iFixit rates iPhone Duo repairability higher than rival foldables but warns of hinge dust issues

Apple’s iPhone Duo received a provisional repairability score of five out of ten from iFixit, the highest yet for a foldable device, but the assessment notes significant challenges with the inner display and hinge. The teardown team found that battery replacement and removal of cameras, logic boards and other components were straightforward, requiring several screwdriver types and the application of voltage to release adhesives.

"Replacing them takes a lot of work, and the price could put owners off repairing the phone at all," iFixit said.

The inner foldable screen, which folds around a central hinge, proved more problematic. iFixit observed damage not at the display cable but slightly lower, where multiple edges converge, suggesting stress on the screen caused by the hinge’s design. Tests that involved opening and closing the device after dropping it into a bag of glowing powder caused the hinge to emit a "crunch" sound, indicating potential mechanical strain.

Dust ingress was lower than in competing foldables, yet enough particles entered the hinge area to affect its operation. Cleaning the flexible display requires heat and a pick, making the process unsuitable for most users. The outer screen was easier to detach, and the thin film surrounding the device peeled off without difficulty.

iFixit concluded that while the Duo is more repairable than other foldables, the complexity and cost of fixing the inner screen and hinge may lead owners to rely on AppleCare+ coverage. Conventional smartphones, such as the latest Fairphone, achieved higher repairability scores.

"You’d better baby that screen, Duo owners, and maybe quit carrying around that pocket sand," iFixit added.