Apple's first foldable screen iPhone was originally expected to define the first year of the new CEO John Ternus' ( John Ternus ) tenure. Just four days after the product reached consumers, Apple began replacing phones whose screens cracked along the fold lines, and repair experts believe they may have already known the cause.
Some of the first users who purchased this device, which was priced at $1,999 and went on sale on October 23, reported that the 7.6-inch screen of the phone cracked along the hinge area, and sometimes the issue occurred within just a few hours after opening the box. On Monday, Apple informed customers that the company "is aware of a problem with the screens of a small number of devices" and advised affected customers to contact [support number] for a replacement.
These reports cast a shadow over what was originally a strong start. After reservations opened on October 16th, the orders were sold out within minutes, and most of the early reviews were also positive.
Investors also noticed this. Apple's stock price fell 1.1% on Monday to $343.91, and continued to decline during pre-market trading on Tuesday, despite the broader tech sector being on the rise at that time.
What did the user report?
Photos shared on the Reddit and MacRumors forums show that the inner screen cracks along the centerline of the hinge, often accompanied by a horizontal pixel band that remains white. As described by Tom on Guide, some devices develop a bright white line on the right side of the display screen.
An Australian user reported that his phone cracked after about six hours of use, with less than 20 opening and closing actions; Notebookcheck quotes this statement, mentioning that there was also an obvious “clicking” sound before the damage occurred.
The scope of the issue is still unclear at present. Bloomberg reported on Monday that the number of complaints is increasing; as of Sunday, 9to5Mac had counted around 10 separate cases. MacRumors reports that some images circulating online seem to have been generated by AI, and reviewers who tested this phone before its official release did not report similar malfunctions.
iFixit What has been discovered?
The most valuable clue currently comes from iFixit. This institution disassembled iPhone and Duo over the weekend, and combined with CT scan and disassembly videos as well as Apple patents to create a 3D model of the hinge. They then compared this model with the locations of faults on user screens. Reuters reported that the damage was concentrated in areas where the display cable passes beneath the screen, near the central support rod.
One possibility is that when the phone is closed, the support rod does not retract completely, thereby pressing on the display screen. iFixit It is also indicated that pressure, particles that get caught in between, repeated bending, or manufacturing defects could all be possible causes, and further investigation is still needed. Apple has not commented on these findings.
This hinge structure is quite complex: Apple claims it consists of over 100 components. CEO Kyle Wenns warned in a quote that "even slight differences in manufacturing tolerances, or a single grain of sand, could ruin the fragile display panel it protects."
And "a single grain of sand" is not just a hypothesis. Dust tests conducted on the iFixit have shown that tiny particles have entered the hinge mechanism, causing it to make cracking noises, despite this phone having a IP68 level of protection; while the internal components are sealed, the movable hinge clearly is not. On a positive note, the iFixit has given the Duo a provisional repairability score of 5 out of 10 (with a full score of 10), which is the highest score ever given to a foldable screen phone to date.
What does Apple have to say about it?
Apple's full statement provided to 9to5Mac first emphasizes the positive aspects: "Early users have responded very positively to iPhone and Duo. We also see that developers are quickly updating their applications to take advantage of its unique design. We are aware that there are issues with the inner screens of a small number of iPhone and Duo devices. If users experience problems with the iPhone and Duo displays on their devices, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement."
According to 9to5Mac, Apple states that most devices are not affected, and the issue usually appears shortly after purchase. Users do not need to purchase AppleCare to get a replacement; if purchased through a carrier, they should contact AppleCare directly.
Apple has not yet explained the cause of the cracking, nor has it indicated whether a fix will be released, nor has it announced a recall. Affected users are already able to get replacements at stores, but due to limited inventory, some people are still waiting.
Once the phone is out of warranty, the costs become different. Apple lists the cost for repairing the inner screen at $999, which is about half of the starting price of this phone. A comparison with iFixit shows that this price is significantly higher than the similar repair costs for Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which are around $419 to $579.
Currently, early buyers are still within the warranty period. As stated by Tom's Guide, Apple's one-year warranty covers defects that occur during normal use, and there is also a 14-day return window available.
Positive reviews and high demand for purchases
Apple released Duo on September 9th, marking the long-awaited entry of foldable screens into the market by the company referred to as Fortune. Tenuis stated in Apple's release statement: " iPhone Duo is the most transformative change since the first generation of iPhone."
When unfolded, the Duo is Apple's thinnest iPhone to date, with an inner screen area that is 50% larger than that of the iPhone. This screen features a matte nano-textured surface designed to reduce glare and conceal fingerprints. When closed, the 5.4-inch outer screen covers approximately 90% of the area of the iPhone Pro screen. This phone is powered by the A20 Pro chip and comes with iOS 27, as well as Apple's new Siri AI Assistant beta version.
Buyers really wanted it. Once reservations opened, the shipping dates for all configurations in the United States were postponed to January 25th, with Apple describing the demand as "unprecedentedly strong."
The review community has also given it generally positive feedback. The evaluations praised its almost invisible creases and battery life; a laboratory test recorded nearly 29 hours of video playback time, which is about half an hour more than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. The most common complaint is that third-party applications have not yet been updated for the wider screen.
The durability issues of early foldable screens are not new. When Samsung launched one of the first foldable phones in 2019, reviewers quickly noticed that the inner screen would crack during normal use. Analysts stated that Samsung Display is the sole supplier of foldable panel Duo.
What does it mean for Apple?
Tenuis took over as CEO from Tim Cook on September 1st ( Tim Cook ), a transition that Apple announced in April. This former head of hardware engineering is known for his expertise in device business, and Duo is his first major product since taking on the role of CEO.
The impact of this matter is not limited to a single model. According to data from The Associated Press, iPhone contributed $209.6 billion in revenue to Apple during its most recent fiscal year, which is slightly more than half of the company's total sales.
Tenuis is set to respond to investors on this issue for the first time soon. Apple will announce its financial results for the fourth quarter on November 2nd. The quarter ended before the Duo shipments, but this will be the first earnings conference call since the release of that product.
If the scope of the defect is limited and can be quickly resolved by replacement, the impact may subside quickly; however, for a phone that sells for $2,000 and is marketed as being durable, if there are persistent issues, the situation will become more difficult to manage. For now, Apple's advice to users with screen damage is quite simple: contact AppleCare.
