Apple Sells 23,000 Foldable iPhones on Launch Day Despite Limited Store Inventory

Apple sold 23,000 units of its new foldable smartphone on the first day of retail sales. The iPhone Duo became available for purchase in brick-and-mortar locations on Friday, October 23. The figure represents the total volume moved through the company's physical retail network during the initial launch window.

The device marks the first time Apple has entered the folding display segment. The company published a press release on Friday morning containing launch photography from various global cities. Retail staff assisted customers with hands-on demonstrations and personalized shopping guidance throughout the day. Senior leadership visited key locations to oversee the rollout.

Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, attended the flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York alongside Vanessa Trigub, who heads retail operations. John Ternus, Apple's chief executive officer, was present at the Domain NORTHSIDE store in Austin, Texas. He was joined by Deirdre O'Brien, the company's retail chief. Ternus had toured Apple's Austin offices earlier in the week while the city hosted the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, for which Apple serves as the exclusive streaming partner in the United States.

Shoppers arrived overnight to secure in-store purchases, forming long lines outside retail outlets. Apple had previously warned that physical inventory would be limited. Store employees informed disappointed customers to check the Apple Store application on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET for updated stock levels. The company invited readers to report on their launch day experiences regarding both new purchases and online order pickups.