New Delhi: Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is facing a supply crunch in India, with some retailers reportedly demanding up to ₹1 lakh above its official price. The shortage has created an unofficial market for buyers unwilling to wait for fresh stock, pushing the cost of an already expensive smartphone close to ₹4 lakh for the base variant.
The iPhone Duo officially starts at ₹2,99,900 for the 256GB model and went on sale in India on October 23, 2026. However, limited launch inventory and strong pre-booking demand have made the device difficult to obtain through regular retail channels.
Several of whom said they were charging substantial premiums because customers wanted to secure the phone immediately. Retailers in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida reportedly received only around 10 units each, while some buyers were being asked to pay an additional ₹70,000 to ₹1 lakh.
The situation highlights the demand for Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone segment, while raising questions about stock allocation, resale practices and the risks buyers face when purchasing expensive devices outside authorised retail channels.
Limited supply pushes unofficial prices higher
The shortage appears to have intensified as initial supplies failed to meet retailer expectations. According to the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), some prominent retailers had expected allocations of around 100 units across iPhone Duo variants but received only five to seven devices.
This limited availability has made it difficult for retailers to confirm delivery dates or accept pre-bookings with confidence. Buyers who want the smartphone immediately are consequently turning to sellers who claim to have stock available at a premium.
AIMRA, which represents more than 1.5 lakh mainline mobile retailers across India, told India Today Tech that some customers were willing to pay between ₹25,000 and ₹1 lakh above the maximum retail price to secure a device.
However, the association also said some retailers were refusing to charge additional amounts to long-standing customers, choosing to maintain their established relationships rather than take advantage of the shortage.
The reported premiums are not Apple’s official prices. They reflect amounts demanded by some sellers in an unofficial resale market and may vary according to storage capacity, colour, availability and location.
What is the official iPhone Duo price?
Apple has positioned the iPhone Duo at the top end of India’s smartphone market. Its official pricing begins at nearly ₹3 lakh and rises considerably for higher storage configurations.
| Storage variant | Official price in India |
|---|---|
| 256GB | ₹2,99,900 |
| 512GB | ₹3,24,900 |
| 1TB | ₹3,74,900 |
| 2TB | ₹4,49,900 |
The price of the base model could approach ₹4 lakh if a buyer agrees to pay an additional ₹1 lakh to an unofficial seller. For the higher-capacity models, the final amount could be substantially greater.
The device is Apple’s first foldable iPhone and features a design that opens into a larger display for multitasking, entertainment and productivity. Its premium materials, new form factor and high-end specifications contribute to its position in the ultra-premium segment.
For customers considering a purchase, however, the key distinction is between Apple’s listed retail price and the amount being demanded by a reseller. Paying a premium does not add new features or improve the device’s performance.
Strong pre-bookings signal interest in foldable phones
Despite the high price, early interest in the iPhone Duo has reportedly exceeded expectations. Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research told India Today Tech that initial pre-booking numbers were around three times the level recorded at the time of the announcement.
Pathak said the pricing reflected factors including import duties and foreign-exchange costs, which could also encourage some buyers to explore purchasing the device overseas.
He does not expect Apple’s entry to immediately displace Samsung from its position as the leading player in India’s foldable smartphone market. Instead, the iPhone Duo could help increase awareness of foldable devices and encourage app developers to improve their software for larger, flexible screens.
Pathak also expects annual foldable smartphone sales in India to cross 10 lakh units next year. That outlook points to potential growth for the category, although actual sales will depend on pricing, product availability and consumer demand.
The shortage is not confined to India. India Today Tech reported that some iPhone Duo units were resold at substantial premiums in the United States, where listings for certain configurations also attracted prices well above Apple’s retail rates.
Why is Apple’s first foldable iPhone attracting attention?
The iPhone Duo marks a significant change in Apple’s smartphone design strategy. Foldable devices have been available from competitors for several years, but Apple’s entry brings its software ecosystem and hardware design to the category.
The phone offers a compact outer display when folded and a larger internal screen when opened. This design is intended to combine the portability of a conventional smartphone with a screen better suited to watching videos, reading, gaming and multitasking.
Its launch has also increased attention on the premium foldable market in India, where high-end smartphones have attracted buyers despite their elevated prices.
However, strong early demand does not automatically mean that every buyer should pay a substantial premium. Consumers should consider whether they need a foldable phone immediately or whether waiting for regular retail availability would be more practical.
Risks of buying from the black market
Purchasing a smartphone from an unofficial seller can involve risks beyond the higher price. Buyers may not receive a proper invoice, may have difficulty confirming the device’s origin, or may face uncertainty over warranty coverage and after-sales service.
A phone imported from another country may also have different warranty conditions or regional limitations. Customers should verify the device’s model number, activation status and eligibility for service in India before completing a purchase.
Buyers should be particularly cautious if a seller requests payment without providing a written invoice or refuses to disclose the phone’s serial number and warranty terms. For a device costing several lakh rupees, these checks are important.
Purchasing through Apple or an authorised retail partner provides a clearer route for verifying the product, understanding the applicable warranty and obtaining support. Customers can also check official stock and delivery estimates before deciding whether to wait.
Will iPhone Duo availability improve?
The immediate outlook depends on how quickly Apple and its distribution partners can replenish stocks. Retailers have reported severe restrictions in initial allocations, while some online delivery estimates have extended into 2027.
Apple’s online store has also limited customers to two iPhone Duo units per order, a measure that may help manage demand and discourage bulk purchases by resellers.
The company has not publicly confirmed a detailed timeline for when supply will catch up with demand in India. Until more devices reach authorised retailers, unofficial sellers may continue to target customers who want the phone without waiting.
For most buyers, monitoring official availability and comparing the benefits of immediate purchase against the additional cost is the more prudent approach.
The iPhone Duo’s launch demonstrates the strength of interest in Apple’s first foldable smartphone, but the reported premiums also show how scarcity can distort prices. Whether the unofficial market remains active will depend largely on how quickly regular supplies improve.