Apple promises free iPhone Duo repairs after hinge-related screen failures

Apple confirmed on Monday that it is aware of a defect affecting the inner screens of the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone. The company said the issue impacts a small number of devices and that affected users should contact AppleCare for a replacement. The phones launched on Friday with pre-orders that generated long lines and wait times, but some early buyers have reported visible horizontal bright lines radiating from the hinge area.

The failures appear to stem from the mechanical design of the device's folding mechanism. iFixit, a device repair firm, published a teardown analysis on Sunday after testing the phone for dust resistance and structural integrity. Shahram Mokhtari, an iFixit technician, noted that customers often hear a crunching sound when folding or unfolding the phone and then continue using it despite the noise. Mokhtari stated that the hinge is shaped differently in the exact location where the damage occurs.

Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, posted on X that the hinge consists of dozens of parts manufactured with extreme precision. He explained that a minor manufacturing variance or even a single grain of sand can compromise the fragile display panel protected by the mechanism. While many reports of the issue come from anonymous users on forums like Reddit and X, and some images circulating online are fake, the physical teardown supports the validity of the complaints.

The iPhone Duo carries a starting price of $1,999. Apple's website lists the cost of an inner-screen repair at $999 for devices that are out of warranty. The company is covering the replacement cost for the affected units under its AppleCare warranty program. An Apple representative told CNBC that users experiencing display issues should reach out to AppleCare directly for a swap.

Screen durability has been a persistent challenge for foldable technology since 2019. That year, Samsung released one of the first folding devices, and reviewers found that the inner screen cracked during normal handling. This history has made display longevity a key concern for consumers considering the new form factor.

Early reviews of the iPhone Duo praised the user experience when the device is unfolded, particularly for multitasking and media consumption. However, reviewers noted that many applications had not yet been updated to fully utilize the larger, wider screens. Apple stated on Monday that developers are rapidly updating their apps to take advantage of the unique form factor. The company described the initial response from early users as incredibly positive.