Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has attracted praise for its design, but a serious hardware problem surfaced almost immediately after launch. Users in several countries have posted images showing a long crack that runs from top to bottom along the inner display’s hinge, the point where the device folds. The fracture is accompanied by a bright white line on the right side of the inner screen, indicating a pixel‑related issue caused by the damaged hinge.
Widespread reports of the hinge fracture
Social‑media posts and forum threads reveal that the problem is not confined to a single market. Owners in the United States, Australia and China have all shared photos of the same vertical split appearing on the inner display. While the exact prevalence of the defect remains unclear, the consistency of the visual evidence suggests a common manufacturing flaw rather than isolated mishandling.
Customer experiences and Apple’s response
One Australian Reddit user detailed his interaction with Apple support after discovering the crack less than six hours after unboxing the phone. The user reported that the device had been folded fewer than 20 times before the damage became visible. Apple’s phone support offered an express replacement but required the customer to “put down a hold for the full cost of the phone,” and could not guarantee a delivery timeline. The user then visited a nearby Apple Store, where staff “apologized and replaced it with a brand‑new one on the spot.” The incident indicates that Apple may keep a limited stock of replacement Duo units in its retail locations for early‑stage issues.
Technology news outlet MacRumors noted that Apple is likely collecting defective units for analysis. The company’s investigation could help identify the root cause of the hinge failure and inform changes to the production line for future batches.
Implications for the first‑generation device
First‑generation hardware often encounters software bugs and minor design quirks, but a full‑height crack in the display is an extreme defect that affects usability and durability. The visible crease at the hinge, which becomes more pronounced with repeated folding, was already reported by reviewers, yet the new cracking issue eclipses those concerns. If the problem proves to be systemic, Apple may need to issue a broader recall or provide a standardized repair program to avoid damaging consumer confidence in its inaugural foldable.
For now, affected owners appear to be receiving replacements on a case‑by‑case basis, but the situation underscores the challenges of launching a new form factor. Apple’s handling of the defect—particularly the availability of in‑store replacements—will likely shape early public perception of the iPhone Duo’s reliability.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
