On October 16, 2026, Apple’s U.S. preorder delivery estimates moved into January in two reports, though the reports gave different dates. MacRumors said estimates reached January 25 by 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time; The Independent reported January 22 estimates on the U.S. and U.K. Apple stores at 1:30 p.m. UK time. MacRumors and The Independent recorded separate snapshots of the preorder queue.
The U.S. reports gave two January dates
Apple’s U.S. preorders opened at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on October 16. MacRumors reported that estimates first moved from the scheduled October 23 delivery date to November within minutes, then reached January 25 by 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The Independent reported January 22 estimates on the U.S. and U.K. stores at 1:30 p.m. UK time, about 30 minutes after preorders opened. The dates are distinct reported snapshots, not one settled delivery date.
Italy had its own preorder-day shift
In Italy, preorders opened at 2 p.m. local time on October 16. DDay.it reported that delivery estimates had moved to late November about ten minutes later, then to January 25 about an hour after opening. Those estimates describe the Italian Apple Store, not U.S. orders. DDay.it reported the Italian timing.
A delivery estimate is not a preorder total
Apple described iPhone Duo demand as extraordinary in a statement to the Financial Times, as reported by MacRumors. That is a qualitative description. A delivery estimate tracks a place in the order queue against available fulfillment capacity; it is not a count of phones sold.
For context on the device itself, NeoTeo’s earlier hands-on coverage of the iPhone Duo looks at its hardware rather than preorder timing.
Apple’s U.S. store listed the iPhone Duo as available starting October 23, 2026. Apple’s U.S. order page
