By Osmond Chia and Liv McMahon, BBC reporters
Apple has confirmed that a small number of its new foldable iPhone Duo devices have developed screen problems, just days after the highly anticipated smartphone went on sale.
The company said it was aware of an issue affecting the inner display on some handsets and advised customers experiencing the fault to contact Apple for a replacement. The device starts at £1,999 ($2,668) in the UK.
Images shared on social media appear to show lines running across the folding screen, while other owners have reported cracks developing along the central crease. Some users have also described hearing a crunching sound when opening the phone.
One owner, Justin Lokos, posted a photograph of his faulty handset showing lines across the right side of the display. He later shared an image of a replacement phone beside the damaged one, thanking an Apple store in New York for its assistance.
It remains unclear how widespread the problem is. Apple has not disclosed the number of affected devices, and some images circulating online may have been generated using artificial intelligence.
Francisco Jeronimo, a technology analyst at market research firm IDC, said the possibility of AI-generated images meant reports should be treated cautiously before conclusions were drawn about the wider production run.
However, he said the early complaints highlighted the challenges Apple faces as it enters the foldable-phone market, noting that even a company with extensive engineering expertise and a carefully managed supply chain must overcome a learning curve when developing this type of device.
The Duo features a 7.6-inch (19.3cm) internal display connected by a central hinge. This mechanism is a complex part of the design and has been a source of problems for some competing foldable phones.
Samsung experienced a similar setback in 2019 when its first Galaxy Fold devices developed screen faults reported by reviewers.
Although Android manufacturers already offer a range of foldable smartphones, Apple spent years developing its own device before unveiling the Duo. It is the company’s most expensive iPhone to date, with prices reaching £3,199 for the highest-specification models.
Jeronimo said Apple’s decision to position the Duo as a premium competitor to established foldable phones meant its response to the initial problems could influence customer confidence in the wider category, not just sales of the new iPhone.
He added that Apple’s loyal customer base and extensive retail network could help it replace faulty devices quickly. However, with the phone scheduled to launch in another 28 markets on 30 October, he said the company needed to communicate its warranty arrangements clearly and promptly.
The Duo represents the biggest redesign of the iPhone in almost two decades. It was introduced by Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook in September.
When folded, the device resembles a wider version of a conventional iPhone. Opening it reveals a larger screen that makes it look more like a small tablet.
At the product unveiling at Apple’s California headquarters last month, Ternus argued that competing foldable phones could feel like two phones awkwardly joined together. He said Apple’s design was intended to redefine the foldable-phone experience.
The early reports of screen problems now present a challenge for the company as it seeks to establish its first foldable iPhone as a premium product.
