Overview
- The iPhone Duo launched to strong demand and rapid sellouts on October 23, and within hours or days multiple early buyers posted photos showing cracks and bright pixel lines on the internal screen near the hinge.
- Apple confirmed on October 26 that the problem affects a small number of units and has advised affected customers to contact AppleCare to request a replacement.
- Independent teardown firm iFixit identified hinge-area components that could concentrate pressure on the flexible display and proposed that a support bar or sliding rails might press on the panel, but it did not establish a definitive cause.
- Some customers have received replacements at Apple Stores while others face delays because inventory is tight, and Apple engineering teams are collecting failed units for further analysis.
- Assessment of how widespread the fault is remains uncertain because some viral images were later flagged as AI-manipulated and because out-of-warranty internal screen replacement costs $999, raising stakes for owners who lack AppleCare.