Apple to replace iPhone Duo foldables after reports of screen faults

Apple has acknowledged that some of its new iPhone Duo foldable handsets have developed screen problems, only days after the phone went on general sale globally on Friday. The company said it is aware of an issue affecting the inner display on a small number of units.

In a statement, Apple said users who experience problems with their Duo display should contact AppleCare for a replacement. It also said the response from early users had been incredibly positive and described demand as nothing short of extraordinary.

Owners have posted photos on Reddit and other social media showing lines across the screen and cracks along the central crease. Some also reported a crunching or cracking noise when opening the device. One user in Australia wrote that the screen broke along the hinge within six hours of getting the phone, and said a local Apple store replaced it immediately. The Guardian said it could not verify that account. Bloomberg, as cited by the Guardian, reported similar issues among users in the US and India.

The extent of the problem is unclear. Apple has not said how many devices are affected, and the BBC noted that some images of faulty devices may have been created using AI. Apple believes the affected units show defects soon after use, according to the Guardian.

Francisco Jeronimo, a vice-president at research firm IDC, said it was too early to tell whether the issue is significant and that such problems are common when a new product launches. He pointed to Samsung's original Galaxy Fold, which had broken screens reported in 2019, and said a fast and transparent response can limit damage to a product category. Ben Wood of research firm CCS said there was no evidence yet of a more widespread issue.

The Duo is Apple's first foldable iPhone and its most expensive. It starts at $1,999 in the US and £1,999 in the UK, rising to £3,199 for the most expensive models, according to the BBC. Its inner display measures 7.6 inches and is held by a central hinge. It was unveiled by chief executive John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook in September.

Jeronimo said that with 28 more markets launching on 30 October, Apple needs to clarify its warranty position quickly. The Economic Daily of Taiwan reported that the device has sold out and the next shipments are not expected until January.