Apple Says Some iPhone Duo Screens Are Cracking, But How Many?

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, has had a rough start. The smartphone has been drawing attention for more than just its foldable design. Several users across the world reported cracks appearing on the inner display, just hours after owning the device.

Now given the price of the device, the reports are quite a concern. The iPhone Duo starts at Rs 2,99,900 in India, and its limited availability has reportedly pushed some grey-market sellers to demand as much as Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh over the official price. Yet, even those willing to pay a premium are now dealing with concerns about the phone’s durability.

Apple has acknowledged the problem, but its description of the affected devices as a “small number” has left an important question unanswered: just how small is that number? Read on.

Apple Says A 'Small Number’ Of iPhone Duo Units Are Affected

Apple has acknowledged reports of cracks appearing on the iPhone Duo’s inner display. The company said it was aware of an issue affecting a “small number” of units and advised customers experiencing display problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

However, Apple has not shared an exact figure or explained what is causing the damage. The company has also said that the issue appears relatively quickly on affected devices, rather than developing gradually over a long period of use.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman said he had independently verified reports of cracked iPhone Duo displays and that the damage was appearing on devices used normally by customers. He also said that the number of affected units could be in the thousands. Which isn't really as 'small' as Apple is calling it to be. But again, these are just reported numbers and we don't yet know exactly how many devices have been affected.

Influencers Defending The iPhone Duo Face Backlash

The screen-cracking reports have also sparked a debate among Apple fans and tech influencers. While some creators have questioned the claims, others have pushed back against the idea that customers are deliberately damaging their expensive devices.

One incident involved Apple-focused YouTuber iJustine, who posted on X that her iPhone Duo had been working well because she had “not actively tried to break it”.

The comment drew criticism because it appeared to suggest that users reporting cracked screens might have caused the damage themselves. While iJustine did not explicitly accuse any particular customer of faking the issue, the remark was seen by some as dismissive of the reports.

Gurman responded to her post by defending the affected customers. He questioned whether the post was intended as a joke or engagement bait, pointing out that several people had spent more than $2,000 on the phone, used it normally, and still ended up with cracked displays.

He also highlighted the frustration faced by customers who visited Apple Stores seeking replacements, only to find that the stores did not have suitable devices available.

iPhone Duo Owners Are Also Facing Replacement Delays

Apple has advised customers experiencing inner-display problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement. However, getting a replacement device may not be as easy as the company’s statement suggests.

The iPhone Duo has been facing supply constraints since its launch. Strong demand and limited inventory have pushed delivery estimates further out, while some customers have struggled to find the phone in stores.

Some Apple Stores reportedly do not have enough stock to provide an immediate swap, leaving affected users waiting for another unit to become available.

Apple has also reportedly issued guidance to its stores and authorised service providers on how to identify and handle affected devices. Technicians have been instructed to inspect the phone and follow standard repair or replacement procedures. However, the company has not announced a public recall or confirmed the underlying cause of the screen failures.