--- title: "Apple acknowledges foldable iPhone Duo screen defect: What is known about the issue and free replacements" description: "Apple confirmed a defect in the internal flexible screen of the iPhone Duo, manifesting as cracks along the fold line. Owners will receive a free replacement without AppleCare+, while the company has not disclosed exact causes or batch sizes." date: 2026-10-27T12:24:50.871Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/apple-acknowledges-iphone-duo-screen-defect tags: [apple, iphone-duo, foldable-smartphone, display-defect, applecare] author: "Roman V." publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Apple acknowledges foldable iPhone Duo screen defect: What is known about the issue and free replacements ![A person holding the foldable iPhone Duo smartphone with a damaged internal flexible screen](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/27/apple-priznala-defekt-ekrana-iphone-duo/apple-priznala-defekt-ekrana-iphone-duo-1.webp) ## Key Points - Apple officially acknowledged a defect in the iPhone Duo internal flexible display following owner complaints about fold-line cracks. - Device replacement is available for free, without needing the AppleCare+ extended warranty. - iFixit specialists pointed to a potential issue with the hinge support bar creating pressure on the OLED panel. - Apple is not disclosing the exact number of problematic devices or confirming hardware changes in future batches. 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. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Apple признала дефект iPhone Duo: можно ли бесплатно заменить смартфон](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/apple-viznala-defekt-iphone-duo-chi-mozhna-1793097241.html) - Primary source: Apple's official recognition, free replacement without AppleCare+, iFixit hinge data, non-disclosure of device count. - [Apple признала брак внутреннего экрана iPhone Duo: пострадавшим заменят смартфон](https://hi-tech.mail.ru/news/159006-apple-priznala-brak-vnutrennego-ekrana-iphone-duo/) - Confirms internal display defect (lines, fold-line cracks) and free screen or device replacement. - [Новый iPhone Duo начал сразу трескаться: что не так с новинкой от Apple? - Фото/Видео](https://oxu.az/ru/v-mire/novyj-iphone-duo-nachal-srazu-treskatsya-chto-ne-tak-s-novinkoj-ot-apple-foto-video) - Points to the October 23 sales launch and initial owner complaints regarding internal screen damage. - [У первых владельцев складного iPhone Duo выходят из строя дисплеи](https://korrespondent.net/lifestyle/gadgets/4923597-u-pervykh-vladeltsev-skladnoho-iPhone-Duo-vykhodiat-yz-stroia-dyspley) - Describes lines and dead pixels, with preliminary analysis pointing to a possible hinge defect. ## FAQ ### Is an AppleCare+ extended warranty required for a free replacement of a defective iPhone Duo screen? No, a pre-paid AppleCare+ extended warranty is not required to receive a new smartphone in exchange for a damaged one. ### What is the official cause of screen damage according to Apple? Apple has not yet named the official technical cause of the screen failure; iFixit specialists point to a potential issue with the hinge support bar. ### Does Apple disclose the exact number of problematic devices? No, the company does not disclose the exact number of defective devices and has not announced hardware changes in subsequent batches.