Developers have begun releasing apps designed around the iPhone Duo's folding hinge and dual screens, with Apple adding a 'Made for iPhone Duo' badge to highlight ones built for the larger display. Examples include Battlefleet Duo, a board-game-style naval battler that uses tabletop mode for local multiplayer, and Flipcorder, a retro camcorder app that turns opening the device into 'removing the lens cap.' A reviewer who has covered Android foldables for years says their inbox has seen an unusual surge of pitches from indie developers eager to showcase apps for Apple's first foldable phone.
Social media and forum posts from owners in the US, Australia and China show the $2,000 foldable iPhone Duo developing a distinctive L-shaped crack running along the fold and extending across the internal display. One Australian buyer said the screen cracked just six hours after purchase after fewer than 20 folds, with no visible external damage. Apple Stores have reportedly granted full replacements in some cases, though phone support offered a slower paid-hold process.
Apple is accepting new applications for its Security Research Device Program, which provides specially configured iPhones to security researchers. The program's current application window remains open until October 30, 2026.
Apple engineer Jen Simmons wrote on the WebKit blog that the company is looking at ways to let websites better use the iPhone Duo's outer display, which currently can't extend content behind Safari's right-aligned controls. The post, detailing changes in Safari 27.1 around how sites adapt to the device's screens and folding positions, follows reviews criticizing the cramped browsing experience on the 5.4-inch outer screen.
Apple has released detailed DIY repair manuals and safety guides for the newly launched iPhone Duo, covering component replacement procedures, battery and glass safety precautions, and internal diagrams. Genuine replacement parts for the device are not yet available through Apple's Self Service Repair Store, though the manuals are live now.
CNET purchased an iPhone Duo and placed it in its custom-built 'Fold-a-Phone' testing rig to measure how many open-close cycles the hinge and dual screens can withstand before failing. The same machine is already being used to test Samsung's Galaxy Fold 8, allowing direct durability comparisons between the two foldables. CNET plans to share live updates via a YouTube stream and ongoing testing results.
Early buyers of Apple's new iPhone Duo foldable are reporting cracked inner displays near the hinge crease shortly after purchase. One Reddit user said their screen cracked audibly after fewer than 20 folds within six hours of ownership, and Apple replaced the device on the spot at an Apple Store. Similar reports have surfaced from early markets including China and Australia.
9to5Mac released its October 23, 2026 daily podcast episode covering recent rumors about an upcoming MacBook Pro and discussion of apps for the rumored iPhone Duo device. The episode is distributed via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play and RSS feed, and is sponsored by Backblaze.
Apple launched its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, globally on Friday, with scalpers outside the Sanlitun flagship store in Beijing offering buyers roughly 3,000 yuan ($448) above retail price for their newly purchased units. One scalper, Alex Wang, said he expects to resell the devices at a markup for about two weeks due to limited supply. Customers, including one who arrived at 6 a.m. to join a line of about 100 people, said they were eager for Apple to finally enter the foldable category.
Reviewers of Apple's newly released iPhone Duo had complained that swiping from the top-right corner to open Control Center is awkward in left-handed use due to the device's wide, folding design. Developer Stephen Robles demonstrated on X that users can instead tap the Battery/Wi-Fi/Cellular icon to open Control Center, a shortcut that becomes even more reachable when a Live Activity is running and shifts the icon lower on screen.
CNET's Kerry Wan tested early apps built for Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo, highlighting Netflix and NYT Cooking as among the most polished so far. Apps optimized for the device's flexible screen will carry a 'Made for iPhone Duo' badge on the App Store, while a separate web tracker monitors which popular apps still lack support.
Apple has published a set of support documents to coincide with the iPhone Duo launch, addressing hinge troubleshooting, Touch ID, and case compatibility. One document lists fixes for hinge problems such as the device not closing fully, unusual noises, or a loose, bent, or broken hinge. Another explains a 'Shift Left Edge' display setting that adjusts the outer screen when a case partially covers it.
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