Apple is reportedly preparing an extensive in-store demonstration campaign for its first foldable iPhone, with hundreds of display units expected to appear across major retail locations ahead of the iPhone Duo’s launch later this month.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to give customers plenty of opportunities to experience the new folding design firsthand, with some flagship stores receiving significantly more demonstration units than usual.

The company’s Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York is expected to feature more than 150 iPhone Duo demo units, while the Apple Park Visitor Centre in California could receive nearly 100.

Other prominent locations, including Michigan Avenue in Chicago, the Grove in Los Angeles and Manhattan’s Upper West Side, are reportedly being allocated between 30 and 40 devices each.

Even smaller Apple Stores could receive approximately 20 demonstration units, highlighting the scale of the company’s retail preparations.

The unusually large rollout reflects the importance of the iPhone Duo to Apple’s smartphone lineup, introducing an entirely new form factor that many customers will want to experience before committing to a purchase.

Apple is also reportedly developing dedicated display fixtures designed to showcase the device’s folding mechanism, allowing shoppers to see how the iPhone Duo opens and closes.

Another new display will use MagSafe to hold an unfolded iPhone Duo alongside two conventional iPhones, giving customers a direct comparison of the different screen sizes and designs.

Some retail locations are also expected to feature untethered demonstration devices positioned along the sides of the sales floor.

These units will allow customers to explore features such as StandBy mode without the restrictions of conventional security fixtures.

The approach suggests Apple wants to make the iPhone Duo’s folding design a central part of the shopping experience, rather than relying on promotional videos and specifications to demonstrate its appeal.

For consumers unfamiliar with foldable smartphones, the expanded demonstrations could provide an opportunity to assess the device’s larger display, folding mechanism and everyday usability before making a purchasing decision.

The retail preparations come as Apple reportedly targets October 23 for the iPhone Duo’s official release, with pre-orders expected to begin on October 16.

However, Gurman has warned that initial supplies could be limited, potentially making the new handset difficult to obtain during its first weeks on sale.

Apple has reportedly accumulated enough inventory to proceed with its planned October launch, although availability could vary considerably between stores.

The prospect of constrained supplies means customers hoping to secure an iPhone Duo on launch day may need to place a pre-order rather than rely on walk-in availability.

Apple’s substantial investment in retail demonstrations also underlines the challenge of introducing a new smartphone design at a premium price.

By putting large numbers of demonstration units into stores, the company appears determined to let the iPhone Duo’s hardware make its case directly to consumers.

Whether that hands-on experience translates into strong sales remains to be seen, particularly if limited availability restricts how many customers can actually purchase the device at launch.

Meanwhile, Apple is also reportedly preparing to launch a second-generation HomePod mini, bringing a faster processor, improved connectivity and support for its next-generation Siri AI assistant.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the HomePod mini 2 will feature Apple’s S10 chip, replacing the ageing S5 processor that has powered the original model since its introduction nearly six years ago.

Earlier rumours had pointed to an S9 processor, but the latest reports suggest Apple is opting for newer hardware to support more advanced smart home capabilities.

One of the biggest potential improvements is support for Siri AI, which is expected to offer more natural conversations, better understanding of complex requests and deeper integration with applications.

While the exact AI features available on the HomePod mini 2 remain unclear, the upgrade could make the compact speaker a more capable smart home assistant.

The new speaker is also expected to work alongside Apple’s upcoming HomeView smart home display, which reportedly features an A18 processor and is designed to serve as a central control hub for connected devices.

With HomeView providing a touchscreen interface and the HomePod mini 2 offering voice control and music playback throughout the home, the two products could form an important part of Apple’s expanding smart home ecosystem.

The existing HomePod mini already supports features including Intercom, audio handoff and smart home accessory controls, but improved processing power could make these functions more responsive.

Apple is reportedly retaining the familiar compact design while introducing a refreshed colour lineup consisting of pink, green, blue, midnight and white.

According to Gurman, the HomePod mini 2 is expected to reach stores on October 30 in the US, ahead of the HomeView smart display’s anticipated arrival in mid-November.

Both devices are tipped to make an appearance at Apple’s Welcome Home event on October 13, where the company is expected to reveal more details about its next generation of smart home hardware.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed.