According to a New report from MacRumorsApple employees have been told to warn customers that the iPhone Duo may not be available for purchase on launch day if you do not pre-order.
Now, Apple’s website suggests that you can check back for iPhone Duo availability on October 24. However, this is not a guarantee of any stock that actually exists, per se MacRumors:
Apple Store employees told MacRumors that they have been advised that there will likely be no iPhone Duo stock available for walk-in purchases on launch day. Staff have been instructed to discourage customers without pre-orders from expecting to buy the device, warning they will be disappointed.
This is not surprising, given the fact that Apple said yesterday that demand for the iPhone Duo is “extraordinary”, and we have known for a long time that there are production constraints that make the supply of the iPhone Duo limited around launch.
However, this is also our first real sign that even if you line up at an Apple Store the night before the iPhone Duo launch, you might not actually get the device. Some stores may not receive additional deliveries beyond those already ordered.
Currently, the iPhone Duo is sold out in January. If these supply constraints persist, it may be challenging to purchase equipment in the near future. Scalpers have also charged absurd markups on iPhone Duo orders close to the launch date.
If you really want an iPhone Duo soon, the carrier and Best Buy seem like decent bets, at least in the US.
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