Apple has confirmed reports of broken inner screens on its newly released iPhone Duo, a $1,999-and-up foldable smartphone, and is offering replacements under its AppleCare warranty program.
Apple acknowledges issue, pledges replacements
Apple stated on Monday that it was aware of a problem affecting a small number of iPhone Duo units, where the inner display may develop horizontal bright lines or cracks. The company instructed affected users to contact AppleCare for a replacement device. Apple’s website lists an out-of-warranty repair cost of $999 for the inner screen.
User reports detail rapid failures
Multiple customers have reported screen damage occurring shortly after purchase. Social media posts and online forums, including Reddit, describe instances where the phone’s inner screen shattered after minimal use, sometimes within hours of activation. Some users reported hearing an audible "pop" or feeling stiffness in the hinge before the damage occurred. A Reddit user claimed their device cracked after fewer than 20 openings, while another reported failure within six hours of purchase.
Repair experts cite hinge design concerns
Device repair firm iFixit conducted a teardown of the iPhone Duo and suggested the issue may stem from the phone’s hinge design. In a teardown video, iFixit technician Shahram Mokhtari noted that damage often occurs near the hinge, where users report hearing a "crunch" before pushing past it. iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens posted on X that the hinge consists of dozens of precision parts, adding that "a manufacturing variance or grain of sand can kill the fragile display panel it protects."
Apple’s hinge design under scrutiny
Apple markets the iPhone Duo’s hinge as designed to minimize the central crease and ensure "lasting reliability." However, user reports and repair analysis suggest potential vulnerabilities in the hinge mechanism. The company has not issued a public statement addressing the hinge design specifically, nor has it provided additional details on the cause of the failures beyond acknowledging the issue.