iPhone Duo screens reportedly crack within hours of use

The iPhone Duo's launch has been anything but smooth. Apple users around the world have been sharing images of newly purchased devices with cracks and damage along the center of their inner foldable displays.

The reports follow a chaotic preorder period, during which scalpers allegedly snapped up available inventory within seconds.

Together, these problems have made the iPhone Duo one of Apple's most troubled product launches in recent years.

The question now is how Apple will respond as more reports of damaged devices emerge.

The iPhone Duo went on sale in China first, meaning most of the initial reports of cracked displays came from that market.

However, as the device reached customers in Western Hemisphere markets on launch day, similar complaints began appearing there as well.

These developments have raised concerns that the iPhone Duo could have a serious weakness in its hinge design.

According to accounts circulating online, the apparent frequency of failures seems higher than that reported for some other book-style foldable smartphones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Xiaomi 18 Fold and Huawei Pura X Max.

Although no independent statistics have established the actual failure rate, multiple users reporting similar damage have intensified concerns about the device's durability.

When the first images of cracked iPhone Duo screens appeared online, some Apple fans jokingly encouraged others to cancel their orders so their own deliveries would arrive sooner.

But the situation has become more serious. Some customers have reportedly canceled their purchases, while others have publicly asked online communities whether they should abandon their plans to buy the device.

Initially, some users suggested that the damaged phones might have been mishandled. They argued that the devices could have been dropped or that their owners might have removed the protective nano-texture surface layer.

As more similar incidents were shared, however, these explanations faced increasing criticism.

Some users also challenged customers who continued to dismiss the possibility of a genuine product defect.

Notably, moderators of certain online forums have been accused of deleting posts and comments about the failures, fueling further controversy over transparency in discussions of the issue.

Meanwhile, other users have begun mocking the apparent unpredictability of the cracks, suggesting that an iPhone Duo could break at almost any moment.

One widely circulated case involved a damaged iPhone Duo that was replaced with the only identical model still available at an Apple Store.

If the number of affected devices continues to rise while supplies remain limited, customers seeking replacements could face waits of several months.

Suspected hinge weakness: Durability test raises further questions

Another detail attracting attention comes from a durability test conducted by Zack Nelson, the creator of the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel, known for testing the structural strength of consumer electronics.

During the test, the iPhone Duo sustained serious damage near the same area where users have frequently reported cracks.

The result has led some observers to suspect a significant structural weakness in the device's hinge mechanism.

However, a destructive durability test cannot independently establish the real-world failure rate or prove the cause of every reported incident.

A definitive conclusion would require independent technical assessments and an official response from Apple.

Before the iPhone Duo launched, some reports suggested that Apple had rejected approximately 40% of assembled units because of manufacturing defects.

This was considered one possible explanation for the device's limited initial availability.

When the first cracked-screen images emerged, some observers speculated that the affected units might have barely passed quality control but were unable to withstand normal everyday use.

Subsequent reports, however, have made that explanation appear less convincing.

Some unverified accounts have also claimed that affected iPhone Duo devices produced unusual sounds shortly before their screens cracked.

If confirmed, such sounds could provide an important clue to the underlying failure mechanism. At present, there is insufficient independent evidence to establish whether the phenomenon is widespread.

A disappointing launch after years of anticipation

Apple has already faced criticism over how it handled iPhone Duo preorders. However, the reported durability problems represent a potentially more serious concern.

The company spent years developing its first foldable iPhone, making the current controversy particularly unwelcome for a product expected to open a new chapter in the iPhone's history.

Beyond the cracked-screen reports, users have also complained that the crease running down the middle of the foldable display remains relatively noticeable.

According to some assessments, the crease may become more pronounced after the phone has been folded several times.

For an expensive premium device, durability is especially important.

Customers expect more than an innovative design or the convenience of a larger display. They also want confidence that their phones can withstand everyday use.

If devices repeatedly fail after only a few hours, their design innovations and technological advantages risk being overshadowed.

As a result, the excitement surrounding the iPhone Duo's release is increasingly giving way to skepticism.

Rather than focusing solely on new features, potential buyers are now questioning whether the device is worth purchasing at all.

Customers who still intend to buy the iPhone Duo may want to consider AppleCare+ extended coverage as an additional safeguard against unexpected damage.

However, they should carefully review the eligibility requirements, coverage terms and applicable fees in their respective markets.

For Apple, continued uncertainty over a possible hinge defect, without a satisfactory explanation, could turn the iPhone Duo into a major test of the company's ambitions in the foldable smartphone market.

Hai Phong