Apple Sets Deadline for iPhone Duo “Get Ready” Pre-Orders

Apple has announced a deadline for customers who want to prepare their iPhone Duo purchase before pre-orders officially begin. The company’s “Get Ready” option allows buyers to select their preferred model, storage, accessories, payment method and trade-in details in advance, making checkout much faster when pre-orders open. 

iPhone Duo Pre-Orders Begin October 16

Apple is scheduled to open iPhone Duo pre-orders on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. PT (8:00 a.m. ET). The device is expected to become available to customers on October 23. 

For customers hoping to receive their phone as early as possible, preparing the order ahead of time could be important.

Apple's Get Ready feature lets shoppers complete most of the purchasing process before the actual pre-order window opens. Once pre-orders go live, customers can simply confirm their saved selections and complete the transaction.

Apple Set a Strict Get Ready Deadline

According to the latest information, customers needed to complete the Get Ready process by 9:00 p.m. PT on October 15. After that deadline, buyers could still place a regular pre-order when sales opened, but they would no longer have the benefit of having everything prepared in advance. 

The process is particularly useful for buyers who already know which configuration they want.

Customers can select their:

• iPhone Duo model
• Preferred color
• Storage capacity
• Accessories
• Trade-in device
• Financing or leasing option
• Payment information

Once these details are saved, the final checkout process should take significantly less time.

Why Getting Ready Early Matters

Popular iPhone models can experience high demand immediately after pre-orders open. Even a few minutes of delay can potentially affect delivery estimates.

Apple introduced the Get Ready process to reduce the amount of time customers need to spend completing their orders during the busiest part of the launch.

For shoppers targeting day-one delivery, preparing everything beforehand can therefore be a useful strategy.

Apple Also Offers Flexible Payment Options

Customers can choose from Apple's available purchasing and financing options during the ordering process. Apple has also introduced Apple Upgrade, a leasing program provided through Klarna in the United States, offering eligible customers monthly payment options for Apple devices. 

Availability of financing, leasing and carrier offers can vary by country and customer eligibility.

iPhone Duo Joins Apple's 2026 Lineup

The iPhone Duo is part of Apple's 2026 iPhone lineup, following the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple began pre-orders for the Pro models in September, with both devices subsequently becoming available in stores and online. 

The iPhone Duo represents another major addition to Apple's smartphone lineup and is expected to attract customers looking for a different form factor and experience.

Final Thoughts

Apple's Get Ready system is designed to make launch-day purchasing faster and more convenient. For customers planning to buy the iPhone Duo, completing product selections, payment arrangements and trade-in information ahead of time can help streamline the checkout process.

With iPhone Duo pre-orders opening on October 16, buyers interested in getting the device as early as possible should prepare their order in advance.