Apple‘s highly anticipated iPhone Duo is facing mounting complaints just days after its release, with customers reporting cracked displays, malfunctioning pixels and possible hinge failures on the company’s first foldable smartphone. The approximately $2,000 device, which began reaching customers Friday, has reportedly suffered internal screen damage after only hours of ordinary use, with several owners describing an audible crunch before the display failed. Apple has acknowledged problems affecting what it describes as a small number of devices and is offering replacements through AppleCare. Independent examinations suggest a potential mechanical weakness in the folding mechanism, although the precise cause remains unconfirmed. The controversy, dubbed “Crackgate,” raises questions about durability testing, quality control and whether Apple’s premium pricing is matched by the reliability consumers have every right to expect.
Key Takeaways
• Early Screen Failures: Multiple iPhone Duo owners report cracked inner displays, white pixel bands and hinge-related damage within hours or days of purchase, sometimes after fewer than 20 folds.
• Apple Acknowledges Defects: Apple confirms an issue affecting a small number of devices and offers replacements, but has not disclosed the cause, total number of affected units or whether corrective manufacturing changes are planned.
• Premium Pricing Under Scrutiny: Independent teardowns identify possible hinge weaknesses, raising concerns about the durability of Apple’s approximately $2,000 foldable smartphone and the adequacy of its prelaunch testing.
In-Depth
Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market has encountered an embarrassing early obstacle, as reports of broken iPhone Duo displays threaten to undermine the company’s reputation for premium engineering and reliability.
The approximately $2,000 handset began reaching customers Friday, but complaints quickly surfaced across social media. Owners described cracking along the central hinge, accompanied by bright white bands, dead pixels and unusable internal displays. Some reported hearing a crunching or popping sound immediately before the damage appeared.
The failures have been particularly troubling because several occurred after minimal use. One Australian customer reported screen damage within six hours and fewer than 20 openings. Other accounts describe similar failures within days of purchase, suggesting a recurring pattern rather than entirely unrelated accidents.
Apple acknowledged the complaints Monday, maintaining that only a small number of devices are affected. The company directed customers experiencing display problems to AppleCare for replacements but provided no definitive explanation for the failures or indication of whether manufacturing changes are necessary.
Independent hardware examinations have identified potential weaknesses within the complicated hinge assembly. Investigators suggest that internal support components could interfere with the folding display, concentrating pressure near the location where cracks repeatedly appear. Those findings remain preliminary.
The controversy arrives amid strong consumer demand, with initial inventories exhausted and substantial shipping delays reported. However, popularity does not excuse defective merchandise, particularly at a price approaching that of a capable laptop.
For Apple, the immediate challenge extends beyond replacing damaged phones. Establishing the cause, disclosing the scope of the problem and demonstrating a durable correction will determine whether Crackgate remains an isolated launch setback or becomes a lasting liability for its foldable smartphone ambitions.
Sources
• https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/26/iphone-duo-crack-apple-response/
• https://www.theverge.com/tech/1018290/dissected-iphone-duo-crackgate-hinge-screen
• https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/iphone-duo-screen-cracking-hinge-teardowns/