Apple fanboys often line up outside Apple stores ahead of a new iPhone launch, typically a few hours before sales begin or the night before. But with the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, some fans have started camping out days in advance.
With Apple confirming limited stock for walk-in customers, though, even camping out days ahead of launch might not guarantee them a phone.
The iPhone Duo line starts days early
The queue for iPhone Duo walk-in purchases at Apple’s Fifth Avenue store in New York started forming Wednesday, according to a post on X from Lexus C. That’s roughly 39 hours before the foldable goes on sale Friday.
As we approach iPhone Duo launch day, people around the world have started lining up outside Apple Stores! This is Apple Galaxy Macau. We’re still 48 hours from launch time, but there’s already a huge crowd. https://t.co/EcWA7ZB9iy
— Lexus C. ᯅ (@LChenlz) October 22, 2026
The early queues aren’t limited to the US. Lexus also shared footage of a crowd outside Apple Galaxy Macau, saying people had gathered roughly 48 hours before launch.
(reported by @JurgenMeco and @ mgcf1) As we approach the 30-hour countdown, the walk-in line for iPhone Duo at Apple Fifth Ave currently has around 5-6 people waiting. And the staff has been working on the giant iPhone Duo models at the storefront! https://t.co/AoMDraTjjl
— Lexus C. ᯅ (@LChenlz) October 22, 2026
In Sydney, one Apple fan — Jeremy Cabral — got an even earlier start. He arrived outside the Apple Store at 5 p.m. Monday, hoping to become the first person to buy the foldable. He’s also using the wait to offer free business advice and raise money for homelessness, according to his LinkedIn post.
The queues will likely grow as the iPhone Duo’s launch approaches, especially in the final hours before stores open Friday morning.
A sleeping bag won’t guarantee an iPhone
With Apple having limited iPhone Duo stock for walk-in customers on launch day (October 23), camping out days ahead of launch might not guarantee anyone a phone. Unless you’re the first person in line.
iPhone Duo delivery estimates slipped to January 2027 within 30 minutes of preorders going live. That suggests strong demand for the foldable iPhone despite its high price tag, though production challenges are also contributing to the long wait. Apple is reportedly facing production challenges, leaving fewer units available at launch.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
You can reach out to him at mail[at]rajeshpandey.me.
