From beauty queens and actors to loyal Apple customers, Vietnamese buyers rushed to collect the new iPhone Duo on October 23, saying the opportunity to experience Apple's first foldable smartphone mattered more than its premium price.

Scarcity of Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo has sparked a resale market in Vietnam, where early pre-order slots are being offered at premiums of up to VND19 million (US$720) as buyers compete to secure the device ahead of its official delivery.

Just 30 minutes after pre-orders opened, every iPhone Duo configuration on Apple's online store was sold out for initial delivery, with estimated shipping dates slipping to late January 2027.

Apple-authorized retailers in Vietnam have reduced prices of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, with discounts exceeding $115 on some models as consumers weigh older flagship devices against the latest releases.

Apple's first foldable iPhone has intensified competition in Vietnam's premium foldable market, where established Android rivals are challenging it on price, design, cameras and charging technology.

Many Vietnamese consumers are holding off on upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, preferring to experience Apple's first foldable iPhone Duo before deciding which new iPhone to buy.

Vietnamese buyers seeking the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max in Burgundy Red or Ice Crystal may have to wait until mid- or late October as supplies struggle to keep up with demand.

A custom iPhone 18 Pro Max plated in 18K rose gold and set with a ruby between its three cameras is priced at around $7,200 for the 2TB version in Vietnam.

Scarce supplies of Apple's wine-red iPhone 18 Pro Max created a brief resale opportunity in Vietnam, with some traders making $190-265 on each early purchase slot.

A luxury iPhone 18 Pro Max featuring a sculpted dragon, gold-plated back and diamonds is priced at more than $11,700 in Vietnam, as bespoke versions arrive alongside Apple’s latest phones.

Apple-authorized retailers in Vietnam began delivering the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at 8 a.m. on September 18, but limited first-day supply left many pre-order customers waiting.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could be in short supply when sales begin in Vietnam on Sept. 18. Buyers seeking launch-day delivery may face additional costs of up to $305.

Demand for Apple's new iPhones surged as preorders opened in Vietnam, with one major retailer reporting 160,000 deposits for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in just 20 minutes.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max do not go on sale in Vietnam until Sept. 18, but accessory makers are already filling stores with cases, screen protectors and next-generation chargers.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone has arrived with a $1,999 starting price, dividing Vietnamese tech reviewers over whether its new foldable experience is worth the premium over established rivals such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Apple’s new iPhone Handoff feature in iOS 27, which lets users share one phone number between two iPhones, is absent from the company’s announcement for the Vietnamese market.

Apple has revealed Vietnam pricing for its new iPhone lineup, with the iPhone 18 Pro starting at around US$1,480 and the top-end foldable iPhone Duo exceeding US$3,900.

Apple’s iPhone Duo will go on sale in Vietnam in October, bringing the company’s first foldable smartphone to the market with prices reaching nearly US$4,000.

Vietnamese consumers can pre-order the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max from 7pm on September 12, with the first devices scheduled for delivery on September 18.