Apple Confirms Hinge Defect in Small Number of New Foldable Phones
Owners report inner screens cracking within hours of purchase on devices priced between $2,000 and $3,000.
By Thiago Kovalenko ·
Apple acknowledged on Tuesday that a limited number of iPhone Duo units are experiencing inner display failures. The company told CBS News that users facing this specific issue should contact AppleCare for a replacement. This admission follows a wave of social media posts from customers who purchased the new foldable device.
The iPhone Duo went on sale on Oct. 23. Within days, photos and videos circulated online showing cracked screens on the new hardware. The damage typically appears as a line running through the center of the inner display, right at the hinge where the device folds. This represents the first major product rollout under new Apple CEO John Ternus.
Jesse Dalton, a resident of Frisco, Texas, bought the phone on launch day. He paid approximately $800 for the 512-gigabyte model after an AT&T trade-in promotion. The full retail price for that configuration is about $2,200. Higher-end models top out at $3,000. Dalton described putting a case on the phone and attempting to open it. The device felt tight near the middle of the hinge. He pushed past the resistance, heard a loud pop, and the screen cracked immediately. He noted that a local Apple Store had a replacement on hand and swapped the device in about 30 minutes.
Roneshia Smith purchased a Duo as a graduation gift for her wife. The phone cracked less than 24 hours after purchase. Smith described waking up and reaching for the phone on the nightstand. She could not open the device due to heavy resistance. When she finally forced it open, they heard a cracking noise similar to an egg breaking. She said Apple Store staff told her the device could not be repaired and that a replacement was the only option. She remains unsure when she will receive the new unit.
Apple stated in a written response that early user feedback has been positive and that developers are quickly updating apps to support the new form factor. The company confirmed it is aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of units. It advised users with display problems to reach out to AppleCare.
Lance Ulanoff, an editor at TechRadar, explained that the folding screen contains multiple layers, including an OLED panel, glass, a plastic covering, and a mechanical hinge. He identified the ultra-thin glass as the most fragile component. Ulanoff noted that Apple’s quick acknowledgment of the defect is unusual for the company. He said he has used a Duo for a week and a half without encountering the problem. He described the current situation as a potential blip and recommended that owners with damaged devices make an appointment at an Apple Store rather than walking in.
The reports emerged as Apple prepared for another product event in Los Angeles this week. The company is expected to unveil a touchscreen laptop at that gathering.
