Scalpers outside Beijing Apple store offer $448 premium for iPhone Duo on launch day

Demand outpaces supply as Apple's first foldable launches in China, the world's largest foldable phone market

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

On the global launch day of Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, scalpers gathered outside the flagship store in Beijing's Sanlitun shopping district, offering to pay customers an extra 3,000 yuan ($448) to buy their newly purchased devices on the spot, citing tight supply as the reason for the premium.

The iPhone Duo, Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market, drew a crowd of about 100 pre-order customers at the Beijing store on Friday, with some arriving as early as 6 a.m. Scalper Alex Wang told CNBC he expected to be able to resell the Duo at a higher price for half a month due to what he called tight supply.

Apple had restricted walk-in purchases on launch day in mainland China and limited online orders to two phones per customer. Some walk-in customers without reservations still tried their luck. Zhang Zheng said he had attempted to order online but was discouraged by a delivery timeline stretching to January 2027, though he still wanted a device for work and because "it's cool to look at."

Customer Mary Tong, first in line, described Apple as a "laggard" in foldables and said many Chinese consumers prefer the form factor. Huawei, which already has a broad range of foldable phones, launched the trifold Mate XT2 at about $3,000 in early September, days before Apple's announcement. Xiaomi also introduced its own foldable, the 18 Fold, around the same time.

Interest in Apple Intelligence was subdued. John Zhao, a Duo customer, said he tried the AI system abroad and found it "nice but not beyond imagination," and expected the Chinese version to be less exciting. Apple has said a version for mainland China will begin beta testing this month, with features including live translation, Clean Up in photos, and writing tools. Beijing approved Alibaba AI models for use in Apple devices in mid-October, and Apple received regulatory clearance over the summer. Former CEO Tim Cook was cited by Chinese state media as saying the revamped Siri AI would not yet be available in the country.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Scalping at launch indicates strong demand and constrained supply for Apple's first foldable, potentially driving up resale prices and testing Apple's ability to meet demand.
The launch is a key moment for Apple under its new CEO, as the company enters a niche but growing market where rivals already have a foothold.
China is the world's largest foldable phone market, making the success of the Duo crucial for Apple's competitiveness in the region.

Background

The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable phone, carrying an eye-popping price tag according to the report.
According to Counterpoint Research, China is the single largest market for foldable devices globally.
Huawei and Xiaomi have already launched competing foldable models in China, with Huawei unveiling the Mate XT2 trifold at around $3,000 in September.
Apple is rolling out its AI system in China, having secured regulatory clearance and approval for Alibaba AI models. A beta launch is expected later this month.

Key Perspectives

Alex Wang (scalper): "I feel the Duo can be sold with a higher price for half a month... The main reason is the tight supply."
Mary Tong (customer): "Apple has been the laggard... I think many Chinese do prefer foldable phones."
Zhang Zheng (customer): "I think it will be useful for work and it's cool to look at."
John Zhao (customer): Apple Intelligence was "nice but not beyond imagination" and expected the Chinese version to be less exciting.

What to Watch

Whether supply constraints ease over the next few weeks, or if scalper premiums persist, which would suggest sustained demand.
The beta launch of Apple Intelligence in mainland China later this month, and whether it boosts device appeal.
How Huawei and Xiaomi respond to the Duo's launch with their own foldable offerings, and whether Apple can capture significant market share.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedScalpers outside the Beijing store offered customers 3,000 yuan ($448) for newly purchased iPhones on the spot.US Top News and Analysis: “offering to pay customers an extra 3,000 Chinese yuan ($448) to buy their newly purchased phones on the spot.”
Partly supportedDemand outpaced supply for the launch.US Top News and Analysis: ““The main reason is the tight supply.””
SupportedChina is the world's largest foldable-phone market.US Top News and Analysis: “China's market is the single largest, according to Counterpoint Research.”
SupportedThe iPhone Duo was Apple's first foldable phone and launched globally that Friday.US Top News and Analysis: “On the day of the global launch on Friday”
SupportedAbout 100 pre-order customers were at the Beijing store.US Top News and Analysis: “Mary Tong, who was first in a line of about 100 people at the Sanlitun store”
Partly supportedSome customers arrived as early as 6 a.m.US Top News and Analysis: “showed up at 6 a.m. to pick up her foldable device.”
SupportedAlex Wang expected the Duo to resell at a higher price for half a month because of tight supply.US Top News and Analysis: ““I feel the Duo can be sold with a higher price for half a month,” he told CNBC while watching the lines of Duo customers who had pre-booked their phones. “The main reason is the tight supply.””
SupportedApple said walk-in purchases would not be available for the Duo on launch day in mainland China.US Top News and Analysis: “Apple had said the Duo would not be available for walk-in purchase on launch day in mainland China”
SupportedOnline purchases were limited to two phones per customer.US Top News and Analysis: “Each online purchase was restricted to two phones.”
SupportedZhang Zheng said the device was “cool to look at.”US Top News and Analysis: ““I think it will be useful for work and it's cool to look at,” he said.”
SupportedMary Tong called Apple a “laggard” in foldables.US Top News and Analysis: ““Apple has been the laggard,” she said.”
SupportedJohn Zhao described Apple Intelligence as “nice but not beyond imagination.”US Top News and Analysis: “Duo customer John Zhao said he had tried Apple Intelligence while working overseas, and it was “nice but not beyond imagination.””