Apple has officially confirmed the presence of a hardware defect in the foldable iPhone Duo smartphone, which manifests as damage to the internal flexible display. The company's statement came after owners began massively publishing photos of cracks running clearly down the center of the internal screen along the hinge mechanism line on thematic forums and social networks within days of the sales launch. Cupertino emphasizes that the defect has been recorded in only a small number of smartphones, while the fact of actual damage is confirmed not only by user posts but also by service requests, despite isolated fake reports online.
Free replacement without extended warranty
In an official statement, Apple reported that it is aware of the issue and is actively working with customers. A key condition for owners is that a pre-paid AppleCare+ extended warranty is not required to receive a new smartphone in exchange for the damaged one. The company also recommends that those who purchased the iPhone Duo through mobile carriers contact AppleCare service directly rather than the seller. According to available data, some buyers have already successfully received new devices at official Apple Store locations, although replacement speed directly depends on gadget availability in warehouses.
What repair specialists found
Apple has not yet disclosed the official technical cause of the screen failure. At the same time, repair specialists from iFixit, after disassembling the device, pointed out several potentially vulnerable structural areas. Specifically, according to their observations, the central hinge support bar may not fully retract when the casing is closed, creating excessive internal pressure on the flexible OLED panel and likely leading to cracks and lines along the fold line.
What Apple has not yet disclosed
At present, the company is not disclosing the exact number of problematic devices and has not announced hardware changes in subsequent production batches of the iPhone Duo. This leaves open the question of whether the defect is limited to the first batch of smartphones or if it might affect subsequent shipments as well. Users who have encountered screen damage are advised not to delay contacting service to take advantage of the replacement program while the device is in new status.
Context: The foldable novelty and its reliability
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable smartphone, and its flexible display immediately came into focus from both an innovation and reliability perspective. In parallel, the company's other flexible product is being discussed—a unique tablet reportedly being tested in Cupertino and positioned higher in price than the iPad Pro. For the foldable lineup, the durability of the hinge and flexible panel is critical: even a single yet systemic defect at launch shapes the first impression of the entire device category and can influence future buyers' decisions.
