Apple acknowledged on Monday that a small number of its first foldable iPhone Duo units have developed cracks and lines on the inner display along the hinge and said it will replace affected devices through AppleCare.
Apple said on Monday it will replace a small number of iPhone Duo units after owners reported cracks and lines appearing on the inner display along the central hinge, days after the company's first foldable phone went on sale.
The company told Reuters and other outlets that it is aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of units and that affected devices tend to show the problem quickly. Users should contact AppleCare for a replacement; AppleCare+ is not required.
The Duo, which starts at about $1,999 and opens into a 7.6-inch tablet-like screen, launched last week under new chief executive John Ternus. Some owners posted photos of vertical or horizontal lines and cracks near the crease, and a few described a crunching sound when folding. iFixit analysis suggested a support bar near a display cable may fail to clear the screen properly, creating a stress point.
Apple's statement to Reuters and 9to5Mac confirms the replacement policy and the limited scope of the problem. The BBC reported the same company language and noted that the extent remains unclear because Apple has not released a count of affected units, and some social-media images may be AI-generated. No source has contradicted the core facts of the acknowledgment and the replacement offer.
The episode echoes early problems with Samsung's Galaxy Fold in 2019, when reviewers saw screen failures shortly after launch. For Apple, which spent years developing the Duo after rivals had already shipped foldables, the issue arrives just as the company is trying to reinvigorate iPhone sales with its most expensive model yet. The next markers will be how many units Apple replaces, whether the company identifies a root cause, and whether the problem spreads beyond the early reports.