Apple has confirmed that a small number of its newly launched iPhone Duo handsets have developed problems with their inner displays, prompting the company to offer replacements just days after the highly anticipated foldable smartphone went on sale.
The issues emerged after users shared photographs on social media showing lines across the folding screen, cracks along the central crease and other display-related concerns. Apple has acknowledged the problem and advised affected customers to contact the company for a replacement.
The iPhone Duo starts at £1,999 in the UK, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone to date.
Apple Confirms Inner Display Problems
Apple said it was aware of an issue affecting the inner displays of a small number of iPhone Duo units. The company has asked customers experiencing the problem to contact its support team to arrange a replacement.
Photographs shared online show visible lines running across sections of the foldable display. Other users have reported cracks appearing along the screen’s central crease, while some have complained about a crunching noise when opening the device.
However, the overall scale of the problem remains unclear. Apple has not disclosed how many handsets are affected, and some of the images circulating online may have been generated using artificial intelligence.
iPhone Duo Screen Issues Emerge Days After Launch
The display complaints surfaced shortly after the iPhone Duo went on sale, following crowds at Apple stores around the world.
One customer, Justin Lokos, shared a photograph of a handset with lines across the right side of its inner display. He later posted an image of a replacement device alongside the faulty phone, thanking an Apple store in New York for its assistance.
The reports have raised questions about the durability of Apple’s first foldable smartphone, particularly its ability to withstand repeated opening and closing.
Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Costs Up to £3,199
The iPhone Duo represents Apple’s first major redesign of the iPhone since the product line was introduced nearly two decades ago.
The device features a 7.6-inch inner display connected by a central hinge. When folded, it resembles a wider conventional iPhone. When opened, it takes on the appearance of a compact tablet.
Prices start at £1,999 ($2,668), while the most expensive configurations cost up to £3,199 in the UK.
Apple has positioned the device as a premium alternative to existing foldable smartphones, with its design intended to combine the convenience of a phone with the larger display area of a tablet.
Complex Hinge Design Raises Durability Questions
Foldable smartphones rely on intricate hinges and flexible display components that must withstand repeated movement without damaging the screen.
The iPhone Duo’s reported problems echo challenges faced by other manufacturers. Samsung encountered a major setback in 2019 when reviewers reported broken screens on its first Galaxy Fold devices, forcing the company to address durability concerns.
Apple spent years developing its foldable smartphone before launching the Duo. The latest reports highlight the engineering challenges involved in bringing a new category of device to market.
However, the available information does not establish whether the reported faults stem from a common manufacturing defect, individual damaged units or another underlying cause.
New Apple CEO John Ternus Faces an Early Test
The iPhone Duo was unveiled by Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook in September 2026.
Ternus presented the device as a major step forward in foldable smartphone design, arguing that competing products could feel like two phones awkwardly joined together.
The Duo is intended to offer a more integrated experience, switching between a conventional smartphone format and a larger tablet-like screen.
The launch is an important moment for Apple as it attempts to revitalise its hardware portfolio and compete with Android manufacturers that have already established themselves in the foldable phone market.
Can Apple Restore Confidence in the iPhone Duo?
Apple’s decision to replace affected handsets provides an immediate remedy for customers experiencing display problems. Nevertheless, the long-term impact will depend on how widespread the faults prove to be and whether replacement devices experience similar issues.
For prospective buyers, durability and reliability will be important considerations given the device’s premium pricing.
