US — The Verge

Here’s why the iPhone Duo’s hinge could be cracking the screen

DevicesOctober 28, 20261 min read

Some brand-new iPhone Duo foldable phones have shown cracks or broken inner screens soon after launch. Apple says it is replacing damaged units, and an expert thinks the hinge may be the cause.

What happened

Right after the iPhone Duo went on sale, people online shared photos of broken inner screens. The damage shows up in the middle of the screen, above the hinge (the part that lets the phone fold). On Monday, Apple said it knows about an "issue" and is replacing damaged phones. Apple did not say how many phones are broken.

How the hinge works

The hinge is a set of small gears, springs, and joints. It lets the phone fold flat. It also gives the inside screen room to bend gently so it does not make a deep crease. Shahram Mokhtari, a repair expert at iFixit, took the Duo apart. He thinks the flexible inner screen presses against a metal part of the hinge at one spot. That spot may act like a weak point.

Key facts

Apple says the issue affects a "small number" of Duo units.
Apple has not said how many phones are broken.
One user said they heard an "audible crack" while opening the phone and the screen then broke.
A YouTuber's teardown video showed a part of the hinge that connects to the central bar had snapped.
Mokhtari says if the same failure still shows up in three months, it could become a bigger problem and lead to a recall.

Why it matters

Foldable screens are new and delicate, and this is the first generation of the iPhone Duo. Buyers who paid for a new phone may find the screen breaks. The problem also shows how hard it is to build a folding phone that lasts. Mokhtari expects Apple to redesign this part for its next foldable phone.

What to watch

Whether the number of broken phones grows or stays small.
Whether Apple changes the hinge design or announces a recall.
Whether more people report damage after the first few months of use.

Glossary

iFixit: A company that takes electronics apart to show how they are built and how to repair them.
hinge: The joint that lets a phone fold and unfold, like the hinge on a door.
teardown: Taking a device apart piece by piece to see what is inside.
foldable: A phone with a screen that bends or folds so the device can close flat.
recall: When a company asks customers to return a product because it may be faulty.

Apple Unveils 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6, Boosting AI Performance, Starting at ¥339,800

Apple announced a 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with its new M6 chip, claiming up to 30% higher graphics performance and up to 25% higher AI processing performance than the M5 model. In Japan, prices start at ¥339,800, with preorders from October 29 and sales beginning November 6. The M6 model is the standard 14-inch version only; the M5 Pro and M5 Max and the 16-inch models continue to be sold alongside it.

DevicesArs TechnicaOct 27

Some iPhone Duo screens are already failing, Apple says only a "small number" are affected

Some early buyers of the $2,000 iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable phone, report that its internal OLED display is failing within hours or minutes of use, with bright lines and dead pixels appearing near the crease. Apple says only a "small number" of devices are affected, and the reported fix is replacing the screen, which reportedly costs half as much as the phone. iFixit has torn down a unit and is examining the hinge cable as a possible cause, but no official explanation has been given.

DevicesArs TechnicaOct 27

Apple iPhone Duo review: Two screens, two experiences, two thousand dollars

Ars Technica's review finds the $1,999-and-up iPhone Duo to be Apple's biggest iPhone change in years, with a crease that is nearly invisible when unfolded. The reviewer calls it surprisingly good as a small iPad but says they cannot think of a way they prefer it to a regular iPhone, citing a squat, cramped phone mode and a learning curve. Overall, they describe it as technically impressive but not always enjoyable to use.

Devicesheise onlineOct 28

iPhone Duo review: It works!

Apple's first foldable iPhone pairs a notably small outer display with a much larger inner screen, and the reviewer finds the hinge solid, with nothing rattling and no accidental opening. Pencil support works well but is more limited than on the iPad, and the folding construction is complex and makes repairs expensive. The review tests displays, multitasking, performance, cameras, battery life and accessories.