Users Report Cracked Displays on Apple iPhone Duo, iFixit Suggests Possible Causes

Apple's first book-style foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has attracted attention after a number of owners posted images of cracked inner displays. A Reddit user shared a photo on October 24 showing a crack along the folding crease, accompanied by a vertical green line and a discoloured pixel band. The user said the phone had been folded about four times before the hinge felt stiff, then produced a loud pop and the screen broke. The poster later received a replacement from Apple, but was told by their carrier that a new unit would only be available after joining a waiting list.

The complaints have appeared on Reddit and other social platforms, though the extent of the issue remains unclear. Some observers have speculated that the titanium hinge, which contains multiple moving parts, could be a factor, but no definitive link has been established.

Repair site iFixit, in a teardown video and blog post, described the iPhone Duo as one of the most repairable foldable phones while noting a major concern with the display. iFixit suggested that the support bar running through the device's centre might fail to retract properly, placing extra pressure on the flexible screen. It also pointed to the curved rails in the hinge mechanism, which, if they do not move as intended, could stress the folding display. These explanations are provisional and require further investigation.

YouTuber JerryRigEverything conducted a durability test in which folding the phone backwards caused damage to the inner screen. Apple cites an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, but such ratings do not measure resistance to mechanical stress from folding.

Apple advises owners who notice unusual hinge resistance, popping sounds, or display damage to avoid forcing the device and to contact Apple Support for assessment.