Apple’s first foldable iPhone hasn’t even reached stores yet, but scalpers are already making money from its limited availability.
Within hours of pre-orders opening Friday, an iPhone Duo sold on eBay for $5,000, nearly $2,000 above Apple’s retail price.
The completed sale was for a 2TB iPhone Duo in Night Sky, a configuration Apple sells for $3,199. That gave the reseller a premium of $1,801 before eBay fees, on a phone that hasn’t even reached customers yet.
Apple’s Supply Shortage Is Fueling Resale Prices
The rush to buy from resellers comes after iPhone Duo shipping estimates slipped into 2027 within minutes of pre-orders opening.
By Friday morning, Apple’s U.S. online store was quoting January 25 delivery dates across every color and storage configuration, leaving customers who missed the initial ordering window without a way to secure one before Christmas.
Finding one in person may not be any easier. Apple retail employees have reportedly been instructed to warn customers that walk-in inventory is unlikely to be available when the Duo officially launches on October 23.
The shortages were anticipated. Earlier reports of manufacturing challenges suggested Apple would struggle to produce enough units for the initial launch, raising questions about its decision to begin pre-orders before building up more inventory.
Apple has described demand as “extraordinary,” although the company hasn’t disclosed how many units were available for launch.
Why Buyers Are Paying So Much More
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first book-style foldable, combining a 5.4-inch outer display with a 7.6-inch screen that opens like a small tablet.
That new design, combined with limited early inventory, has created an opportunity for resellers to charge substantial premiums to buyers unwilling to wait until 2027.
For anyone still looking to purchase one at retail, Apple’s online store remains an option, although current delivery estimates stretch into January.
Third-party retailers may offer earlier availability, but paying nearly $2,000 extra through a reseller is a steep price for avoiding a few months of waiting.
