Apple Says Timing Unclear For Easing iPhone Duo Backlog

Apple executives told investors this week they can’t say when shipments of the new iPhone Duo will catch up with demand, as customers face delivery windows that in many cases stretch into the coming year. Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan acknowledged production is ramping, but said predicting when orders and supply will line up remains uncertain.

Shoppers who didn’t get devices at launch or grab early preorders are finding fulfillment dates pushed far out. Some carriers and resellers report long waitlists, and consumers who expected phones before the holidays are now revising plans. Retailers and Apple’s online store have shown limited stock since the device went on sale, heightening frustration among buyers who hoped for a quicker turnaround.

The delays add an unusual blemish to Apple’s reputation for tightly run production and logistics. Company officials pointed to broader industry pressures — in particular a surge in demand for memory chips driven by artificial intelligence applications — as a factor that has raised component prices and tightened supply for multiple vendors. Khan said Apple has reluctantly adjusted prices on several items in response to those cost increases.

Carriers have tried to soften the blow for customers affected by the slow deliveries. For example, one large U.S. wireless provider has issued credits to some subscribers who faced lengthy preorder delays. Analysts see such gestures as short-term fixes while manufacturers sort out production bottlenecks.

Apple also described moves to secure more of the materials it needs for the Duo. The company said it is expanding its relationship with a titanium supplier to help meet demand for the foldable device’s components, a step meant to smooth future manufacturing. CEO John Ternus told investors the early reception from reviewers and buyers has been strong, and that the company is focused on closing the gap between orders and availability.

Supply-chain experts caution there’s no simple timetable for when the tightness will ease. “Manufacturing scale-ups can hit yield and parts snags that are hard to timetable,” said Laura Chen, a consultant who advises consumer-electronics firms. She added that while companies can fast-track some elements, others — like specialty metals and chips — often dictate how quickly production can expand. That makes it likely customers will see staggered improvement rather than a sudden end to delays.