Early iPhone Duo Buyers Report Damage Along Screen Hinge
Some early iPhone Duo buyers say their foldable phones developed permanent lines on the inner display after the hinge felt stiff and made a popping or cracking sound. Apple has offered replacements, but GSMArena reports that limited stock has left many owners waiting, especially for higher-capacity models. The cause remains unconfirmed, and reports may involve only a select batch of devices.
Early iPhone Duo buyers say their phones developed permanent lines on the inner screen after the hinge became difficult to open, according to reports reviewed. The complaints describe a popping or cracking sound followed by damage to the foldable display.
The issue can appear quickly. Some owners said it happened within hours of using the phone; others reported it after a few days. Apple has offered replacements, but limited availability has made it difficult for many to secure one, particularly for the 1TB and 2TB variants.
That leaves affected owners facing a damaged screen while the cause remains uncertain. GSMArena said the reports share a similar pattern, but it is not clear how many devices are involved.
Reports point to resistance at the hinge
Owners described a hinge that felt unusually stiff. Opening the phone required extra effort, and after they pushed past the resistance, they heard a popping or cracking sound. A vertical line then appeared down the middle of the inner display, with a horizontal line extending from it across the right half.
The complaints appear in online posts, many of them on a dedicated iPhone Duo subreddit. Users said they had not tampered with their phones or used them in an unusual way. Some also said they had experience with foldable devices.
The pattern raises concern because the hinge resistance reportedly comes before the display damage. Still, the available reports do not establish a confirmed defect or show how widespread the problem is. GSMArena said the root cause is difficult to identify with certainty, although the hinge is a possible source given the sequence described by owners.
There are also reports that do not describe the same failure. GSMArena said most users, as well as reviewers who had used the device for longer, had not reported the issue. It assessed the problem as likely limited to a select batch, rather than evidence that every iPhone Duo is affected.
Replacement offers, but limited stock
Owners have contacted Apple directly or approached their carriers to seek a remedy. Apple has offered to replace affected devices. However, reported shortages have prevented many users from obtaining a replacement at the time of the report, with the 1TB and 2TB versions especially difficult to find.
For buyers, the practical consequence is a repair or replacement process that may not be immediate. The report does not specify how long owners will wait, or whether Apple has identified a common fault. Anyone whose phone shows the described damage can contact Apple support, GSMArena advised.
The reports are based on owner accounts rather than a confirmed technical finding. GSMArena’s account does not establish the number of affected phones, and the company has not been quoted confirming a hinge defect.
Apple has offered replacements, but GSMArena says availability remains limited for the 1TB and 2TB variants.
