CNET begins durability testing of Apple iPhone Duo with custom Fold-a-Phone rig

Apple launched its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Friday, prompting long lines at retail stores. CNET secured a testing unit and placed it in a self-built apparatus, dubbed the Fold-a-Phone, to monitor the device’s hinge durability. The rig cycles the phone open and closed every four seconds, simulating typical user behavior rather than continuous high-speed folding. As of Saturday afternoon, the iPhone Duo had completed more than 20,000 folds.

The Fold-a-Phone uses off-the-shelf components, including industrial stepper motors and proximity sensors, to control the motion and halt the test if alignment issues arise. Power is supplied by an EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus backup unit, and data are recorded on multiple storage locations. Each phone is mounted on a custom-printed sled secured with heavy-duty double-sided tape.

CNET’s senior technology reporter Abrar Al-Heeti has reviewed the iPhone Duo’s features, and the ongoing test will provide quantitative data on its hinge lifespan, a metric Apple has not publicly disclosed. Results will be shared in future updates and during a live stream scheduled for Monday.

The testing methodology aligns with industry standards, where most foldable phones are rated for 200,000 to 500,000 folds. By replicating realistic usage patterns, CNET aims to generate reliable durability data for the iPhone Duo and its competitors, including Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8.