Just days after launching its first foldable iPhone, Apple has acknowledged display problems affecting a small number of iPhone Duo devices and confirmed that customers experiencing issues with their inner screens can contact AppleCare for replacements.
The announcement follows reports of cracked displays, bright lines, and malfunctioning screens around the device's central hinge, raising early concerns about the durability of Apple's latest flagship smartphone.
Here's what happened.
TL;DR
- Apple has acknowledged inner display problems affecting a small number of newly launched iPhone Duo units.
- Users have reported cracks, bright lines, and screen malfunctions around the foldable device's central hinge.
- Apple is directing affected customers to AppleCare for replacements.
- Repair specialist iFixit has identified a possible hinge-related stress point, although the cause remains unconfirmed.
Apple Responds To Reports Of iPhone Duo Screen Cracking
Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has encountered display-related complaints just days after it began shipping to customers on October 23, 2026.
According to Reuters, several users shared images and videos on social media showing cracks and lines appearing on the device's inner display, particularly around the central hinge where the phone folds.
Some users reported experiencing resistance while opening the device, followed by cracking sounds and visible damage to the display. Other complaints described bright lines or white patches across portions of the screen.
Apple acknowledged the reports on October 26 and confirmed that a small number of devices were affected.
"We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units," Apple said in its official statement.
"If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement," the company added.
Apple also indicated that affected units tend to develop the problem relatively quickly after use, suggesting that customers experiencing the issue may notice it soon after purchasing their devices.
As highlighted by iClarified, Apple maintains that most iPhone Duo units are not susceptible to the reported issue. However, the company has not disclosed an exact number of affected devices or an official failure rate.
iFixit Investigation Points To Possible Hinge-Related Damage
While Apple has acknowledged the display failures, it has not confirmed what is causing them.
Repair specialist iFixit has investigated the reports using teardown footage, patents, and computed tomography (CT) scans to develop a three-dimensional simulation of the iPhone Duo's hinge mechanism.
According to Reuters, iFixit's analysis identified a possible stress point near the central support bar, close to where a display cable runs beneath the foldable screen.
The investigation suggested that the support bar might not be moving sufficiently out of the screen's way when the device is folded, potentially concentrating pressure near the areas where damage has been reported.
However, this remains a technical hypothesis rather than a confirmed explanation for the failures.
Apple has not commented on iFixit's findings or announced a specific hardware modification to address the issue.
Interestingly, despite identifying potential mechanical concerns, iFixit also described the iPhone Duo as the most repairable foldable smartphone it has tested.
Apple Offers Replacements As Early Buyers Report Different Experiences
Apple's acknowledgment comes at a particularly sensitive time for the iPhone Duo, which is the company's first entry into the foldable smartphone market.
The device attracted strong early demand, with initial online inventory selling out within minutes of preorders opening, according to Reuters.
However, the limited availability of devices could also complicate the replacement process for affected customers.
Citing Bloomberg's reporting, iClarified noted that some customers received replacement devices directly from Apple Stores, while others encountered delays because their local stores lacked available replacement inventory.
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Bloomberg independently verified complaints from more than half a dozen customers using photographs of damaged devices or records of their interactions with Apple support.
Meanwhile, Neowin highlighted the concerns surrounding a smartphone priced at approximately $2,000, particularly when problems appear within days or even hours of purchase.
For affected users, Apple's recommended course of action is to contact AppleCare and request a replacement rather than assume that the issue can be resolved through a software update.
Apple's First Foldable Faces An Early Durability Test
The development brings back memories of Samsung's original Galaxy Fold, which encountered significant screen problems in 2019.
Francisco Jeronimo, Vice President at market research firm IDC, described Apple's prompt offer of replacements as the "right first step" in responding to the issue, according to Reuters.
The comparison highlights the challenges associated with foldable smartphones, where flexible displays and mechanical hinges must repeatedly work together without compromising durability.
For Apple, the immediate priority is addressing defective units while investigating the underlying cause.
Although the company says only a small number of devices have been affected, it has not provided a confirmed failure rate or explained whether additional corrective measures will be required.
For now, affected iPhone Duo owners can contact AppleCare for a replacement, while the broader reliability of Apple's first foldable smartphone remains under scrutiny.
