Apple says iPhone Duo not available walk-in in two countries

For a limited time, iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available only to customers with a pickup reservation at Apple Stores in Japan and South Korea, according to notices on Apple’s localized websites for those countries.

Reviews suggest that the iPhone Duo will not be available to walk-in customers at Apple retail locations in Japan and South Korea when the device launches on Friday, October 23, likely due to a combination of supply constraints and Apple’s usual anti-scalping measures in Asia. It is unclear whether this policy will extend to other countries.

iPhone Duo pre-orders began on Friday, with shipping estimates on Apple’s online store for newly placed orders pushed back to January 25 within the first 30 minutes of pre-orders beginning. In a statement released later Friday, Apple said demand for the iPhone Duo was “simply extraordinary” and that it was “working hard” to fulfill orders “as quickly as possible.” Apple has not disclosed any specific sales figures.

Apple’s online store says customers looking to reserve the iPhone Duo for pickup at the Apple Store should check back on Saturday, October 24 for more information.

The iPhone Duo is expected to be on display in Apple Stores around the world starting Friday, October 23, but it’s not yet entirely clear whether the device will be available to walk-in customers in the United States or any other country except Japan and South Korea. Our own Hartley Charlton reported that some Apple Store managers advised employees to warn customers against trying to purchase the iPhone Duo without an appointment at launch, but this was not a company-wide communication and Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.

It seems safe to say that even if some Apple Stores offer the iPhone Duo to walk-in customers, inventory will be extremely limited at first.