iPhone Duo went on sale on Friday, already scarce, and with a handful of early display complaints. The bigger Australian story, though, came from the Federal Court.
iPhone Duo is here, but hard to get
iPhone Duo went on sale on Friday, 23 October, starting at $3,499 including GST — the most expensive iPhone Apple has sold here. Australia and New Zealand were first, with some Apple Stores opening early and a limited number of walk-in units. Online shipping estimates had already slipped to January after last week’s pre-orders, and pickup slots were scarce when they briefly reopened. The phone, in star white or night sky, opens from a 5.4-inch outer display to a 7.6-inch inner screen, runs the A20 Pro chip, and is eSIM-only.
Apple also released iOS 27.1 for Duo only, with bug fixes and no security updates. Other iPhones stay on the 27.2 beta track, with a public 27.2 release expected next week.
Some inner screens are already cracking
On launch day, some owners reported the inner display cracking along the hinge, often after only a short time. One Australian buyer said the screen broke after fewer than 20 opens, with no visible damage beforehand, and an Apple Store replaced the phone on the spot. It’s too early to know how widespread this is, and some early images have been hard to verify. If you have a problem, take it to Apple rather than a carrier. Faults from normal use should be covered under warranty, and you also have rights under Australian Consumer Law.
The Federal Court orders Apple to open iOS
On Thursday, Justice Jonathan Beach ordered Apple to allow Australian iPhone users to install apps from third-party stores and websites, and to let developers use payment methods other than Apple’s, generally from 1 March 2027. The orders follow last year’s finding that Apple had misused its market power under the Competition and Consumer Act. Developers will also be allowed to link out to other payment methods, and Apple is limited in the fees it can charge on those transactions. Apple can still require security scanning and notarisation for apps distributed outside the App Store, and it does not have to list rival stores in its own App Store.
Fortnite is due back, pending an appeal
Apple must also readmit Fortnite and other eligible Epic apps to the Australian App Store once Epic applies in writing. Epic said the game would return on Friday. Apple said it will request a stay and appeal, arguing the market definition has been rejected by other courts and that it wants to protect the security of the App Store. The March changes could yet be delayed if a stay is granted. For now, the only immediate obligation is to consider Epic’s application to return its apps.
What to watch next week
Apple is expected to spend the week announcing more hardware, including a new iPad mini and updated Macs. iOS 27.2 is also due, and it’s worth watching whether more Duo display complaints emerge, and whether Fortnite actually reappears on the App Store here.
