Apple’s first foldable iPhone has been on sale for only days, and some buyers are already reporting a costly problem — the screen cracks when they open it.
The $1,999 iPhone Duo, which went on sale Friday, October 23, has prompted complaints from customers who say its inner display failed within hours or days, according to CNBC.
Apple has acknowledged an issue affecting a small number of phones and is telling owners to request replacements.
iPhone Duo Buyers Report Cracks After Days of Use
Customers began posting photos and accounts of damaged screens on Reddit and other social media platforms over the weekend.
According to Bloomberg, more than half a dozen owners shared photos of broken devices or records of conversations with Apple Support.
Several described a cracking or crunching noise when they unfolded the phone, followed by damage along the middle crease.
Some displays also developed bright white areas or lines, leaving parts of the screen unusable, as per the outlet.
San Diego customer Tom Battle told Bloomberg his phone suddenly felt different when he tried to open it.
“I went to unfold it and it felt stuck/harder/slower to open than usual. And when I opened it it had the lines on the screen,” he said.
“You could feel a bump or loose piece under the display.”
Apple Acknowledges iPhone Duo Screen Problem
Apple responded Monday, October 26, confirming that it knows about the complaints.
“We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement,” the company said, according to CNBC.
Apple maintains that most devices are unaffected and that the problem tends to appear early in the ownership period.
The company has not disclosed how many units are defective or identified the cause.
Another iPhone Duo Customer Describes Screen Failure
Venture capitalist Jonathan King told Bloomberg that he heard a crunching noise as he unfolded his phone on Monday. “I had all intent to post a positive review of my Duo experience today, until it happened to me,” he said.
“The smaller outer screen works just fine, but the inner screen is now unusable,” he added.
King also reported that his phone registered touches on the damaged inner display even when he was not touching it.
The complaints come at a sensitive time for Apple, which spent years developing its first foldable phone and promoted the durability of its hinge and screen.
What Should iPhone Duo Owners Do?
Apple is asking customers who notice display problems to contact AppleCare about a replacement.
Some affected buyers have already received replacement phones, according to reports, although availability may vary by location.
Repair website iFixit has suggested that a support component inside the hinge could put pressure on the folding display. That explanation remains unconfirmed.
For now, the reports do not establish a widespread failure across all iPhone Duo phones. But for owners whose devices have already cracked, Apple’s replacement process will be the immediate concern.
Apple’s $2,000 Foldable iPhone Faces Trouble as Screens Crack Within Hours