Apple iPhone Duo Crackgate: Screen Cracks Near Hinge Within Days of Launch; Apple To Offer Replacements

Imagine spending nearly Rs. 2 lakh on a smartphone, only to find its display cracked within days of purchase. This is the problem some buyers of Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, are reportedly facing.

The complaints started surfacing on Reddit, X and MacRumors forums over the first weekend of sales, and have raised a lot of questions about the durability of the company's new foldable design.

The iPhone Duo went on sale in major markets, including South Korea, on October 23, with a starting price of $1,999. Within days, some owners began sharing images of damaged inner screens, mostly around the hinge area.

As per the complaints, bright lines or bands of stuck pixels appeared across part of the display, while the outer screen reportedly functioning normally.

Apple Acknowledges Inner-Display Issue

Apple acknowledged reports of inner-display problems on Monday, October 26, telling that the issue affected a "small number" of iPhone Duo units.

The official statement read: "The response to iPhone Duo from early users has been incredibly positive, and we are seeing exciting things from developers who are rapidly updating their apps to take advantage of its unique form factor. We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement."

iPhone Duo Screen Repair Could Cost $999

The iPhone Duo screen issue fixing will be expensive for owners whose devices fall outside Apple's applicable warranty coverage.

According to Apple's website, the out-of-warranty repair cost for the iPhone Duo's inner screen is $999 or around Rs.95000. That is a big expense for a smartphone that starts at $1,999 or Rs. 1,90,165.

For buyers who are facing this issue, getting a replacement under warranty will save them a lot of money. Apple has advised users with damaged screens to contact AppleCare to check whether they are eligible for a free replacement.