Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has acknowledged display problems affecting a small number of its recently launched iPhone Duo devices and said customers experiencing the issue can obtain replacements through AppleCare.
The announcement came on Monday, days after Apple began shipping its first foldable iPhone. Reports circulating on social media over the weekend showed cracks and lines appearing on the device’s inner display near the central hinge.
Apple has not identified the cause of the reported defects. Independent repair specialist iFixit has examined the device’s hinge design and identified a possible source of stress near the areas where damage has been reported.
Apple began shipping the iPhone Duo last week following initial online orders that sold out within minutes.
The device, which unfolds in a format similar to a passport booklet, attracted customer interest during its initial release, with limited inventory reported across markets.
However, social media posts published over the weekend showed some units developing visible damage to their inner displays, including cracks and lines near the central folding mechanism.
Apple acknowledged the reports on Monday and indicated that affected devices generally show signs of the problem shortly after use begins.
“We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units,” Apple said in a statement. “If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement.”
The company did not provide an estimate of the total number of affected devices or disclose a technical explanation for the problem.
Electronics repair specialist iFixit conducted an independent examination of the iPhone Duo’s hinge design following the reports of display damage.
The company used device teardown footage, patent information and computed tomography scans to construct a three-dimensional simulation of the folding mechanism.
It then compared the simulated hinge structure with the locations where users had reported damage.
According to iFixit, the reported defects were concentrated near an area beneath the display where a cable passes close to a central support bar.
The repair specialist suggested that the support bar might not be moving sufficiently out of the display’s path when the device is folded, potentially “creating a small stress hotspot near the reported break location,” the company said.
The findings represent iFixit’s technical assessment rather than a confirmed explanation of the display problems.
Apple did not immediately comment on the analysis.
Alongside its examination of the possible display issue, iFixit evaluated the iPhone Duo’s repairability.
The company concluded that the device was the most repairable foldable smartphone it had tested.
That assessment was separate from its investigation into the reported screen damage and the possible interaction between the hinge components and inner display.
Apple has not confirmed whether the reported defects are related to the mechanism identified in iFixit’s simulation.
The iPhone Duo’s launch comes amid expectations that its manufacturing requirements could limit initial availability.
Analysts have identified the complexity of producing Apple’s first foldable smartphone as a potential source of supply constraints.
Initial online inventory sold out within minutes, while customers lined up for available devices following the product’s release.
The reported display problems emerged during this early distribution period, although Apple has not disclosed whether the replacement program will affect delivery schedules or product availability.
Francisco Jeronimo, a vice president at market research firm IDC, described Apple’s decision to offer replacements as the “right first step” in addressing the reported problems.
He also referred to Samsung’s experience with the original Galaxy Fold, which encountered technical difficulties following its introduction in 2019.
“We all remember when Samsung experienced problems with the original Galaxy Fold in 2019, but it also showed that a fast and transparent response can contain the damage to a category,” Jeronimo said.
The comparison highlights the importance of manufacturers’ responses to technical issues affecting newly introduced foldable smartphones.
Apple has directed customers experiencing display problems to AppleCare for replacement assistance.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone has entered the market amid initial demand, limited inventory and reports of display defects affecting a small number of units.
The company has acknowledged the issue and offered replacements but has not disclosed its cause or the number of devices affected.
Meanwhile, iFixit’s independent examination has identified a possible mechanical stress point near the folding mechanism, although Apple has not confirmed the findings.
Further information about the scope of the issue and any technical changes to the device has not been provided.
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