After over three months of renovations, the Apple SouthGate store in Bath, England reopened on October 23, 2026, coinciding with iPhone Duo launch day. The updated space features a dedicated Apple Pickup area and a more accessible Genius Bar with varied table and seat heights. Apple retail staff were instructed to warn customers against walk-in purchases of the iPhone Duo on launch day due to expected severe supply constraints and limited stock available without pre-orders.
Despite knowing of manufacturing challenges, Apple began iPhone Duo pre-orders on Friday, a decision Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman called a "major mistake." With just days until release, Apple is preparing the App Store with screenshots of built-in apps running on the Duo. The new device's dual-screen capabilities promise varied app experiences, though supply issues may limit consumer access at launch.
Source: MacRumors · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing