The iPhone Duo went on sale on Friday at $1,999 (UK £1,999). Within days, users reported cracks on the inner display, some within hours of unboxing.
An owner in Australia reported only about 6 hours of ownership and fewer than 20 opens. They felt something near the internal hinge, then heard an audible crack, and the screen broke along the hinge. An Apple Store replaced the unit on the spot. A user in Dallas reported about 4 folds during setup, the hinge getting tight, then a loud pop.
There are about 10 or more similar reports from around the world, including demo units in China. The common pattern is bright pixel lines along the crease or hinge, both vertical and horizontal, while the outer screen is unaffected.
Apple said on Monday: “We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement.” Apple did not disclose the cause.
Apple briefly posted and then removed an “iPhone Duo Troubleshooting Hinge Issues” support page. Its advice was to remove third-party cases and screen protectors and to check the hinge for dust or dents.
Hinge failures from normal use are covered under the 1-year warranty, and the 14-day return window applies. One T-Mobile customer was told the carrier cannot replace Duo parts until January. Apple is collecting defective units for research. Counterpoint forecasts 6 million Duos this year, so the fault affects only a small fraction.