Apple has acknowledged a display issue affecting a small number of its newly launched iPhone Duo handsets and advised affected customers to contact the company for replacements, according to a BBC report published on Tuesday.
The development comes just days after the highly anticipated foldable smartphone went on sale, raising early concerns about the durability of Apple’s first foldable device.
Photographs circulating online appear to show lines across the inner displays of some handsets, while several users have reported cracks developing along the screen’s central crease after a short period of use.
Apple Responds to Screen Complaints
Apple said it was aware of an issue affecting the inner displays of a small number of iPhone Duo devices. The company advised customers experiencing the problem to contact Apple for assistance and replacement arrangements.
The company has not disclosed the total number of affected handsets or provided a detailed explanation of what is causing the reported display failures.
Some users have also reported hearing a crunching noise when opening their devices, adding to concerns about the durability of the foldable phone’s screen and hinge mechanism.
However, the extent of the problem remains unclear, and the reports do not establish whether the issue affects a significant proportion of devices.
Apple customers have reported cracks appearing on the screens of its new £2,000 foldable iPhone Duo, just weeks after the smartphone went on sale.
The US tech giant has acknowledged an issue affecting the inner display on a small number of devices, following dozens of customer complaints ⬇️
https://t.co/V2HZ63ExUS— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 27, 2026
Users Share Images of Damaged Displays
Social media posts have drawn attention to apparent screen damage on the newly released smartphone.
One user, Justin Lokos, shared an image showing lines across the right side of his display. He later posted a photograph of a replacement handset alongside the damaged device and thanked an Apple store in New York for its assistance, the BBC reported.
At the same time, questions have emerged about the reliability of some images circulating online. Apple has not confirmed the authenticity of every image, and some social media content may have been generated or altered using artificial intelligence.
As a result, the available reports do not provide a complete picture of the problem or establish how frequently the damage is occurring.
Apple Warns of Limited iPhone Duo Stock as Store Launch Nears
Foldable Screen Technology Faces Durability Challenges
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display connected by a central hinge, a key component in foldable smartphone design.
Unlike conventional smartphones, foldable devices must accommodate repeated bending while maintaining display performance and structural integrity. The hinge and the area around the screen’s fold can therefore present particular engineering challenges.
Apple’s reported display issue also recalls problems experienced by Samsung in 2019, when reviewers reported screen failures in the company’s first Galaxy Fold shortly before its planned launch.
Samsung subsequently faced scrutiny over the durability of its early foldable design, highlighting the technical difficulties manufacturers can encounter when introducing new display technologies.
Questions Remain Over the Scale of the Problem
The iPhone Duo’s launch attracted crowds to Apple stores worldwide as the company sought to expand its product lineup and compete in the foldable smartphone market.
The latest reports could put additional pressure on Apple to demonstrate that its foldable device can withstand everyday use.
For now, the company has acknowledged problems affecting a small number of units and offered replacements to affected customers. Further details about the cause of the damage, the number of devices involved and any broader response from Apple remain unclear.
