Apple has acknowledged display problems affecting a small number of its newly launched foldable iPhone Duo devices and is advising affected customers to contact its support team for replacements. The announcement comes just days after the company began shipping its first foldable smartphone, with early buyers reporting cracks and unusual display lines near the device’s central hinge.
The reports have raised questions about the durability of Apple’s new foldable design, particularly given the device’s premium price and the company’s emphasis on its engineering.
Users Report Cracks Along the Folding Hinge
Complaints began appearing on online forums and social media shortly after the iPhone Duo reached customers. Several users shared images of damaged inner screens, with cracks and bright horizontal or vertical lines appearing around the central folding area.
Some customers said their devices developed problems within hours or days of purchase. In certain cases, users described the hinge becoming unusually stiff or making a crunching sound while they unfolded the phone, followed by visible damage to the display.
Other reports indicated that the outer screen continued working even when the larger internal display became difficult or impossible to use.
Although online posts initially offered limited evidence about the scale of the problem, additional customer accounts and photographs have brought greater attention to the issue.
Apple has stressed that the problem affects only a small number of units. The company has not yet disclosed a precise number of affected devices or explained what causes the damage.
Apple Directs Affected Customers to Its Support Team
In its response, Apple said it was aware of an issue involving the inner display on a limited number of iPhone Duo devices. Customers experiencing display problems have been instructed to contact AppleCare to arrange a replacement.
The company also highlighted positive early reactions to the phone and said developers were already updating their applications to take advantage of its foldable design.
However, Apple has not announced a broader recall, identified a confirmed manufacturing defect or detailed whether changes to the hardware are being considered. It remains unclear whether the company will introduce additional measures as it investigates the reports.
The replacement guidance provides an immediate option for affected owners, although availability and the time required to receive a replacement may vary.
Repair Experts Examine the Possible Cause
Device-repair specialists have examined the phone’s hinge and internal construction to understand why some screens might be cracking. Their preliminary analysis suggests that the area around the central hinge could be experiencing concentrated pressure during folding.
One theory involves a support component that may not move sufficiently out of the display’s path as the phone opens or closes. If that component remains in the wrong position, it could create a localised stress point on the delicate screen.
This explanation remains unconfirmed. Apple has not publicly endorsed the theory or identified a definitive cause, and further investigation would be needed to establish whether the reported failures share the same underlying problem.
The findings nevertheless highlight the engineering challenges involved in producing foldable smartphones. Their flexible displays and complex hinges must withstand repeated movement while protecting sensitive internal components.
A Durability Test for Apple’s Foldable Strategy
The iPhone Duo represents a significant expansion of Apple’s smartphone range, bringing the company into a category where screen reliability has been a longstanding concern.
Foldable devices offer larger displays in a portable form, but their moving parts and flexible panels introduce potential failure points that conventional smartphones do not face in the same way.
The early complaints could therefore become an important test of customer confidence in Apple’s first-generation design. The company’s response, the consistency of its replacement process and the results of its technical investigation may influence how buyers assess the product’s long-term reliability.
For now, Apple is offering replacements to customers whose devices develop the reported display problem. The scale of the issue and its underlying cause remain uncertain, making further updates from the company important for existing owners and prospective buyers alike.
