… Apple Acknowledges iPhone Duo Screen Defect, Offers Replacement for Affected Devices

CUPERTINO: Apple has officially acknowledged a defect affecting the inner displays of some units of its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, and has advised customers experiencing screen problems to contact AppleCare for device replacement.

The announcement comes just days after the phone went on sale globally on October 23, when users in several countries began reporting on social media platforms and forums, including Reddit, that their devices’ inner screens were cracking along the central hinge crease.

Several users also shared images showing a bright line extending from the centre of the display towards the right side.

The development has brought mixed news for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, as the company has also released the iOS 27.2 update, introducing Apple Pencil support and a new feature for video calls.
Apple confirms display issue
In statements provided to 9to5Mac, Bloomberg and The Verge, Apple said early customer feedback on the iPhone Duo had been highly positive, with developers rapidly updating their applications to take advantage of its distinctive design.

However, the company acknowledged that it was aware of an issue affecting the inner displays of some units and advised customers experiencing problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

According to a company spokesperson, most devices are not affected by the defect, and the problem appears relatively early in use on units that have it.

Apple has not disclosed how many devices are affected, identified the precise cause of the defect or confirmed whether it plans to make changes to its manufacturing process.
Users report cracks along the hinge
Customer complaints have followed a broadly similar pattern. Some users say the hinge begins to feel unusually stiff before the inner display cracks down the middle when the phone is unfolded. Bright lines subsequently appear on the screen, while others have reported hearing a cracking sound when opening the device.

One Australian customer reportedly said the display broke after the phone had been unfolded fewer than 20 times. An Apple Store replaced the device immediately, according to the account.

However, the overall scale of the problem remains unclear. The BBC and 9to5Mac have noted that some images circulating on social media appear to be fabricated using artificial intelligence, although several complaints are believed to be genuine.

Repair website iFixit published a teardown of the device last weekend and suggested that the folding display might be experiencing pressure around a central internal strip, with certain components potentially exerting excessive force on the screen. This remains iFixit’s assessment and has not been confirmed or rejected by Apple.
How affected customers can obtain replacements
According to 9to5Mac, customers do not necessarily need an AppleCare+ subscription to obtain a replacement for a device affected by the reported defect.

Customers who purchased their phones through mobile network operators have also been advised to contact AppleCare directly rather than relying solely on their network provider.

The guidance is significant because out-of-warranty repairs can be expensive. In the United States, replacing the iPhone Duo’s inner display costs $999 without warranty coverage, compared with $99 for customers covered by AppleCare+.
Foldable displays remain a durability challenge
Durability has been a longstanding concern across the foldable smartphone industry. Samsung’s first Galaxy Fold encountered similar problems in 2019, when several review units developed screen defects before the device’s wider commercial rollout.

Apple entered the foldable market after years of development, promoting the iPhone Duo as its thinnest iPhone when unfolded and highlighting the durability of its hinge mechanism.

The reported defect could present a challenge for the company, particularly as the iPhone Duo is among the first major products associated with new CEO John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook in September.

According to Android Authority, Ternus recently described early foldable phones as slow and poorly made in an interview with Time magazine.
iOS 27.2 adds Apple Pencil support and Edge Light
Apple released iOS 27.2 on Monday, marking the first major update to iOS 27, which was introduced in September.

The update’s most notable addition for the iPhone Duo is Apple Pencil support, which Apple had previously said would arrive by the end of the year.

It also introduces a feature called Edge Light, designed to illuminate users’ faces during video calls.

The update brings further improvements to Siri AI, enabling the assistant to recall previous conversations and draw information from images shared in Messages, calendar participants, voicemails and Safari browsing history.

Siri AI is also expanding to French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, although the feature is unavailable in the European Union and China.

Apple has additionally addressed more than 160 security vulnerabilities in the update and recommends that users install it promptly. The update can be downloaded by navigating to Settings, selecting General and then Software Update.
What Pakistani customers should know
In Pakistan, the iPhone Duo was reportedly made available through Apple’s authorised distributor, Mercantile, on the first day of its global launch. Its official price starts at Rs899,999.

Devices sold through Mercantile are PTA-approved and come with a one-year official Apple warranty, according to the information provided.

Apple does not operate its own retail store in Pakistan and has not clarified the precise replacement procedure for customers in different countries.

Pakistani users who notice cracks or unusual lines on their device’s inner display should avoid further use and promptly contact Apple Support or their authorised seller, keeping their purchase receipt available.

Customers buying a new device are also advised to inspect the inner display carefully by opening and closing the phone several times at the time of purchase.

The reported defect raises fresh questions about the durability of foldable smartphones, while Apple’s replacement guidance may help affected customers avoid potentially substantial repair costs.