Apple to replace iPhone Duos affected by screen problem

A user named Justin Lokos shared an image online showing lines across the right side of his device's display, later posting a picture of a replacement handset alongside the damaged one after receiving assistance from a New York Apple store.

Apple has acknowledged that some of its iPhone Duo models are experiencing screen problems, emerging just days after the highly anticipated smartphone hit the market. Photos circulated on social media displaying lines across the screens of the technology giant's inaugural foldable device, which starts at £1,999 ($2,668) in the UK.

The company stated it is aware of "an issue impacting the inner display on a small number" of these phones and has instructed affected owners to contact the corporation for a replacement.

Beyond the display faults, other Duo owners posted pictures showing cracks along the screen's central crease, while some also reported a crunching sound upon opening the gadget.

Technology analyst Francisco Jeronimo of IDC noted that caution is necessary before drawing broad conclusions regarding the entire production run, given that some images of faulty units might have been AI-generated. However, he observed that these initial reports also demonstrated "that even a company with Apple's engineering resources and supply chain discipline faces a steep learning curve in foldables."

The Duo features a 7.6-inch (19.3cm) inner display, supported by a complex central hinge—a mechanism that has led to similar defects in folding devices from some of Apple's competitors.

Jeronimo further commented that because Apple positioned the Duo as a "premium alternative" to existing foldable options, "how it handles this first-generation issue will shape buyer confidence in the category well beyond its own sales." He added that while Apple possesses a loyal customer base and immediate swap capabilities through its retail network, the company must swiftly clarify its warranty stance as 28 additional markets launch on October 30.

This device represents Apple's most expensive iPhone to date, reaching up to £3,199 for the top-tier configurations. It also marks Apple's first major iPhone redesign in nearly two decades, introduced by new CEO John Ternus, who assumed leadership from Tim Cook in September.