPhone 18 Pro is 14 days, down from 18 days for the iPhone 17 Pro, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max ships in 18 days, versus 25 days last year. UBS observed a similar trend, noting the shorter wait times but also acknowledging the possibility that consumers are delaying purchases for the upcoming foldable.
What the reports add
Bank of America’s data highlights a reduction of four days in average delivery for the standard Pro model and seven days for the Pro Max. UBS’s commentary adds that the observed dip could indicate a strategic pause by buyers awaiting the Duo, though the firm stops short of confirming that as the sole cause.
What was said
Lee quoted Bank of America: “Globally, on average, ship time for the iPhone 18 Pro is currently at 14 days (vs. 18 days for iPhone 17 Pro) while iPhone 18 Pro Max stands at 18 days (vs. 25 days last year).” He also cited UBS: “While we acknowledge the possibility that muted wait times for the Pro and Pro Max could suggest consumers are delaying their purchase decisions for the Duo, we believe that the $US …” (the quote is truncated in the source).
How it came about
The iPhone Duo follows Apple’s recent foldable rollout, first detailed in Felo News’s September 30 coverage of Apple’s and Samsung’s foldable launches. The new model is expected to lift Apple’s average selling price and signal continued innovation under chief John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook earlier this year.
Key facts
- Apple’s iPhone Duo foldable is priced at $3,499 in Australia and launches on October 23, 2026. (smh.com.au)
- Bank of America reported average ship time for the iPhone 18 Pro at 14 days, down from 18 days for the previous model. (smh.com.au)
- UBS noted shorter wait times for the iPhone 18 Pro series and suggested consumers might be waiting for the Duo. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Apple’s big question. Will customers swallow its $3500 foldable phone?”
