NEW YORK CITY, New York: Apple's first foldable iPhone reached stores around the world on October 23, with early demand for the roughly US$2,000 device outstripping limited supplies as the technology giant makes its first move into a smartphone category long dominated by rivals.

Estimated delivery dates for the iPhone Duo slipped to late January within minutes of preorders opening a week ago. Apple described the response as "nothing short of extraordinary".

The company capped preorders at two handsets per customer and limited walk-in sales. In China, France, Hong Kong, India, and Japan, the phones were available only to customers who ordered online for pickup.

The launch is an early test for new CEO John Ternus, Apple's former hardware chief, who took over in September and unveiled the device barely a week later.

Samsung and Huawei have sold foldable smartphones for years, but Apple's entry will test whether the company can reshape what remains a relatively small segment of the smartphone market.

In Sydney, customers queued for the device, with the 512GB version priced at A$3,899 ($2,734). Ternus greeted customers at an Apple store in Austin, while queues and overnight campouts formed outside the company's Fifth Avenue store in New York City.

The launch comes as Apple contends with a weak consumer market in China and rising memory costs. Smartphone shipments in China have declined for six consecutive quarters, although Apple's market share has rebounded as some consumers have traded up to more expensive devices.

Early reviews praised the iPhone Duo's design and its sturdy, barely visible hinge, while some reviewers pointed to compromises, including the lack of a telephoto camera and apps that still haven't been optimized for the foldable format.

Some reviewers also questioned whether the folded device was as convenient to use as a conventional smartphone and recommended that many consumers hold off on buying it.

Research firm IDC expects Apple to capture 44 percent of the foldable smartphone market by value in 2026, despite accounting for 31 percent of units. It expects Apple to become the market leader in both value and units in 2027.

"Apple has made a convincing case for this form factor," IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said.

"Now comes the next test: turning excitement into availability, adoption, and a lasting new chapter for the smartphone market," he said.