Complaints Grow Over Screen Cracks on Apple’s Foldable iPhone Duo

Complaints about the display of Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the “iPhone Duo,” are growing. According to some users, the hinge starts making a crackling sound after just a few hours, after which the inner display cracks. The cracks generally appear in the same spot. 2 separate teardowns of the phone have indicated that the problem may stem from weak components in the hinge.

A YouTube blogger named “CuriousHagi” encountered the same problem during a durability test and later took the phone apart. In the center of the hinge, there is a gear-like component and 2 types of connecting arms. During the examination, a thin metal connector broke at a small recess. Signs of friction against the support plate were also found in the same area. This suggests that the mechanism may catch when the phone is opened and closed.

iFixit also took the phone apart and gave the “iPhone Duo” a repairability score of 5 out of 10. This is the highest score the organization has ever given a foldable smartphone. However, the result may change after spare parts go on sale. After the dust test, a crunching sound came from the hinge, but less dust entered the mechanism than in competing models. Based on its IP68 protection rating, the phone should be dust-resistant and withstand water at a depth of 6 meters for 30 minutes.

Inside the hinge are gears, springs, and metal joints. A waterdrop-shaped mechanism has also been included to prevent the display from folding too sharply. Based on CT images showing the inside of the device, patents, and a teardown video, iFixit created a 3D model of the hinge. According to one theory, the support strip in the center does not retract when the phone is closed and puts pressure on the display. The curved rails that guide the movement and the rigid edges that meet at the same point may also place stress on the display’s thin layers. However, the exact cause of the failure has not yet been confirmed.

The teardown also revealed that the inner display has a matte, nano-textured surface to conceal the crease. Tiny circular protrusions that are visible only under a microscope scatter light and make the crease less noticeable. Oval subpixels arranged in different directions—the tiny colored dots that create the image—may also reduce imperfections caused by light scattering. Large gaps have been left between the pixels so that more light can reach the selfie camera beneath the display.

During repairs, the inner display’s frame can be removed without breaking it because it is secured with clips rather than adhesive. The outer display is also relatively easy to remove, providing access to several of the phone’s internal components. The battery consists of 2 parts. The first part has a capacity of 11.567 Wh, while the other has a capacity of 7.506 Wh. Together, they store 19.073 Wh of energy. Thanks to a special electrically debonding adhesive, the batteries can be removed without applying force.