Apple has announced it will replace iPhone Duo units whose internal screens have cracked or developed bright lines near the hinge, just days after the company’s first foldable phone went on sale for $1,999.
Official Apple acknowledgment of the iPhone Duo internal screen issue
Early user complaints and out-of-warranty repair costs
iFixit’s engineering theory regarding the hinge pressure point
Apple stock dip and crisis fallout ahead of 28-market expansion
Frequently asked questions
Official Apple acknowledgment of the iPhone Duo internal screen issue
Apple has confirmed it will replace iPhone Duo devices whose internal screens have cracked or developed lines near the hinge, just a few days after launching the company’s first-ever foldable smartphone. On Monday, October 26, the company stated that it is aware of “an issue affecting the internal screen on a small number of iPhone Duo units” and asked affected users to “contact AppleCare for a replacement device,” according to Reuters. Apple did not specify the technical cause behind the issue or the number of affected phones. The $1,999 device went on sale on October 23, but some buyers reported that its 7.6-inch internal screen cracked along the fold line within hours of unboxing. This crisis serves as an early test for CEO John Ternus, who assumed office on September 1 and launched the iPhone Duo as the first major product of his tenure.
Early user complaints and out-of-warranty repair costs
Images posted online show clear cracks along the middle crease of the display, with several also showing a bright line extending to the right side of the screen. Some owners reported hearing a cracking or popping sound when opening the phone, according to the BBC and The Verge, with one owner in Australia stating that their device cracked after only about 6 hours and fewer than 20 folds. It remains unclear how widespread the issue is, while the BBC noted that some circulating images may be AI-generated. An Apple spokesperson stated that most units are unaffected and that defective units show the issue quickly, emphasizing that owners do not need an AppleCare+ subscription to receive a free replacement, though supply shortages are causing some customers to wait for new units. Notably, repairing the internal screen after the warranty expires costs $999 without AppleCare+.
iFixit’s engineering theory regarding the hinge pressure point
Renowned repair firm iFixit used teardown footage, test patents, and CT scan images to build a 3D simulation of the hinge. They found that the reported damage is concentrated directly beneath where the display cable runs under the screen, near a central support bar that may not move far enough out of the display’s path when the phone is folded, “creating a small pressure point near the reported fracture location.” They also pointed to potential pressure, trapped particles, or manufacturing defects.
Apple stock dip and crisis fallout ahead of 28-market expansion
Apple shares fell 1.1% on Monday and declined further in pre-market trading on Tuesday. Analysts compared the situation to the screen failures of Samsung’s original Galaxy Fold in 2019. Francisco Jeronimo of IDC described Apple’s replacement offer as “the right first step,” emphasizing that with “the phone launching in 28 additional markets on October 30, Apple needs to clarify its warranty stance quickly.”
Frequently asked questions
Question: Is an AppleCare+ subscription required to replace a cracked iPhone Duo?
Answer: No, Apple confirmed that affected owners will receive a free replacement under the standard warranty without needing an AppleCare+ subscription.
Question: How much does it cost to repair the internal screen of an iPhone Duo out of warranty?
Answer: Repairing the 7.6-inch internal screen after the warranty expires costs $999 for non-AppleCare+ subscribers.
Question: What is iFixit’s explanation for the iPhone Duo screen cracking?
Answer: The 3D simulation indicates that a central support bar near the display cable may not move adequately when folded, generating a concentrated pressure point.
