Apple Confirms Screen Cracking Reports on Foldable iPhone Duo, Offers Replacements

Apple has acknowledged screen cracking issues affecting a small number of units of its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, following complaints from users who reported hearing cracking sounds and finding visible crease-area cracks when unfolding the device.

In a statement to media, Apple said it is aware of the issue on a limited number of iPhone Duo devices and advised affected customers to contact AppleCare for replacement. The company added that the vast majority of devices are unaffected and that affected units typically show the fault early in use.

According to an Apple employee, the company has not yet issued formal instructions to retail stores and support staff, but a team has started an investigation, with some engineers working to collect affected devices for analysis.

User reports suggest the failure often occurs within hours or days of purchase. One user said the phone felt stiffer than usual when unfolding and later revealed lines on the screen with a bump or loose component beneath the display. Another user said the phone had never been dropped or squeezed, but the hinge suddenly tightened during unfolding before a clear breaking sound was heard and bright lines appeared on the inner screen.

Some users, however, have encountered difficulties getting replacements. One user in Virginia said a local store confirmed the fault as a product defect, but the Genius Bar had no available appointments, and after being checked at another store, the user was still waiting due to stock shortages. The user noted that the device starts at $1,999 and that the store had not set aside inventory for defective units.

Apple has not disclosed the number of affected devices or the root cause. Teardown platform iFixit suggested the issue may stem from a failed hinge component causing the screen to crack, rather than a defect in the display panel itself.