"iPhone Duo" Faces Screen Issues Days After Launch

Apple has acknowledged a technical flaw in a limited number of its new foldable “iPhone Duo” smartphones, following complaints about damage to the internal screen and the appearance of glowing horizontal lines near the hinge, just days after sales began last Friday. The device, which starts at $1,999, has seen strong consumer demand, with long queues forming to purchase it.

The company confirmed it is aware of the issue and pledged to replace affected devices under its AppleCare warranty program. It also set the cost of repairing the internal screen outside the warranty at approximately $999, underscoring the high maintenance costs associated with foldable phones.

Users on X and Reddit shared complaints about screen damage occurring during the opening and closing of the device, accompanied by some unverified images. This prompted iFixit, a device repair specialist, to disassemble the phone and test its durability.

Technician Shahrām Mokhtārī suggested the flaw may be linked to the hinge design, noting reports of “clicking” sounds preceding screen damage.

Apple CEO Kyle Wenz explained that the hinge contains dozens of precision components, making the screen vulnerable to damage from manufacturing tolerances or the ingress of tiny sand particles.

These complaints have revived concerns about the durability of foldable phones since they first entered the commercial market in 2019, when early Samsung devices suffered similar defects that hindered the category’s adoption.

Although early reviews praised the large-screen experience, multitasking capabilities, and visual content, they noted that some apps are not fully compatible. Apple confirmed that developers are already updating their apps, and the company stated that initial user feedback has been largely positive despite the issue.