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Apple's iPhone Duo Facing Early Scrutiny Over Cracking Screens
Confirmed
In Short: Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo, launched on October 23, is already facing early scrutiny due to reports of cracked screens within days of purchase.
Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo, launched on October 23, is already facing early scrutiny due to reports of cracked screens within days of purchase. The issue has raised concerns among potential buyers and investors, with some customers reporting cracks within hours of unboxing their devices.
According to reports from various tech news outlets, the iPhone Duo's inner screens are cracking along the hinge, a problem that could be linked to a defective hinge component. The timing of this issue is particularly problematic for Apple, which is balancing a $5 trillion valuation on a razor-thin cushion.
The iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999, started shipping last Friday and quickly sold out, with preorders opening on October 28, the same day as Apple’s 'Pro and tell' event in Los Angeles. The device's price has increased from $599 to $699, according to 24/7 Wall St.
Kyle Wiens, who wrote the teardown of the iPhone Duo, noted that 'a manufacturing variance or grain of sand can kill the fragile display panel' the hinge protects. This fragility has led to a small number of iPhone Duo units experiencing issues with their inner display, prompting Apple to issue a statement acknowledging the problem.
Apple has stated that it is aware of the issue, which affects a 'small number' of phones, and that it will replace the devices under its AppleCare warranty. However, the company has not provided a specific number of affected units, leaving the extent of the problem unclear.
Reports of cracked screens have emerged from various online forums and social media platforms, with users sharing their experiences on the iPhone Duo subreddit and other tech communities. Some owners have been able to return their devices to the Apple Store for replacements, but the process has been lengthy for some, with some customers facing wait times until January 2027.
The amount of time it takes for the cracking to occur varies, but it is clear that the issue arises relatively quickly, as customers have only been able to start unboxing the device since Friday morning. This rapid onset of the problem has raised questions about the durability and quality control of the iPhone Duo.
While the reports are concerning, it is worth noting that Apple has shipped hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of units, and only a small percentage of users have experienced the issue. However, the potential impact on consumer confidence and sales remains a significant concern for the company.
No journal article matching this report (iPhone Duo’s cracking screens are already scaring off would-be buyers, survey finds) was found in the research index, and no page published by the researchers turned up in the search.
What this adds
The news adds to the growing concerns about the durability and quality of the iPhone Duo, with some users reporting issues within hours of purchase. The extent of the problem and its impact on consumer confidence remain unclear.
What's confirmed
- Kyle Wiens, who wrote the teardown, said that “a manufacturing variance or grain of sand can kill the fragile display panel” the hinge protects.
What's still developing
- A news rewrite is not the researchers' measurement.
- Apple's first foldable iPhone sold out in minutes and sent investors scrambling to find the supplier that could pull off what one obscure chipmaker did after the original iPhone launched in 2007.
- A Taiwan-based technology news site reports that Apple is talking with LG Electronics about making an iPhone with a foldable screen.
- Part of that decline came from a bearish Jefferies note ahead of earnings and from a reaction to a pricier iPad mini, so the cracks add a new drag on pressure that was already there.
- We’ve seen about ten unique instances so far, with many posting their (similar) experiences on the iPhone Duo subreddit.
- In terms of why this is happening, there is a working theory that a batch of iPhone Duos have a defective hinge component.
- Apple's long-awaited iPhone Duo is here, and while a folding phone is nothing new, it's the company's first, and it has a waitlist a mile long.
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- Apple’s acknowledgment and replacement offer are welcome, but determining why these screens are cracking remains the bigger question.
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