Apple says it will replace iPhone Duo units showing screen problems

Apple has acknowledged display problems affecting a small number of its first foldable smartphones, the iPhone Duo, just days after the device launched. The company said on Monday that customers experiencing display issues should contact AppleCare for a replacement.

The announcement comes after social media posts over the weekend showed cracks and lines appearing on the phone’s inner display, particularly around the central hinge where the device folds.

iPhone Duo Faces Display Issues After Launch

Apple began shipping the iPhone Duo last week, attracting strong customer interest worldwide. Initial online orders sold out within minutes, while customers faced limited availability in stores.

The device unfolds like a passport booklet, featuring a large inner display. However, its complex folding design may create manufacturing challenges and supply constraints, according to analysts.

Apple confirmed that the problem affects only a small number of units and said affected devices tend to develop the issue quickly.

In a statement, the company advised customers experiencing display problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Apple has not yet explained what causes the damage.

iFixit Investigates Possible Hinge Design Problem

Repair-focused company iFixit examined the reported damage using teardown footage, patents and CT scans to create a 3D simulation of the iPhone Duo’s hinge mechanism.

According to iFixit, the reported damage appears to cluster near the area where a display cable runs beneath the screen, close to a central support bar.

The company suggested that the support bar might not move out of the display’s way properly when the phone folds. This could create a concentrated stress point near the area where users have reported cracks.

Apple has not commented on iFixit's findings.

Despite identifying a possible source of the display damage, iFixit also concluded that the iPhone Duo was the most repairable foldable phone it had tested.

Francisco Jeronimo, a vice president at market research firm IDC, described Apple's decision to offer replacements as the right first step in addressing the issue.

He compared the situation with Samsung's experience with its original Galaxy Fold in 2019, when early devices faced problems before the company delayed the launch to address them.

Jeronimo noted that a quick and transparent response could help limit the damage to consumer confidence in foldable smartphones.

What iPhone Duo Owners Should Know

Customers who notice cracks, lines or other problems on their iPhone Duo's inner display should contact AppleCare to discuss a replacement.

Apple has not disclosed the exact cause of the problem or announced how many devices are affected. Further details may emerge as the company investigates the reports.

The issue presents an early challenge for Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market, where durability, hinge design and display reliability remain key considerations for consumers.