Apple has begun replacing several of its foldable iPhone Duo devices after users reported cracks, bright lines, and dead pixels on the inner screen, particularly near the center hinge, just days after the phone's market launch.
Apple acknowledged an issue affecting a limited number of devices, stating it is aware of the internal screen malfunctions and urging affected customers to contact AppleCare for a replacement. The company has not yet disclosed the number of affected phones or the actual failure rate.
Malfunctions appear hours after use
The first complaints emerged after the iPhone Duo went on sale at a starting price of $1,999. Some users posted photos showing cracks and bright vertical or horizontal lines near the crease, along with parts of the OLED screen that stopped working or turned black.
Some owners noted the issue appeared within hours of receiving the phone, with cases recorded even before the initial device setup was completed. Users also reported hearing a popping sound or feeling unusual resistance while opening or closing the phone before noticing the screen damage.
Despite similar failure patterns in several cases, there is currently insufficient data to determine the extent of the problem. Furthermore, some photos circulating online were proven to be AI-generated, making it harder to distinguish between genuine complaints and fabricated content.
iFixit reveals potential weak point in phone hinge
Electronics repair and teardown specialist iFixit offered a potential technical explanation for the issue after dismantling the phone and studying its hinge mechanism.
The analysis results indicated a potential pressure point where one of the hinge brackets meets the inner foldable screen. According to a simulation conducted by the company, one of the brackets might not move fully into the correct position when the phone is closed, which could lead to concentrated pressure on the screen and cause pixel damage near the fold.
However, this explanation remains an unconfirmed technical hypothesis, and Apple has not announced the actual cause of the malfunctions. Additionally, a supplier of the hinge components denied responsibility for the issue, emphasizing the need to avoid accusations before identifying the root cause.
Out-of-warranty screen replacement costs $999
Currently, Apple's response focuses on offering replacements for affected devices through AppleCare, without announcing a comprehensive recall program or specifying serial number ranges for phones that might be affected.
The significance of this issue increases given the cost of repairing the inner screen. iFixit data indicates that an out-of-warranty replacement costs approximately $999, equivalent to half the phone's $1,999 starting price.
iFixit gave the phone a preliminary repairability score of 5 out of 10, noting that the inner screen and hinge represent the most significant maintenance challenges.
Apple continues selling iPhone Duo despite complaints
Despite reports regarding screen malfunctions, Apple continues to offer the iPhone Duo for sale on its online store at a starting price of $1,999. The phone features a 7.6-inch foldable inner screen and a 5.4-inch outer screen, with a titanium frame and hinge cover.
While the company continues to replace affected units and inspect returned devices, the definitive cause of the problem remains unresolved, whether it is related to the hinge design, component assembly precision, screen layers, or a combination of multiple factors.
