Apple’s first foldable device is reaching customers, but some early buyers are already encountering hardware faults. Multiple device owners have shared photographs and video footage documenting damaged inner displays, with cracks forming directly along the central folding mechanism according to reporting from The Verge. These affected units frequently display a distinct line of bright pixels cutting across one side of the screen.
Updated October 31, 2026
Early iPhone Duo Owners Report Hinge-Area Screen Cracks
One of the most detailed accounts comes from a buyer in Australia who experienced a failure after roughly six hours of use as reported by MacRumors.
The owner stated that the phone had been opened fewer than 20 times before breaking.
Had my iPhone Duo for about six hours and had probably opened it fewer than 20 times. While displaying the device to a companion, I noticed an unusual sensation near the inner mechanism beneath the display as I unfolded it. Pushing the fold outward produced a distinct snapping sound, and the panel fractured directly over the pivot point.
The same owner noted that the inner screen surface showed no visible marks. The external hinge showed no surface damage to suggest an object had been trapped inside or that the device had been dropped.
Following a visit to an Apple Store, staff replaced the broken unit immediately after an initial offer of an express replacement. Additional photographs showing similar display damage have surfaced from demo units in China, where the phone launched hours ahead of the United States. While some early reviewers subjected folding test units to rigorous stress without incident, those trials involved a very small sample size.
Retail Inventory Limits Complicate Replacement Logistics
That tight inventory has directly affected retail availability. Apple retail employees reported being instructed to warn customers away from walk-in purchases on launch day.
They were advising that local stores would likely hold zero inventory for buyers without prior reservations. Those inventory limits threaten to complicate replacement logistics for customers who encounter hardware issues.
Apple Remains Silent on Foldable Display Reports
Apple has not publicly commented on the display reports, leaving it unclear whether the damaged units stem from isolated assembly variations, component flaws, or external user handling. Because the flexible inner display represents one of the most complex engineering hurdles of the device, any hinge-related reports naturally draw scrutiny. The company has previously highlighted extensive durability engineering for the foldable system and designed certain elements to be serviceable through AppleCare+.
For now, industry observers emphasize that the known complaint volume remains minimal, and there is no verified evidence pointing to a systemic hardware defect across the production run. Normal hinge failures during standard operation remain protected under the standard one-year warranty, while customers taking delivery on launch day retain a standard two-week return window.
Assessing whether these incidents represent isolated anomalies depends on whether similar complaints accumulate. This will be determined as inventory reaches a wider consumer base in the coming weeks.
Update (October 27, 2026)
Apple has confirmed it will replace iPhone Duo units with screen issues, according to the BBC. The tech giant stated it is aware of "an issue impacting the inner display on a small number" of units, urging affected users to contact them for replacements. Some owners reported a crunching noise when opening the device, alongside cracks along the display's center crease. The foldable smartphone, priced at £1,999 ($2,668) in the UK, faced long queues at Apple stores during its launch.
The BBC highlighted that the inner display's central hinge, a complex engineering component, has led to flaws in folding devices from competitors. This follows earlier reports of snapped screens and bright pixel lines, though Apple has not yet disclosed the cause of the defects.
Update (October 31, 2026)
Apple issued an internal memo to technicians about iPhone Duo screen cracks, according to The Verge. The instructions for handling affected units are described as straightforward, with the memo suggesting the issue is widespread enough to require official guidance. iFixit told The Verge that cracks may result from the flexible screen pressing against a hinge component. The post, published October 30, 2026, adds details not previously outlined in the existing article. Apple confirmed a "small number" of units are affected, but no further specifics were provided.