Multiple iPhone Duo buyers are reporting that the device's inner foldable screen cracks along the hinge's center line, leaving a horizontal band of white, glowing pixels. About ten similar cases have surfaced on Reddit since the device launched Friday, with some units failing during initial setup. Apple Store customers have generally received replacements, while some carrier buyers say they were denied help or blamed for the damage.
Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo is reaching customers, but many apps display with awkward unused space because they haven't been adapted to its unusual screen ratios, including a wide front display and a 4:3 inner screen. CNET reviewers note this mirrors what happened with Samsung's original Galaxy Fold in 2019, where app layouts took time to catch up to the new format.
Flipcorder is a new iOS app that mimics an old camcorder, saving all recorded footage to a single virtual tape capable of holding up to 30 minutes, captured in 20-second increments. It supports VHS and MiniDV-style filters as well as high-quality video, and is optimized for the iPhone Duo's dual displays. The app costs a one-time $4.99 on the App Store and requires iOS 26 or later.
Tech reviewer Zach Nelson subjected Apple's $2,000 foldable iPhone Duo to scratch tests, dirt, chainmail and bending in a durability video posted to his JerryRigEverything channel. The cover screen's Ceramic Shield 2 glass held up well, but the inner screen scratched easily and cracked when the device was bent backward with its main screen open.
A writer who picked up Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo at the Fifth Avenue store describes using it for a day, noting trade-offs like Touch ID instead of Face ID, an under-display FaceTime camera, and limited app optimization. They argue these shortcomings are less disruptive than expected, and say app support has already improved since launch as developers update their software for consumers rather than early reviewers.
Apple's new foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, starts at $2,000 and lets users fold the device into a tent-like stand. A columnist reports that while many mainstream iOS apps still render poorly on the Duo's unfolding screen, some developers have begun building apps specifically optimized for its foldable design.
Engadget published its review of Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, alongside other product reviews including the Rivian R2. The review found the device heavy, expensive, and lacking full app optimization for its interior screen, but praised it as a polished first attempt overall.
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 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.
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