You Can Get The iPhone Duo In India Today But It Could Cost You Rs 50,000 More

Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, goes on sale in India today but getting your hands on one (even if you're ready to pay Rs 3 lakh), is difficult. The phone reportedly sold out completely within a week of pre-order which is why it is nearly impossible to just walk into an Apple store to buy one. But if you want to get the phone regardless, it may cost you Rs 50,000 more.

Grey-market sellers are reportedly offering the device at a premium of up to Rs 50,000. On the other hand, Apple has also reportedly asked its suppliers to increase production targets by 44% to meet demand.

iPhone Duo shortage pushes grey-market prices higher

According to a Livemint report, Apple is expecting around 6,000 units of the iPhone Duo to reach India during the first week of sales. The reported supply is falling short of demand, with some retailers receiving far fewer units than they requested. One store in Delhi reportedly asked for 100 units but was allocated only five.

Some smaller retailers are also said to be uncertain about whether they will have any units available on launch day. This limited availability has created an opportunity for grey-market sellers, who are reportedly sourcing the iPhone Duo from markets such as Dubai and Singapore before reselling it in India at higher prices.

It is to be noted that paying the premium does not get you any additional features. It is just the cost of getting the phone sooner. There are also potential drawbacks to buying through unofficial channels, including the possibility of not receiving an Indian bill or the same warranty and service support available through Apple and its authorised retailers.

Apple has also not officially confirmed the reported Indian supply figures or grey-market prices.

Apple increases iPhone Duo production target by 44%

According to a separate report by GSMArena, citing supply chain sources, Apple has asked Foxconn and component suppliers to raise the iPhone Duo's production target from 9.7 million units to 14 million units for the first 12 months of production.

That represents an increase of around 44% and suggests that Apple is preparing for stronger demand than initially anticipated. However, the higher target does not guarantee that more phones will immediately reach stores.

Earlier reports pointed to manufacturing difficulties involving the phone's assembly, displays and hinges. These issues could affect how quickly suppliers can increase output, even with higher production targets.

Should you pay Rs 50,000 extra for the iPhone Duo?

Now, time for the Rs 3.5 lakh question. Should you pay extra to get the iPhone Duo from a grey-market seller? The choice is basically between waiting for official stock or paying more to get the phone through an unofficial seller. At a premium of Rs 50,000, the iPhone Duo will cost Rs 3,49,900 for the starting 256 GB variant, compared with its official starting price of Rs 2,99,900.

The price difference here is quite noticeable, especially for a device that already costs nearly Rs 3 lakh. You should also consider the risks associated with unofficial purchases, including billing, warranty and after-sales support.

If you are not in a hurry, waiting for stock at Apple Stores or authorised retailers is the better option. Apple's reported production increase could help improve availability over time.