Taiwan telecom carriers sold out initial preorder allocations for Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro series and foldable iPhone Duo within two minutes of opening online reservations on Thursday.
Preorder volume for the flagship series surged nearly 200 percent compared to last year’s iPhone 17 Pro cycle, Taiwan Mobile reported. Far EasTone Telecommunications saw customer registrations more than double.
Rising prices did not dampen demand. Next-generation silicon drove cost increases across the lineup. Apple’s base 6.3-inch iPhone 18 Pro starts at NT$44,900 ($1,419), up from NT$39,900 for the previous-generation device. The 6.9-inch iPhone 18 Pro Max entered the market at NT$49,900, up from NT$44,900. Pricing for the foldable iPhone Duo ranges from NT$74,900 for the 256GB version to NT$118,900 for the top-tier 2TB configuration.
Premium Configurations Drive Carrier Allocations
Buyer demand tilted heavily toward top-specification models during the opening reservation window. Chunghwa Telecom stated that 70 percent of surveyed subscribers targeted either the iPhone 18 Pro or the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Within that group, 45 percent chose the 512GB storage option. Taiwan Mobile reported that the iPhone 18 Pro Max alone accounted for roughly 50 percent of all new iPhone preorders placed through its myfone online retail channel.
Shoppers also favored newly introduced finishes. Chunghwa Telecom noted that 46 percent of surveyed buyers selected Glacier, while 26 percent chose Burgundy. Burgundy emerged as the most requested colorway for Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone, followed by Glacier. For the foldable iPhone Duo, Chunghwa Telecom recorded 60 percent demand for Star White, with the remaining 40 percent opting for Night Sky.
Hardware Pricing Tests Regional Carrier Subsidies
The sharp price jump tests consumer willingness to absorb higher upfront equipment costs on multi-year 5G service contracts. Taiwan serves as a key testing ground for East Asian smartphone demand, where carrier subsidies cushion high entry prices. Quick clearance of early allotments shows premium buyers remain price-inelastic. They purchased immediately, even as standard models pushed well past traditional retail thresholds.
Component costs are also squeezing supply chain margins. Vendors passed advanced semiconductor and hinge engineering expenses directly onto retail price tags. Carriers must now manage device inventory financing without eroding retail margins. Replenishment speed poses the immediate risk. If early device allocations stay constrained, subscriber upgrade conversions could taper before the fourth-quarter holiday sales push.
Launch Timelines Across Taiwan Outlets
Apple formally unveiled the lineup earlier in the week. Far EasTone opened its official preorder channel at 8 p.m. On Saturday following several days of interest registration. Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile activated bookings immediately after the product announcement.
Physical deliveries will roll out in two separate phases across the island. Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone outlets will start retail sales of the iPhone 18 Pro series at 8 a.m. On Sept. 18. Store inventory for the foldable iPhone Duo arrives on retail shelves on Oct. 23.