Apple released the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, on Oct. 23, but some early buyers have reported that the inner displays cracked shortly after purchase. The reports describe screens breaking along the center hinge, often resulting in a visible line across the display. The device represents the first major product rollout under Apple CEO John Ternus.
The iPhone Duo is priced between nearly $2,000 and $3,000 depending on the model. According to consumer Jesse Dalton of Frisco, Texas, his 512-gigabyte model cost approximately $2,200 before trade-in promotions. Dalton reported his screen snapped with a "loud pop" during the setup process. Another owner, Roneshia Smith, stated her device cracked less than 24 hours after purchase when she attempted to open it.
Apple issued a statement acknowledging that a "small number" of units have been impacted by an issue with the inner display. The company advised affected customers to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Lance Ulanoff, editor at large at TechRadar, noted that the device's multi-layered screen, which includes ultra-thin glass and a mechanical hinge, may be susceptible to damage, though he characterized the current reports as a "blip" based on his own trouble-free testing.
The reported hardware failures affect early adopters of Apple's most expensive consumer phone, including customers who paid between $2,000 and $3,000 for the device. For these owners, the issue results in a loss of device functionality, with Dalton reporting he could not complete the initial software setup before the screen failed. While Dalton reported receiving a replacement at a retail store within 30 minutes, Smith has been told she must wait for a replacement because the iPhone Duo is backordered.
The scale of the issue remains categorized by Apple as affecting a "small number" of units, though the company has not released specific figures regarding the total number of reports. For Dalton, who purchased the device through an AT&T trade-in promotion, the out-of-pocket cost was approximately $800, though the retail value of the hardware remains around $2,200. Users who experience resistance when opening the hinge or hear a cracking sound may face the loss of the inner display.
The reports may influence future product confidence for Apple's foldable line. Because the inner screen is a complex assembly of OLED panels and thin glass, repairs appear limited; store staff reportedly told one owner that replacement is the only available remedy. What happens next includes further monitoring of durability by technology analysts and Apple's upcoming product event in Los Angeles, where the company is expected to unveil a touchscreen laptop.