Apple’s first foldable iPhone has run into early screen problems, with some owners reporting cracks and bright lines just days after launch. The company says affected devices can be replaced, but the cause remains unclear.

Apple has offered replacement handsets to customers whose new iPhone Duo develops inner-screen problems, after reports of cracked displays emerged less than a week after the foldable phone went on sale.

The company confirmed on Monday, 26 October, that a small number of devices had been affected. It advised customers experiencing display faults to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

“The response to iPhone Duo from early users has been incredibly positive,” Apple said in a statement. “We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units.”

The company did not explain what was causing the faults or disclose how many phones were affected. The reports have nevertheless put the durability of Apple’s first foldable iPhone under scrutiny at a crucial stage in its launch.

Owners report cracks and lines along the fold

Images shared online show cracks and bright lines appearing on the phone’s inner display, in some cases around the central crease where the screen folds.

Some owners have also described unusual resistance when opening their devices, followed by a popping or crunching sound. Others say the display developed visible damage shortly after they began using the phone.

One user, Justin Lokos, posted an image showing lines across the right side of his screen. He later shared a photograph of a replacement handset alongside the damaged device, thanking an Apple Store in New York for its assistance.

The reports have not established how common the problem is. Images circulating online also need to be treated cautiously, as some purported examples of faulty devices may be misleading or artificially generated.

Apple’s statement offers affected customers a route to a replacement, but it does not yet provide a technical explanation or indicate whether any design changes are planned.

What could be causing the damage?

The iPhone Duo has a 7.6-inch inner display supported by a complex hinge designed to let the device open and close like a small book.

Repair specialist iFixit examined the phone in a teardown published on 25 October. By studying the device’s internal components and modelling how its hinge moves, the team identified a possible area where pressure could build up beneath the display.

Its analysis suggested that a central support component might not move far enough out of the screen’s path as the phone folds. If that happens, the display could experience concentrated pressure around the area where some of the reported damage appears.

However, iFixit’s findings are a possible explanation, not proof of the cause. Apple has not confirmed that the hinge mechanism is responsible. <Cite refs={["turn335764search3","turn482261search6"]}/>

The issue is particularly sensitive for a foldable phone because its screen must bend repeatedly while remaining functional. The hinge and display have to work together under conditions that conventional, rigid smartphone screens do not face.

A costly launch under pressure

Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo in September as its first foldable iPhone, presenting it as a major change to the familiar smartphone design.

When closed, the device has a 5.4-inch outer display. Opened, it provides a larger screen intended to support activities such as watching videos, gaming and multitasking.

The phone went on sale on 23 October, with UK prices starting at £1,999 for the 256GB model and rising to £3,199 for the 2TB version. <Cite refs={["turn482261search2","turn335764search0"]}/>

That price makes reliability a significant part of the buying decision. Customers paying a premium for a new design will expect it to withstand ordinary use, although the current reports do not establish that the device has a widespread fault.

The timing also matters because Apple is entering a market where rivals have already spent years refining foldable designs.

Samsung encountered a similar challenge in 2019, when its original Galaxy Fold suffered screen problems during early reviews. The company delayed the device’s release while it addressed the reported weaknesses. The episode became an early reminder of the engineering difficulties involved in making a reliable folding phone.

The comparison does not prove that Apple’s device has the same underlying fault. It does show why the company’s handling of early complaints will matter beyond the individual customers seeking replacements.

What should affected owners do?

Apple has told customers who experience problems with the inner display to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Owners should document the fault and seek guidance directly from Apple rather than attempting to press, bend or repair a damaged screen themselves.

For now, there is no confirmed figure for the number of affected devices, no definitive public explanation of the failures and no announced wider recall.

Apple’s replacement offer is an immediate response to customers reporting problems. The longer-term test will be whether the company can establish the cause, prevent further failures and reassure buyers that its first foldable iPhone can deliver on its promise of a new form factor without compromising reliability.