iPhone Duo demand pushes some Best Buy orders into December

Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo officially arrives Oct. 23, with preorders available through Best Buy in select configurations.(Photo courtesy of Apple)If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.By Josie Howell | jhowell@al.comApple’s first foldable iPhone officially arrives Friday, Oct. 23, but finding one on release day may be difficult. iPhone Duo preorders are open at Best Buy, although delivery and pickup estimates for several configurations have already moved into November or December.The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999.99 for 256GB at Best Buy. The 512GB version costs $2,199.99, followed by the 1TB model at $2,599.99 and 2TB model at $3,199.99. Color choices include Star White and Night Sky.Best Buy currently carries AT&T and Verizon versions of the foldable iPhone. Availability depends on the carrier, color and storage capacity selected. At the time of publication, some configurations showed pickup or delivery estimates beginning in early November, while others were delayed until December.Apple has also confirmed that only a limited number of iPhone Duo devices will be available for walk-in purchases at select U.S. stores on release day. Online demand pushed estimated delivery dates for some Apple orders into 2027, so Best Buy may provide an earlier route for certain configurations.Does Best Buy have an iPhone Duo trade-in deal?Best Buy advertises savings of up to $1,200 with a qualified AT&T activation and eligible trade-in. The final credit depends on the phone being traded, its condition and the wireless plan selected.Monthly carrier financing is also available. The 256GB iPhone Duo starts at approximately $55.56 per month for 36 months with 0% APR, subject to carrier and credit requirements.The iPhone Duo opens from a 5.4-inch outer screen into a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display. Its larger screen supports two apps side by side, two windows from the same app and saved app pairings. The phone also uses Apple’s A20 Pro chip and includes two 48MP rear cameras, Touch ID and up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer display.Apple Pencil support is expected through a future software update. The foldable phone is scheduled for its full retail release Oct. 23, but customers hoping to get one soon should check the estimated fulfillment date for their exact Best Buy configuration before ordering.How does the iPhone Duo compare with Samsung foldables?The iPhone Duo’s closest Samsung rival is the Galaxy Z Fold8, not the smaller Galaxy Z Flip8. Both book-style phones open into 7.6-inch displays, but the $1,899.99 Galaxy Z Fold8 costs $100 less than the iPhone Duo and weighs considerably less. Samsung’s model weighs 201 grams, compared with 254 grams for the Duo.Samsung also has eight generations of foldable-phone experience behind the Fold8. The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first attempt, but it brings the foldable design into the iOS ecosystem with an A20 Pro chip, side-by-side apps and Apple Pencil support expected later this year. The better choice largely depends on whether the buyer prefers iOS or Android and how much they value the Fold8’s lighter construction.The Galaxy Z Flip8 serves a different purpose. It folds a traditional smartphone into a smaller square instead of opening into a tablet-sized display.What is the Apple iPhone Duo Reachability update?Apple plans to add a Duo-specific version of Reachability through a software update later this year. Reachability normally lowers the top portion of an iPhone screen so controls are easier to access with one hand.On the wider iPhone Duo, the feature will shift the interface toward the left or right side of the screen. This should make icons and controls along the opposite edge easier to reach without adjusting your grip or using both hands. Apple has not announced an exact release date or confirmed which iOS 27 update will include it.Walmart’s 28-inch Blackstone griddle is only $197 right nowLEGO’s new Wednesday Backpack set has room for photos and keepsakesMomcozy’s AutoMeal baby food maker is on sale for under $100Michael Kors’ $400 leopard print Ashton bag is on sale for $100Stanley’s new District Pulse Mug keeps coffee hot for hoursJosie Howell is a commerce and news writer for AL.com where she primarily focuses on shopping and streaming content. She began her career in 2019 as an editor for The Chanticleer, Jacksonville State...