Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, launched on Friday with strong initial demand, featuring considerable lines and long wait times for pre-orders [1]. However, the device has encountered early durability concerns, as some customers have reported that the inner screen can break, displaying horizontal bright lines emanating from the phone's hinge [1]. Apple acknowledged the issue on Monday, stating it was "aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units" and confirmed it would replace affected devices under AppleCare warranty [1]. The company noted that out-of-warranty inner-screen repairs would cost $999 [1].
Most initial reports came from anonymous customers on online forums such as Reddit and X, though respected device repair firm iFixit provided technical analysis after conducting a teardown [1]. iFixit technician Shahram Mokhtari noted that damage reports described "folding or unfolding the phone, hearing a crunch, and pushing past it," with damage occurring at the hinge location [1]. iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens theorized that "a manufacturing variance or grain of sand can kill the fragile display panel" protected by the hinge, which consists of "dozens of parts, with ludicrous precision" [1]. Breaking screens have been a persistent challenge for foldable phone technology since Samsung's early folding devices in 2019, representing a major roadblock to widespread adoption [1].
Despite the durability concerns, early reviewers praised the iPhone Duo's user experience when unfolded, particularly for multitasking and media consumption [1]. However, reviewers noted that many apps had not yet been updated to fully leverage the phone's larger and wider screens [1]. Apple indicated on Monday that developers were actively updating applications for the new foldable device [1].
CONCLUSION
While the iPhone Duo's launch generated strong initial demand, early reports of inner screen failures present a significant quality concern that could impact consumer confidence in Apple's foldable technology. The company's warranty replacement policy and acknowledgment of the issue suggest controlled scope, but the durability challenges echo historical problems with foldable phones and may affect long-term adoption rates for this premium $1,999+ device.