Taiwan Sells Out iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable iPhone Duo in Two Minutes

Apple officially opened pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro series and its first foldable model, the iPhone Duo, earlier this month. Taiwan's three major telecom operators—Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecommunications, and Taiwan Mobile—immediately launched concurrent online and in-store registration. According to Chunghwa Telecom, its reservation system reached capacity within two minutes of opening, demonstrating that demand for high-end models remains robust in the local market. Far EasTone noted that pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro doubled compared to the same period last year, while Taiwan Mobile reported that pre-orders for its high-end models grew by nearly twofold. Both companies also disclosed that the foldable iPhone Duo sold out within two minutes of its release.

This surge in popularity is closely tied to the high expectations generated by Apple's annual global launch event in September. The iPhone 18 Pro series features upgraded hardware specifications, including a more efficient processor, a more advanced camera module, and a larger battery capacity, meeting consumers' dual demands for photography performance and battery life in recent years. More importantly, Apple's first-ever foldable model, the iPhone Duo, breaks the mold of traditional bar-type smartphones by combining the dual functions of a tablet and a phone, making it highly appealing to business professionals seeking novelty and high productivity. Market analysts generally believe that Apple's entry into the high-end market with folding technology is not only an extension of its product line, but also a move to gain the upper hand against competitors like Samsung and Huawei in the foldable phone market.

As one of Apple's key markets in Asia, Taiwan has long maintained a high smartphone penetration rate. According to statistics from the Institute for Information Industry, the iPhone's market share in the local high-end phone market exceeds 40%. The three major telecom operators have also ramped up their marketing strategies by offering interest-free installment plans, trade-in subsidies, and exclusive cloud service packages, further lowering the threshold for consumers to upgrade. Far EasTone's doubled pre-order volume indicates significant success in the competition for high-end clientele, while Taiwan Mobile's growth rate of nearly double demonstrates that its dual-track deployment targeting both enterprise and individual users is yielding results. As the largest operator, Chunghwa Telecom did not disclose specific figures, but the rapid filling of its reservation quota demonstrates that its reservation platform still boasts the widest coverage and most stable service capability across Taiwan.

From a supply chain perspective, Apple's new product launches often impact the production capacity schedules of global component manufacturers. The A18 Bionic chip and next-generation OLED display modules used in the iPhone 18 Pro series have already been scheduled for early production at wafer foundries such as TSMC and Samsung. The flexible displays and high-end structural components required for the foldable model also necessitate simultaneous production line adjustments in the supply chain, which may lead to short-term component shortages. Local Taiwanese contract manufacturers and component suppliers stand to benefit, with an expected increase in related output value over the coming quarters, which will further drive revenue growth in the domestic semiconductor and precision manufacturing industries.

For the broader economy, the strong sales of these high-end smartphones not only boost consumer confidence but also indirectly stimulate consumption in related industries. The purchase of high-priced phones is often accompanied by the acquisition of accessories, insurance, and cloud services, creating a multi-layered industrial chain effect. While facing fully booked reservations, telecom operators are also challenged with maintaining customer satisfaction amid tight supplies. If the supply shortages persist, some users may switch to other brands or delay their upgrades, introducing variables into the operators' revenue forecasts. Overall, the enthusiastic response to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo demonstrates the high acceptance of innovative high-end smartphones in the Taiwan market, while providing short-term operational momentum for both telecom operators and the local supply chain.