YouTuber Itsub Defends iPhone Duo Durability Test Amid Apple Screen Crack Dispute
YouTuber Itsub denied receiving any compensation from Apple and warned of legal action after critics accused him of manipulating a durability test of the iPhone Duo, while Apple confirmed a limited internal screen issue and offered replacements.
Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has become the focus of a growing controversy over reports that its screen cracks at the fold. The company acknowledged on October 27 that a small number of units exhibit an internal screen defect and said it will provide replacements through AppleCare, though inventory shortages could delay fulfillment and out-of-warranty repairs may cost up to $999.
Technology YouTuber Itsub, whose channel has roughly 2.84 million subscribers, conducted a three-hour livestream on October 26 in which he repeatedly folded, twisted and sand-sprinkled a personally purchased iPhone Duo, claiming the device showed no cracking. After the broadcast, some viewers suggested the phone had been handled gently or swapped, prompting Itsub to share the critical comments on social media and assert that he “bought it with my own money” and “has never received a single won from Apple.”
"I have never received money from Apple," Itsub said, adding that a paid-promotion label shown on the stream was a loading error.
He also noted that the test included disassembly to measure display weight and assess image quality, observing that “the picture quality has improved, but it’s a shame that reflections appear.” Itsub called for Apple to issue a clear official statement on warranty repair policy and invited reports of damage cases in South Korea.
Market research firm TrendForce reported mixed early reactions to the iPhone Duo. While reviewers praised the split-screen capability and feel of the unfolded display, they highlighted issues such as black margins in apps, button placement and fingerprint-recognition challenges. TrendForce projected first-year shipments of about 5 million units, representing a 24.8 % share of the foldable-phone market, and noted that global foldable phone shipments are expected to grow only 0.5 % in 2026.
The firm’s analysis suggested that low crease visibility results from the device’s multilayer construction and hinge design, but a recent damaged unit indicated that stress may concentrate if the central support does not retract sufficiently. TrendForce emphasized the need for tighter control of hinge travel, support height, bonding precision and assembly tolerances.
The episode illustrates how early-stage quality concerns can amplify consumer anxiety, especially when a manufacturer provides limited information about the cause of a defect while independent reviewers face accusations of manipulation.