Apple acknowledges foldable iPhone Duo screen cracks in early units

Apple has confirmed an issue with the inner display of a small number of iPhone Duo units, the company’s first foldable phone. Customers have reported hearing a crunching sound when unfolding the device, followed by a crack along the central crease and, in some cases, a white patch on the right side of the screen. The problem was first noted on social media and later verified by Bloomberg, which obtained photos and support-case evidence from several owners.

Apple’s statement said the company is “aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units” and advised users experiencing the problem to contact AppleCare for a replacement. The company added that most Duo devices are not affected and that the defect appears quickly in the units that are.

Customers described the failure as a sudden increase in hinge resistance and a visible line or bruising on the screen. One user in San Diego said the phone felt “stuck/harder/slower to open than usual” and produced a crack when unfolded. Another user in Virginia reported that the local store could not provide a replacement immediately because of inventory shortages, leaving him waiting for a new device.

Repair platform iFixit suggested the cause may be a hinge component that fails and cracks the screen rather than a flaw in the display panel itself. IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo noted that similar learning curves have affected other manufacturers, citing Samsung’s early Galaxy Fold issues, and said Apple’s prompt referral of affected users to customer care is a “right first step.”

Apple indicated that a team is investigating the defect and that engineers are seeking affected units for analysis, though the company has not yet issued formal guidance to its retail or support staff. Several customers have already received replacements through Apple stores or authorized resellers.