Apple’s first foldable iPhone is facing early durability concerns after reports of cracks and display failures on its inner screen appeared on Reddit within hours of the October 23 release. While early device failures can happen with major product launches, the consistency in how the inner display is cracking has raised concerns about a possible underlying issue.
Teardowns by repair specialists at iFixit and some YouTubers have identified potential problems with the hinge mechanism that could put excessive pressure on the delicate folding display. However, the exact cause remains unconfirmed, and the extent of the problem is still unclear.
Is the iPhone Duo hinge causing the screen cracks?
Videos, including testing by JerryRigEverything, and user reports show a recurring pattern: cracks often begin along the display’s crease and spread horizontally toward the edge. While this initially suggests that the screen itself is failing under bending stress, a separate investigation by YouTuber CuriousHagi points to a possible hinge defect.
During testing involving dirt and stress on the folding mechanism, CuriousHagi found that the iPhone Duo would not close properly. When he tried opening it again, a loud snap occurred, followed by a large white display defect extending from the crease toward the side.
After dismantling the damaged device, he discovered a sheared hinge component near an upper support plate. It looked thinner than other hinge components, which might make it more prone to breakage.
These observations suggest that a hinge component may have broken, struck the screen, and caused the crack. However, this remains a theory based on an individual teardown, not a confirmed explanation for every reported failure.
iFixit teardown shows a similar hinge problem
According to iFixit, some reported display failures appear near the hinge, close to the opening through which a flex cable connects the phone’s two halves. Using teardown footage, Apple patents, and CT scans, the team created a 3D model of the hinge and identified two possible problems.
First, a central support bar might not retract far enough when the phone folds shut, potentially pressing against the inner display. Second, the curved rails guiding the hinge’s movement could rise above surrounding components during folding, creating pressure points that may damage the screen.
These are possible causes of “Crackgate,” but none has been proven. Repeated bending, dust particles, manufacturing defects, or broken electrical connections could also cause screen failure.
iFixit also gave the iPhone Duo a provisional 5/10 repairability score, but flagged the inner display and hinge as the hardest parts to fix. Apple charges $999 to replace the inner screen out of warranty.
Dust exposure raises additional concerns
The iPhone Duo has also struggled in durability testing. In JerryRigEverything’s test, dust reportedly entered the hinge through several openings and overwhelmed the magnets designed to hold the phone shut. During the subsequent bend test, a permanent green line appeared across the inner display before the screen became unresponsive.
Interestingly, iFixit’s separate fluorescent dust test also found particles entering the hinge and producing a crunching sound during operation. However, the iPhone Duo showed less visible dust around its hinge than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Pixel 11 Pro Fold in comparable tests.
The iPhone Duo carries an IP68 rating, which indicates protection against dust and water under specified test conditions. However, this does not guarantee that its moving components are immune to particles or mechanical wear.
Should owners be worried?
The reports do not establish that the iPhone Duo has a widespread design flaw. AppleInsider’s initial checks at seven Apple Store locations found no broken-screen cases, though a later check found one instance. These limited observations cannot determine the device’s overall failure rate.
For now, owners should keep debris away from the hinge and contact Apple if they hear odd noises or see cracks or any other signs of damage on their screens.
Ultimately, the teardown findings raise legitimate questions about the iPhone Duo’s long-term durability, but further investigations are needed to determine whether these incidents are isolated or indicate a broader problem.
