Reported instructions to warn against iPhone Duo walk-ins are disputed

MacRumors reported that some Apple retail employees had been advised there would likely be no iPhone Duo stock for walk-in purchases on launch day, October 23. According to the outlet, staff were told to discourage customers without preorders from arriving with the expectation that they could buy the device.

The report did not establish that Apple had issued a company-wide directive. MacRumors said it was unclear how firm the warning was or whether it applied worldwide.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman disputed the broader interpretation, writing that Apple had sent no communication to retail stores instructing staff to give that warning. He allowed that managers at selected stores might have told employees to discourage walk-ins, leaving room for local guidance rather than a uniform policy.

Store inventory is still unsettled

In a follow-up post, Gurman said stores he had contacted were still comparing the number of units expected by launch day with those allocated to preorders. On that basis, he called any ruling on inventory for customers without preorders premature.

The practical picture remains uncertain. MacRumors said Apple's online store was directing customers to check back on October 24 for pickup availability, one day after the phone's launch. The outlet cautioned that the message did not guarantee stock would be available then.