Apple to replace iPhone Duo devices over reported screen problems

Photos circulating on social media show cracks appearing along foldable phone’s central crease after short-term use

Apple said it would replace iPhone Duo handsets affected by screen problems, just days after the highly anticipated foldable smartphone went on sale, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

Photos circulating on social media show lines appearing on the screens of the technology giant’s first foldable smartphone, which costs thousands of US dollars.

Apple said it is aware of “an issue impacting the inner display on a small number” of devices and urged affected customers to contact the company for a replacement.

The Duo’s launch drew crowds to Apple stores worldwide last week as the company seeks to revitalise its device lineup and compete with foldable smartphones from rivals.

Read: Apple's iPhone Duo faces early durability concerns as users report cracked screens

Some owners also shared photos showing cracks along the screen’s central crease, while others reported hearing a crunching noise when opening the device.

Apple customers have reported cracks appearing on the screens of its new £2,000 foldable iPhone Duo, just weeks after the smartphone went on sale.

The US tech giant has acknowledged an issue affecting the inner display on a small number of devices, following dozens of customer… pic.twitter.com/QN1SVgPpE8

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 27, 2026

One user, Justin Lokos, posted an image showing lines across the right side of his display. He later shared a photo of a replacement handset alongside the damaged device and thanked an Apple store in New York for its assistance, according to the BBC.

The extent of the problem remains unclear. Apple has not disclosed how many devices have been affected, and some images circulating online may have been generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence.

The Duo features a 7.6-inch (19.3-centimetre) inner display connected by a central hinge, a complex component that has also posed challenges for other foldable smartphone manufacturers.

Samsung faced a similar setback in 2019 when reviewers reported screen failures in its first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, shortly before its planned launch.