Apple is preparing new displays and large numbers of demo units for the iPhone Duo's October 23 launch, but supply will be limited, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Ahead of the October 23 launch, Apple plans to set aside a section of its Fifth Avenue flagship store for the ‌iPhone Duo‌. Most locations will add an extra spotlight table for the device, using Apple's white display tables with central posts. Gurman said a new fixture will show how the phone folds and unfolds.

The number of demonstration devices will vary considerably between locations. Fifth Avenue in New York is expected to receive more than 150 units for customers to try and for other displays, compared with nearly 100 at the Apple Park Visitor Center. Non-flagship stores will receive approximately 20 units each on average.

Three other prominent stores will fall between those allocations: Chicago's Michigan Avenue, The Grove in Los Angeles, and Manhattan's Upper West Side. Each is expected to have approximately 30 to 40 devices.

Visitors will be able to explore StandBy on untethered phones in the Avenue display areas along the sides of stores. For comparisons on store tables, Apple has designed a MagSafe stand that accommodates an open ‌iPhone Duo‌ and two conventional iPhones.

The retail preparations come as Apple faces tighter supply than it had anticipated. According to Gurman, around two months ago the company believed production constraints could prevent sales from starting until later in November. It has since assembled sufficient inventory to proceed with this month's release, although stock is expected to remain limited.

Apple is also equipping stores with "Presto" machines adapted for the ‌iPhone Duo‌. Apple's wireless system can install software updates without opening an iPhone's packaging, and will also add the buyer's name to the greeting displayed during the device's first startup. Gurman previously said the personalized greeting will be offered in U.S. Apple Stores in English and Spanish.

‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders open October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with sales starting on October 23. The 256GB model starts at $1,999 in the United States.
This article, "Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has something special planned for customers who purchase an iPhone Duo in an Apple Store. Employees will be able to customize the Duo so it displays the name of the buyer at the "Hello" screen when it turns on for the first time.


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple retail stores in the United States will have a personalization system for adding the buyer's name to an ‌iPhone Duo‌, with English and Spanish language options.

Fun little touch for the iPhone Duo launch: Apple retail stores will have a system to customize the boot of the device with the buyer's name so it says "Hello, Mark" (for example) when it turns on for the first time. (US only, Duo only, English and Spanish).

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 9, 2026

Presumably, the name option will be available for devices ordered for in-store pickup and devices purchased in person.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will be available for pre-order starting on October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, and it will launch on October 23. Pricing starts at $1,999.
This article, "Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The final three weeks of October are going to be extremely busy for Apple, so we have recapped some key dates below if you want to mark your calendar.


Apple will be announcing new products on October 13, the iPhone Duo launches on October 23, and even more products are expected to debut on October 27.

Here are six important Apple dates coming up this month:

• Monday, October 12: You can get ready for your iPhone Duo pre-order.


• Tuesday, October 13: Apple is holding a "Welcome home" experience to unveil an all-new smart home hub, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K.


• Friday, October 16: iPhone Duo pre-orders begin at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.


• Friday, October 23: iPhone Duo launches.


• Tuesday, October 27: While not yet officially announced, Apple reportedly plans to unveil even more new products on this day, including redesigned MacBook Pro models with OLED touchscreens, an iPad mini with an OLED display, a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M6 chip, and an iMac with an M6 chip.


• Friday, October 30: iPhone Duo launches in 28 additional countries and regions.

Apple said the iPhone Duo will ship with iOS 27.1, while iOS 27.2 is expected to be released to the public at some point in October too.

Finally, Apple plans to release a Mac Studio with 512GB of RAM in "late October," but it has yet to announce a specific release date.
This article, "Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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