Every major iPhone launch brings a wave of resale listings, and a brand-new foldable is no exception. If you cannot get an iPhone Duo from Apple straight away, eBay and other marketplaces will look tempting. Here is how to think about price, what protections you have, and the scams that show up every launch.
Start with the real price
Before you look at any listing, know what Apple charges. In the US, the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for 256GB, with 512GB at $2,199, 1TB at $2,599 and 2TB at $3,199. In the UK, Apple's online store lists the same figures in pounds: £1,999, £2,199, £2,599 and £3,199. Prices in other countries vary. Check your local Apple website.
Anything listed far above those figures is a scalper price. Anything listed far below them for a new, sealed phone in launch week should make you suspicious.
Why resale prices spike, then fall
In launch week, supply is tight and some buyers will pay a premium to skip the wait. As Apple ships more units and stores receive regular deliveries, that premium usually shrinks. Paying hundreds over retail to avoid a few weeks' wait is a personal choice, but go in knowing the gap is likely to narrow.
That is also the case for watching Apple Store pickup instead. Stores receive stock every day, and when your store gets one, you pay Apple's normal price.
What protection you actually have
- eBay Money Back Guarantee. eBay covers many purchases when an item does not arrive or is not as described, as long as you pay through eBay's checkout. Read the current terms on eBay before buying, as they change.
- Payment method. Paying by credit card or PayPal generally gives you more options for disputes than a bank transfer.
- Apple warranty. A genuine new iPhone carries Apple's standard warranty from the original purchase date. You can check coverage on Apple's "Check Coverage" page using the serial number. Ask the seller for it before you buy.
Common scams
These show up around almost every iPhone launch:
- "Box only" or "photo of" listings. The title says iPhone Duo; the small print says you are buying a picture or an empty box. Read the full description.
- Off-platform payment. A seller asks you to pay by bank transfer, gift card or a payment link outside eBay "to avoid fees". Once you leave the platform, you lose its protection. Do not do it.
- Too-good-to-be-true prices. A new iPhone Duo hundreds below Apple's price in launch week is almost certainly not real.
- Brand-new accounts with no feedback selling multiple high-value phones.
- Pre-order "transfers". Someone offers to sell you their Apple pre-order. Apple orders are tied to the buyer's account and payment, and a transfer arrangement leaves you with no protection.
- Locked or financed phones. A phone tied to someone else's Apple Account (Activation Lock) or to an unpaid carrier contract can be unusable. Insist on a phone that has been fully reset and removed from the seller's account.
Buying from a reseller shop
Authorised resellers and large retailers sell at or near Apple's price, with normal consumer rights. Independent "grey market" shops that import phones may sell above retail, and their phones may be a different regional model. Regional models can differ, for example in SIM support. The iPhone Duo is eSIM-only, so check that eSIM works with your carrier.
A quick checklist before you buy second-hand
- Pay only through the platform's own checkout.
- Ask for the serial number and check it on Apple's coverage page.
- Confirm Activation Lock is off and the phone is not carrier-locked.
- Compare the total price, including delivery, to Apple's RRP.
- Keep every message inside the platform.
The alternative
If you would rather pay Apple's price, set up a stock alert for your local Apple Store. It is a one-off £5, or £10 for your exact configuration. It cannot guarantee you a phone, but it tells you the moment your store has one. See also where to buy an iPhone Duo.