Apple says some new foldable iPhones are cracking

The iPhone Duo costs $1,999 at its starting price. Owners of the device are reporting cracked screens just days after the product launched on Oct. 23. Apple has now acknowledged the problem and instructed affected customers to request replacements.

The phone is Apple's first foldable model. It opens to reveal a 7.6-inch display and closes to a 5.4-inch smartphone size. Complaints began appearing online within hours of the launch. Users described bright white lines spreading across the display and unusual noises coming from the device before the screen failed.

Several reports indicate the damage appears in the same location. Cracks develop along the center of the inner display, near the hinge where the phone folds. On Reddit, user u/leftyhyzer16 said the screen cracked before setup was complete after only a few opens and closes. Another user, u/Midnight_Slump, reported a failure within six hours. A third user, u/chimchambam, said the display failed after three hours. That user was initially turned away by an Apple Store but eventually returned the phone through Verizon.

Apple provided a statement to news outlets on Oct. 26. The company said, "We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units." Apple has not disclosed how many devices are affected or identified the specific cause of the cracks. The company did not respond to further requests for comment before the article deadline.

Repair experts at iFixit disassembled the phone and used CT scans to examine the hinge. They found a small support bar that may not move far enough out of the way when the phone folds. If the display presses against that bar, the pressure could cause a crack. iFixit has not confirmed that this bar caused the reported damage, and Apple has not explained the root cause.

Replacing the inner display is a complicated process. iFixit gave the device a provisional repairability score of 5 out of 10. The company reported that an out-of-warranty inner-screen repair costs $999. This amount is roughly half the starting price of the phone. Apple says customers affected by this specific display issue should contact AppleCare for a replacement. An AppleCare+ subscription is not required to request help for the acknowledged defect.

Chris, a colleague of the reporter, switched from a Samsung Galaxy Fold to the iPhone Duo. He returned the device to Best Buy and bought an iPhone 18 Pro instead. He found the interface buggy and missed having Face ID. Chris said, "I think the craftsmanship is phenomenal. I love the heft and the solid nature of the device, but because I’m coming from a foldable, there were so many glaring missteps that Apple made along the way, and at first they were little, but little things add up to the point where you genuinely question whether this truly was ready for prime time."

Apple has not stated whether replacement devices will have the same design. Owners are advised to document any damage with photos and save their purchase receipts. If the screen still works, users should back up their data via iCloud before handing over the device. Apple recommends contacting AppleCare directly, even if the phone was purchased through a wireless carrier.