iPhone Duo shortage in India causing grey market sellers to demand Rs 50,000 over the actual price: report
Whoever thought Apple had “overpriced” the iPhone Duo clearly doesn’t know the iPhone fans’ game. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is proving difficult to get in India, even for buyers willing to spend nearly Rs 3 lakh on it. The Duo reportedly sold out within minutes of pre-orders opening on October 16th, pushing delivery estimates into January next year. With launch stock limited to 6,000 units in India as per a report by Livemint, grey market sellers are now asking up to Rs 50,000 extra for the phone.
The iPhone Duo starts at Rs 2,99,900 for the 256GB model, going up to Rs 4,49,900 for the 2TB version. Buyers placing fresh orders are reportedly facing delivery estimates as late as January 23rd, 2027.
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iPhone Duo shortage
The shortage appears to be partly due to manufacturing difficulties with Apple’s first foldable phone. A report by Chinese publication Jiemian News, citing a source close to Foxconn’s supply chain, said final assembly yields were only slightly above 60 percent as of September 17th. In other words, a sizeable share of units on the production line were not passing quality checks.
The reported problems also involve Samsung Display’s foldable OLED panels and hinge components, with low production yields, delayed deliveries and design changes affecting the manufacturing process. The report said Foxconn was still adjusting its equipment and assembly methods to meet Apple’s quality requirements. Apple hasn’t publicly confirmed these production issues.
With official supplies limited, grey-market sellers are reportedly sourcing units from Dubai and Singapore, where the phone may be available sooner. The reported premium ranges from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 above Apple’s Indian prices. Apple has also limited purchases to two iPhone Duo units per customer on its website and app. The restriction could help curb bulk purchases by resellers, but it won’t resolve the underlying supply problem.
Should you buy the iPhone Duo now?
The iPhone Duo starts at a considerably higher price than rival foldables such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which launched at around Rs 1.8 lakh in India. Buyers should consider whether Apple’s foldable design and iOS experience justify the price difference, especially with unofficial sellers asking even more.
Buying from grey-market sellers can also mean missing out on an Indian invoice and the warranty and service support available through authorised retail channels. For those set on buying the iPhone Duo, waiting for official stock is the safer choice. Paying an extra Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 only gets you the phone sooner, with no additional features. Apple has not confirmed the reported allocation, and availability could improve as more units reach India.
