CNBC reported that scalpers in Beijing offered customers an extra 3,000 yuan ($448) for iPhone Duo handsets shortly after purchase Friday, as Apple began worldwide sales of its first foldable phone.
The offers were made outside Apple’s Sanlitun flagship, CNBC reported. Scalper Alex Wang told CNBC he expected the price premium to persist for about two weeks, citing tight supply.
Apple said its mainland China stores would not sell the device to walk-in customers on launch day. Each online purchase was limited to two phones, while availability in other markets would be restricted.
Zhang Zheng told CNBC an estimated delivery date extending to January 2027 discouraged him from ordering online, though he still wanted the phone. EconoTimes previously reported delivery estimates extending to late January as the Duo began reaching buyers.
Counterpoint Research ranks China as the world’s largest foldable-phone market, CNBC reported. CNBC also reported that Huawei’s Mate XT2 entered the market Sept. 7 at about $3,000 and that Xiaomi had recently unveiled its 18 Fold.
