Apple has acknowledged that some iPhone Duo units are developing cracks in the inner display, just days after its first foldable phone went on sale. In a statement to MacRumors, the company said:
“The response to iPhone Duo from early users has been incredibly positive, and we are seeing exciting things from developers who are rapidly updating their apps to take advantage of its unique form factor. We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement.”
The statement does not explain what is causing the damage or say whether a hardware or software fix is planned.
The reports started almost as soon as the iPhone Duo reached customers on October 23. Owners have described a crack running along the hinge, usually on the lower half of the folding screen. Several say the hinge felt stuck, and some heard a popping sound just before the damage appeared. The result is often a line of bright pixels across one side of the panel. One owner in Australia said his phone failed after being opened fewer than 20 times.
Apple’s position is that this is not a slow-developing problem. According to the company, affected units crack shortly after purchase, and most owners should not expect their display to fail later. That is reassuring if true, but Apple has not shared failure rates, so there is no way yet to check how small “a small number” really is. The picture is also clouded by reports that some images of cracked Duos circulating online were AI-generated, which makes it harder to judge the real scale from social media.
A teardown by repair specialist iFixit points to the hinge as the likely weak spot. Several components meet at that point, and one possible cause is a center support bar inside the hinge that is supposed to retract but may not be doing so. That would explain why so many cracks appear in the same place. It is still a theory, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Replacements are another complication. Supply was already tight at launch, to the point that Apple Store staff were reportedly told to discourage walk-in buyers without a pre-order. Some owners with cracked screens now say they are waiting for replacement stock.
