Tesco Mobile says it is “not aware of any issues”
A couple of readers have also got in touch to say that Tesco Mobile carried out hard credit checks on their accounts, despite their pre-orders subsequently being cancelled.
Hard credit checks can temporarily affect your credit score. No doubt frustrating for those who have had their pre-orders cancelled.
Tesco Mobile has now responded to my request for comment, but it has not confirmed any issues on the carrier’s side with regard to pre-orders.
“We’re not aware of any issues affecting orders at this time. These cases appear to be the result of payments not being successfully completed, which can happen if there are insufficient funds available or if the payment isn’t authorised within the required timeframe,” a Tesco Mobile spokesperson said. “Where this happens, the order is automatically cancelled and the device reservation is released. We appreciate this may be disappointing for customers affected.”
Obviously, this doesn’t quite add up with the experiences several readers have shared with me. I have asked Tesco Mobile for further clarification.
Alex Lee23 October 2026 10:28
There may still be walk-in stock at some Apple Stores
You might still be able to get an iPhone Duo if you head into your local Apple Store this morning, but stock is very limited. I’m still reading reports of Apple Store’s with iPhone Duo availability.
Most Apple Stores are recommending you check back online for pick-up availability starting from Saturday 24 October.
Alex Lee23 October 2026 10:15
It’s been a slight headache for some third-party retailers and mobile carriers
It’s been a bit of a nightmare launch for some customers.
Two readers this morning have got in touch to tell me that most of the configurations of the iPhone Duo had sold out at Giffgaff by 8am. Freemans and Tesco Mobile were also seen cancelling customers’ orders yesterday morning when they went to pay, despite pre-ordering on launch day.
And some customers are reporting that EE hasn’t sent out any dispatch notices or updated tracking regarding their iPhone Duo pre-order, which should be arriving today. There’s a long Reddit thread regarding issues with EE.
Alex Lee23 October 2026 10:01
Good morning! The iPhone Duo has officially arrived, and people are beginning to secure their iPhone Duo this morning from all the various Apple Stores up and down the country.
Alex Lee23 October 2026 09:24
Here’s when Giffgaff will go live with iPhone Duo stock tomorrow
Giffgaff has just confirmed that the iPhone Duo will be available to buy from 8am tomorrow morning. It’s expected to sell out fast, so I’d recommend getting in early.
Giffgaff says it will start shipping iPhone Duo units from Saturday 24 October.
Alex Lee22 October 2026 14:29
Update: If you pre-order from O2 now, it won’t arrive until January 2027
I’ve just had another look at O2’s listings and despite the carrier saying it’ll take more than four weeks for the iPhone Duo to dispatch on the page, if you click through, you can actually see that the iPhone Duo won’t arrive until 26 January, which is the estimated shipping date for the Apple Store direct.
Alex Lee22 October 2026 12:42
Giffgaff will go live with the iPhone Duo tomorrow morning
Just a reminder that if you have failed to secure a pre-order or don’t feel like queuing up outside an Apple Store hours in advance, Giffgaff has informed me that it’ll be going live with the iPhone Duo tomorrow morning, with the earliest deliveries arriving on Saturday 24 October.
I’m just finding out what time it’ll go on sale and will update you when I hear back.
Alex Lee22 October 2026 12:12
Tesco Mobile has been cancelling iPhone Duo pre-orders this morning
It’s not the only report I’ve received today. Another reader has also been in touch to say that Tesco Mobile has been cancelling iPhone Duo pre-orders.
The mobile network arm of the supermarket giant was one of the first retailers to go live with pre-orders last Friday, promising delivery on launch day (23 October). But with less than 24 hours to go, some customers are reporting that their orders have been cancelled, despite initially receiving confirmation emails.
One reader told me they’d received an email this morning saying their iPhone Duo was ready for delivery, only for their order to be cancelled after they signed the credit agreement and made their first payment.
Others on Reddit have reported similar problems. One customer said they’d received their pre-order confirmation, signed their credit agreement and completed their payment, only to be told that their payment hadn’t gone through and their contract had been cancelled.
Another Reddit user claimed Tesco Mobile had told them it didn’t have enough stock to fulfil all its pre-orders. A separate customer said they’d been advised not to sign their credit agreement straight away or risk having their order cancelled.
It’s unclear how widespread the cancellations are or whether stock shortages are to blame. My speculation is that Tesco Mobile sold more iPhone Duo pre-orders than it was allocated. I’ve contacted Tesco Mobile for comment and will update yoou when I hear back.
Alex Lee22 October 2026 11:42
More reports of Freemans iPhone Duo cancellations are coming in
ANother reader has just been in touch to say that their iPhone Duo pre-order was also cancelled last night due to stock issues despite pre-ordering early in the morning.
Alex Lee22 October 2026 11:24
Customers have started queuing up outside Apple’s flagship store in New York
Eager beavers have reportedly already started queuing up outside Apple’s flagship New York store on Fifth Ave.
Alex Lee22 October 2026 10:48