Highlights
- iPhone Duo scalpers in China are reportedly facing losses as resale prices have dropped sharply.
- Many resellers who bought devices in bulk expecting strong demand are now struggling to recover their investment.
- Several factors including reports of hinge-related issues, an unfinished software experience, faster supply and the phone’s high starting price are the reasons behind low demand.
Apple’s first foldable smartphone turned into a setback for resellers who bought multiple units expecting to make profits. It appears iPhone Duo’s resale prices have dropped sharply within a week of its launch and that is leaving many scalpers with losses.
Several local merchants in China have reported that demand has cooled faster than expected. Concerns about the phone’s hinge and unfinished software experience along with improving supply appear to have affected resale interest.
iPhone Duo Scalpers Are Losing Money on Every Unit Sold
Scalpers in China had expected the iPhone Duo to become a profitable resale opportunity. Many purchased units at high prices or in bulk and were anticipating limited initial stock and strong demand from buyers who are willing to pay extra to get the foldable iPhone early.
However, the expected rush did not last for long. According to reports from local merchants, almost all scalpers dealing in the iPhone Duo are now selling at a loss.
A merchant at Hangzhou’s Yigao Digital City said that nearly every reseller involved in the phone’s secondary market is losing money. Industry discussions also suggest that some experienced scalpers have lost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of yuan because of their unsold stock.
iPhone Duo Resale Prices Fall Below Expectations
The iPhone Duo went on sale around a week ago after much speculation and interest around Apple’s first foldable phone. However, resale prices have fallen much faster than anticipated. The initial curiosity surrounding the device appears to have faded and the number of buyers willing to pay a premium has remained limited.
The situation has left scalpers struggling to recover their investment. Those who manage to sell their units without taking a loss are reportedly considered fortunate.
Why iPhone Duo Scalpers Are Losing Money?
Many factors appear to be why there is a sharp fall in resale prices. Some of the reasons are:
- Reports of hinge-related problems and a software experience
- Supply reportedly improved faster than and that has reduced the opportunity to charge a premium for resellers
- iPhone Duo’s high starting price already restricted the number of potential buyers.
- Reviews, user experiences and product updates now viral through social media and online channels had a negative impact
iPhone Duo Official Price and Availability
iPhone Duo is now available for purchase through Apple’s official website, Apple Stores and authorised retail partners in selected markets. Pricing varies depending on the storage configuration and region.
For the iPhone Duo 256GB base variant, the official launch prices are:
- United States: $1,999 (before local sales tax)
- India: Rs 2,99,900
- China: CNY 15,999
Availability in other countries is expected to expand in phases following the initial rollout.
iPhone Duo Resale Market: What It Means for Buyers
The sharp drop in resale prices could be good news for buyers who were considering purchasing the iPhone Duo from the secondary market. Customers may have more room to negotiate instead of paying what the resellers initially expected.
However, a lower resale price does not automatically make the phone a better purchase. Reports of hinge problems and software that still needs refinement are worth considering before spending money on the device.
