Lines Form at Apple Stores as First Foldable iPhone Duo Goes on Sale, but Walk-In Stock Is Scarce

Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, went on sale at Apple Store locations around the world on Friday, October 23, drawing crowds to retail outlets in many countries.

In a press release issued Friday morning, Apple published photos of the launch from various cities. Readers of 9to5Mac also shared images from their own local stores. According to Apple, customers filled its stores while employees invited them to try the first foldable iPhone, offering hands-on demonstrations and tailored shopping help.

Senior executives marked the occasion at separate locations. Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, joined retail executive Vanessa Trigub at the company's flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York.

Apple CEO John Ternus, meanwhile, was at the Domain NORTHSIDE store in Austin, Texas, together with retail chief Deirdre O'Brien. Mark Gurman has reported that Ternus toured Apple's offices in Austin earlier in the week. The city is also hosting the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix this weekend, and Apple is the exclusive F1 streamer in the US.

Queues formed outside Apple Stores worldwide overnight as people hoped to secure an iPhone Duo as a walk-in purchase. Apple had cautioned beforehand that it would have "limited" inventory in its retail stores, and that appears to have been borne out. Store employees reportedly told disappointed shoppers to check the Apple Store app on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET for details on what stock is available in stores.

9to5Mac invited readers to say whether they visited a store on launch morning to buy an iPhone Duo or collect an online order, and whether they were able to get one.