California: Apple has announced replacement support for a small number of its new iPhone Duo devices after users reported screen defects just days after the highly anticipated foldable smartphone went on sale.
The issue has raised concerns over the durability of the company’s first foldable iPhone, which starts at $2,668 (£1,999) in the United Kingdom. The technology giant confirmed that it was aware of an issue affecting the inner displays of some devices and advised customers experiencing problems to contact Apple for a replacement.
Photos shared on social media showed lines appearing across the screens, while some users reported cracks along the central crease and unusual crunching noises when opening the phones. One user, Justin Lokos, shared an image of an iPhone Duo with visible lines on the right side of its display. He later posted a photograph of the damaged device alongside its replacement, thanking an Apple Store in New York for assisting him.
However, the full extent of the problem remains uncertain. Apple has not disclosed how many devices are affected, and questions have also emerged about the authenticity of some images circulating online, as certain photographs may have been generated using artificial intelligence.
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display connected by a central hinge, a sophisticated mechanism that allows the device to fold into a more compact form. Similar engineering challenges have affected foldable smartphones from competing manufacturers. Samsung, for example, faced criticism in 2019 after reviewers reported screen failures involving its first Galaxy Fold device, prompting concerns about the reliability of foldable technology.
The launch of the iPhone Duo represents a significant development in Apple’s smartphone strategy as the company seeks to strengthen its product lineup and compete with established foldable phone makers. When closed, the device resembles a wider iPhone, while open it reveals a larger screen similar to a small tablet.
Priced at up to £3,199 ($4,269) for its highest-end configuration, the Duo is the most expensive iPhone released by Apple to date. Its introduction also marks the company’s first major iPhone redesign in nearly two decades.
Unveiled by Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook in September, the device is intended to offer a new approach to foldable smartphones. Ternus previously stated that the company wanted to deliver a foldable experience that avoided the compromises associated with some competing products.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding its launch, the reported display problems could present an early challenge for Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market. The company’s handling of replacement requests and the durability of subsequent devices may play an important role in shaping consumer confidence in the new product.
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