Buyers describe cracks and lines along the inner display’s central fold. Apple directs affected owners to AppleCare for a replacement, but limited stock has left some waiting.
Apple has offered replacements after multiple iPhone Duo buyers described cracks and lines along the inner display’s central fold, Reuters said. The complaints follow the launch of Apple’s first foldable phone on 23 October 2026.
In a statement published by MacRumors on 26 October, Apple acknowledged an inner-display issue affecting what it called a small number of units. Apple instructed owners with display problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement. The company did not give an affected-unit count or failure rate.
Some affected owners had obtained in-store replacements, while limited stock left others waiting. Apple’s October 26 statement did not specify replacement waiting times, eligibility rules, costs or deadlines.
Apple did not identify the cause of the cracking or say whether a fix was planned in its October 26 response. Users described a stuck feeling and sometimes a popping noise immediately before damage appeared along the hinge.
The same account described possible explanations from the website iFixit’s teardown, including a central hinge support bar that might fail to retract and damage the display. That was a proposed mechanism, not an established cause.
IDC analyst Nabila Popal said she expects demand for the Duo to continue exceeding supply despite the screen problems. She identified Apple’s immediate test as how quickly it can replace affected devices while supplies remain tight.
Apple says a small number of phones have an inner-display issue and tells owners with display problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement.
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Apple’s $1,999 foldable was released on 23 October with limited availability and apps adapted to its folding screen.
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Apple’s first foldable iPhone opened for pre-orders on October 16. On October 16, 9to5Mac reported January 25, 2027 shipping estimates for every configuration, with the earliest orders scheduled to arrive on October 23.
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