Apple confirms inner display issue on a small number of iPhone Duos

Apple has acknowledged that some iPhone Duo units have an inner display problem, days after reports spread of screens cracking along the hinge. In statements given to Engadget, The Verge and 9to5Mac, the company said it is aware of “an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units” and told affected users to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

Apple’s full statement also said early user response to the phone has been “incredibly positive” and that developers are quickly updating apps for its form factor.

What owners are reporting

Users described cracked inner screens along the center line of the hinge, often with a bright line running from the center toward the right side. Engadget reported that some units also show dead pixels along the crease. The Verge said some owners noticed the hinge tightening, and that opening the device then caused the crack and the bright lines. One user in Australia said an Apple Store replaced their unit “on the spot.”

Apple’s Alex Kirschner told The Verge that most units are not susceptible and that the issue shows up quickly on units that have the defect. 9to5Mac reported that owners do not need AppleCare+ for a replacement, and that people who bought through a carrier should contact AppleCare directly rather than the carrier.

On the cause, Engadget described the problem as appearing to be a defective inner hinge. Mike Rundle posted on X that he had seen seven photos and multiple TikTok videos of the failure and pointed to a defective hinge part pressing on the screen. iFixit, in its weekend teardown, showed how the foldable screen might push against a center bar where the damage has occurred.

Not every report is genuine. 9to5Mac said many Reddit posts showing the issue are legitimate but that a handful were fake, AI-generated reports.

Engadget said its review unit was not affected, nor was a Duo tested by CNET. It added that a unit being tested for hinge strength had completed more than 55,000 folds.

Why it matters

The iPhone Duo had been on sale for about three days when the reports emerged. Engadget noted that hinge problems are fairly common with foldables but typically do not show up this soon after a launch. The Verge said the phones are among the first devices to launch since John Ternus took over as CEO from Tim Cook.

Apple has not said how many units are affected, and the sources describe the number only as small.

What we don’t know yet

Apple has not confirmed a cause, and the explanation from iFixit is a possibility rather than a finding. The company has not given a figure for affected units or said whether it will change anything in production.