Foldable iPhone Cracks Within Hours
Apple confirms display defects in early iPhone Duo units, offering immediate replacements to affected customers.
By Rafael Collins ·
Six hours after taking ownership, one Australian user felt a shift around the internal hinge of their new iPhone Duo. As they opened the device, they heard an audible crack. The screen broke along the hinge line, leaving a visible malfunction.
This is not an isolated complaint. Since the handset went on general sale globally on Friday, reports have spread across Reddit and other social platforms. Users in the United States and India describe similar symptoms. The device retails from $1,999, or £1,499. It is Apple's first foldable phone.
Apple acknowledged the problem on Sunday. The company stated it is aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. It advised users who experience display issues to contact AppleCare for a replacement. The company noted that affected units are showing defects quickly after use.
Despite the hardware reports, Apple described the initial response as incredibly positive. The firm called demand for the iPhone Duo nothing short of extraordinary. This launch marks the first major product release under new chief executive John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook in September. According to the Economic Daily, a Taiwan-based publication, the device has sold out. The next round of shipments is not expected until January. Foxconn, the main manufacturer, is based in Taiwan.
Analysts urge caution regarding the scale of the problem. Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of data and analytics at IDC, said it is too early to tell whether the screen issue is significant. He noted that such problems are common when new products enter the market. He drew a parallel to Samsung's original Galaxy Fold in 2019. That device faced similar issues, but a fast and transparent response contained the damage to the category. Jeronimo called Apple's decision to offer replacements the right first step.
Ben Wood, chief analyst at the research firm CCS, took a very cautious view of the screen problem. He said there is as yet no evidence of a more widespread issue with the device. The Guardian has been unable to verify the specific claims made by the users who posted their experiences online.
The Australian user who posted the initial report said their local Apple store replaced the phone immediately. Another Australian user reported hearing almost a cracking noise on their handset. That noise resulted in a similar screen malfunction. Bloomberg reported similar issues among users in the US and India.
