Apple Acknowledges Cracked Inner-Screen Issue Affecting Some iPhone Duo Units

For some owners, the wait was over almost before it began. Days — sometimes hours — after unboxing Apple’s first foldable iPhone, a crack had already appeared across the inner display. A bright line running from the centre towards the right side of the screen. A device that cost the best part of a thousand pounds, visibly broken before it had barely left the house.

Apple has now confirmed it is aware of the problem. In a statement reported by The Verge, Bloomberg and 9to5Mac, the company said it is aware of an issue affecting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units, and that owners experiencing problems should contact AppleCare for a replacement. What Apple has not said is how many devices are involved, what is causing the damage, or whether any specific production batch is at fault.

What Owners Are Seeing

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s debut foldable handset. Like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and similar devices, it features an inner screen that bends around a central hinge — the kind of display that folds in half when you close the phone and opens flat when you use it. That hinge is precisely where the trouble appears to be occurring.

Reports gathered by The Verge describe cracks developing along or near the hinge line, sometimes visible as a distinct bright streak across the inner panel. Some owners say the fault appeared within hours of first use. Others noticed it within days. The timing, the frequency, and the underlying cause remain unconfirmed by Apple.

That last point matters. Apple’s statement acknowledges a display issue but does not describe a formal recall, announce a broader repair programme, or explain why the inner screen is cracking. The company has simply said: if your screen is affected, get in touch.

The Replacement Process

So what should affected owners actually do?

According to reporting by 9to5Mac, AppleCare+ cover does not appear to be required for a replacement in cases where the device is affected by this issue — though individual eligibility will depend on Apple’s assessment, and regional terms may vary. Owners should confirm their own situation directly with Apple rather than assuming they qualify.

There’s a wrinkle for customers who bought the iPhone Duo through a mobile network provider. Reports from 9to5Mac suggest Apple is directing those customers to contact AppleCare directly, rather than going back to their network. That’s worth knowing before you spend time on the phone to your carrier.

The out-of-warranty repair cost for the inner screen is listed at US$999 on Apple’s website — that’s around £790 at current rates — though a verified UK price has not been confirmed from available sources. For anyone whose device does not qualify for a free replacement, that figure puts the stakes into sharp relief.

A Delicate Problem for a Delicate Device

Foldable phones have always carried a question mark over long-term durability. The inner displays on these devices use a flexible plastic layer rather than traditional glass, which makes them bendable but also more vulnerable to pressure, debris, and stress at the fold. Samsung has faced similar scrutiny with its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip lines over the years, and early adopters of foldable technology have historically accepted a degree of risk in exchange for being first.

But cracking within hours of first use is a different category of problem. That’s not wear and tear — that’s a device failing before it’s had a chance to prove itself.

Apple has not said what its investigation has found.

The company’s public response stops well short of the language you’d expect around a formal recall. It’s an acknowledgement, a support route, and not much more. Whether that changes as more reports surface is unclear.

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent residents who own an iPhone Duo and have noticed any cracking or bright lines on the inner display should contact AppleCare directly to request an assessment and replacement — and it’s worth keeping proof of purchase to hand and photographing any visible fault before you call. Customers who bought the device through a network provider such as EE, Vodafone or O2 are reportedly being directed to AppleCare rather than their network, so going straight to Apple is likely to be the faster route. UK consumer rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 may also offer a separate avenue if Apple’s own process proves difficult, and it’s worth being aware of that option before accepting any outcome you’re not satisfied with.