Foldable iPhone Duo deals heavy blow to scalpers: Left with unsold stock
Scalpers who bought and stockpiled the foldable iPhone Duo ahead of everyone else face a major setback following reported issues. Those who stockpiled the Duo for profit have already incurred losses.
The first foldable screen iPhone has faced display issues since its release date. The issue stems from hardware, and Apple acknowledged the defect, announcing free replacements. As confidence in the foldable iPhone decreases daily, scalpers who stockpiled the device suffered losses.
Released as Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo caused resellers in the secondary market to lose significant money. Resellers who purchased in bulk at high prices early on, expecting limited supply, suffered direct losses as secondary market prices crashed faster than expected.
Those who stockpiled the iPhone Duo deeply regret it
The model, launched about a week ago following lengthy rumors, experienced a rapid decline in demand after reaching initial users. According to local merchants in China, the supply shortage premium seen in past flagship launches did not materialize for this device.
Hinge and Software Issues Directly Cut Demand
Initial feedback from users pushed down sales charts in the secondary market. Problems in the foldable model's hinge structure and an unfinished software experience reduced consumer interest. This situation forced sellers who entered the market expecting high profits to cut prices.
Meanwhile, a merchant operating in Hangzhou Yigao Digital City in China stated that nearly all resellers trading the iPhone Duo lost money. Industry sources reported that even experienced wholesalers suffered financial losses of tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan (based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 6.67 yuan) due to their inventory. Under current market conditions, sellers who break even are considered lucky.
Reasons Behind the Secondary Market Collapse
Analysts and local dealers evaluate the factors leading to the market collapse under specific headings:
| Factor | Market Impact |
|---|---|
| High Entry Price | The high official retail price of the device restricted the actual buyer base from the start. |
| Defective Hardware and Software | Hinge issues and software shortcomings caused the initial wave of excitement to fade quickly. |
| Fast Supply Flow | Apple's official supply channels operated faster than expected, eliminating the opportunity for resellers to inflate prices. |
| Transparent Information Network | Social media and review platforms spread the issues instantly, removing the previous information advantage. |
What Does It Mean for Users?
For consumers looking to buy the device from secondary markets or unauthorized resellers, the inflated price bubble has burst. Exorbitant price demands from the early days have disappeared, and the device is being sold at discounts below its official price in certain regions of China. Hinge and software defects remain the primary risk factors for users considering purchasing the product.
This article was translated from Turkish. Read the original article in Turkish.
