Cupertino: Apple has said it will replace affected units of its newly launched foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, after customers reported cracks and display lines appearing on the device’s inner screen. The company acknowledged the issue on October 26, 2026, describing it as a problem affecting a small number of units and advising customers experiencing display issues to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

The development comes just days after the iPhone Duo began reaching customers. The device attracted strong initial demand, with online orders selling out quickly and supplies remaining limited in some markets. Reports of damaged screens have raised questions about the durability of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, particularly its display and central hinge mechanism.

Apple acknowledges inner-display problem

Apple confirmed that it was aware of an issue affecting the inner display of a small number of iPhone Duo units. The company said customers experiencing display problems should contact AppleCare to arrange a replacement.

However, Apple has not disclosed the exact number of affected devices or explained what caused the damage. It has also not announced a wider recall or a separate repair programme for all iPhone Duo owners.

The company has indicated that the problem appears to emerge relatively early in affected devices’ use. Reports suggest that most units are not experiencing the issue, although the full extent of the problem remains unclear.

Apple’s response is significant because the iPhone Duo represents the company’s entry into the foldable smartphone market, where display durability and hinge reliability are important considerations for buyers.

The replacement guidance gives affected customers a route to seek assistance while Apple continues to assess the situation.

Cracks reported near the central hinge

Several iPhone Duo owners shared photographs and accounts of damaged inner displays on social media after receiving their devices. The reported damage includes cracks and bright lines appearing around the central hinge, where the screen folds when the phone is opened or closed.

Some users have described unusual resistance or a popping sensation around the hinge before noticing damage to the display. In some reported cases, the screen problems appeared shortly after the device was first used.

These accounts have prompted questions about whether the issue could be connected to the phone’s folding mechanism or a component beneath the display.

However, the available reports do not establish that every damaged unit experienced the same failure or that the problem affects all devices manufactured. Apple has not publicly confirmed a specific mechanical or manufacturing cause.

The distinction is important because a defect affecting a limited batch of devices would require a different response from a design issue affecting the model more broadly.

iFixit examines a possible hinge-related cause

Repair specialist iFixit has investigated the reported damage using teardown footage, patents and CT scans to develop a three-dimensional simulation of the iPhone Duo’s hinge.

Its analysis suggested that a central support bar inside the hinge might fail to move clear of the display as the phone folds. If that occurs, pressure could become concentrated in a small area near the reported break locations.

The company identified a possible stress point beneath the screen near the path of a display cable. Such concentrated pressure could potentially contribute to cracking in the delicate inner display.

However, this remains a proposed explanation based on iFixit’s analysis, not a cause confirmed by Apple. Further investigation would be needed to determine whether the reported failures stem from the hinge design, manufacturing inconsistencies or another factor.

Interestingly, iFixit also described the iPhone Duo as the most repairable foldable phone it had tested, despite concerns about the inner display.

Strong demand adds pressure on replacement supplies

Apple began shipping the iPhone Duo the previous week, following considerable interest in its first foldable smartphone. Initial online inventory reportedly sold out within minutes, leaving availability constrained in some locations.

The limited supply could complicate replacement arrangements for customers whose devices develop display problems. Some affected users may need to wait for replacement stock, depending on availability in their region.

Apple has not provided a detailed breakdown of replacement timelines or the number of units set aside for service. Customers experiencing the problem should therefore contact AppleCare directly for guidance on their individual cases.

The reports also highlight the manufacturing challenges associated with foldable smartphones. Their screens and hinges must withstand repeated opening and closing while maintaining a thin, flexible form factor. Even a small mechanical or assembly problem can potentially affect the display.

For Apple, managing the replacement process efficiently will be important to maintaining customer confidence during the early stages of the product’s launch.

Analysts stress the importance of a quick response

Francisco Jeronimo, a vice president at market research firm IDC, described Apple’s decision to offer replacements as an appropriate first step. He pointed to the experience of Samsung, which faced durability problems with its original Galaxy Fold in 2019.

The earlier episode demonstrated how quickly concerns about a foldable device can affect consumer confidence, particularly when problems emerge soon after launch.

A prompt and transparent response can help limit reputational damage, but the longer-term outcome depends on understanding the cause and ensuring that affected customers receive appropriate support.

Apple has not yet explained whether it plans to introduce a hardware change or other corrective measures. Its immediate public guidance remains focused on replacing units that experience inner-display problems.

What iPhone Duo owners should do

Customers who notice cracks, bright lines or other unusual behaviour on their iPhone Duo’s inner display should contact AppleCare and follow the company’s instructions for assessment and replacement.

Users should avoid attempting to repair the hinge or display themselves, as doing so could cause additional damage. They should also retain purchase details and any relevant documentation when contacting support.

At present, Apple has not said that every iPhone Duo is at risk, and there is no confirmed evidence that the issue affects the entire product line. The number of affected units and the precise cause remain unknown.

The coming weeks should provide a clearer picture of whether the problem is limited to a small number of devices or points to a broader design or manufacturing concern.

For now, Apple’s replacement offer is intended to address customers who have experienced the fault while the company works to understand the issue. Its handling of the problem will be closely watched as it establishes its position in the competitive foldable smartphone market.