IT · 2026-10-29
Apple Acknowledges Display Damage in iPhone Duo, but Questions Remain Despite Free Replacements
As reports of screen damage continued to surface on Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the company acknowledged problems in some units and said replacements would be available. But with no explanation of the exact cause or whether a recall is planned, attention is now turning to the possibility of a structural issue around the hinge and the burden of repairs or exchanges.
With foldable phones, screen durability is directly tied to consumer confidence because the display is repeatedly folded and unfolded. As reports of screen damage began appearing soon after the launch of Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, Apple acknowledged problems in some units and directed customers to seek replacements. However, the company has not disclosed the cause of the issue, its scope, or any recall plan, so the controversy does not appear to have fully subsided.
On the 26th local time, Apple said it was aware of an issue affecting the internal display in a small number of iPhone Duo units and told customers to contact AppleCare to have their devices replaced. This was the first time Apple had publicly responded to the screen damage controversy since the official launch on the 23rd. On overseas communities such as Reddit, users have posted cases of the internal screen cracking or splitting in the center after only a short period of use.
Attention Turns to the Damage Area and the Hinge
U.S. teardown and repair company iFixit pointed out that the damage cases were appearing mainly near the center of the hinge, which connects the two sides of the display. It also raised the possibility that if the central support or curved guardrail does not move sufficiently, pressure could concentrate on the screen. That is iFixit’s suggested structural explanation, not an official defect confirmed by Apple. iFixit also said the iPhone Duo is relatively easy to repair compared with existing foldable phones.
Replacement Policy Announced, but Consumer Costs Remain a Variable
Another point of interest is how quickly the free replacement policy will actually reach users. According to the report, the iPhone Duo was also facing early inventory shortages, and its starting price in South Korea is 3.29 million won. If replacement demand outpaces supply, consumers may have difficulty exchanging the product in a timely manner, which is fueling concerns. After the standard limited warranty expires, free replacement may be difficult unless the customer has separate insurance or a warranty program, and paid repair costs were reported at $999. In South Korea, the basic limited warranty period is listed as two years.
Apple had previously emphasized the iPhone Duo’s durability, saying it uses a hinge made of more than 100 parts along with high-strength glass and polymer layers. But the reports of screen damage immediately after launch have once again underscored how technically challenging foldable phones are. Companies that introduced foldables earlier, including Samsung Electronics and Huawei, have also experienced screen damage or malfunction cases in early models. Going forward, how specifically Apple explains the cause of the damage and the criteria for replacement is likely to be a key factor in restoring trust in the product.
This article was summarized based on a report by Kyunghyang Shinmun.
On the 26th local time, Apple said it was aware of an issue affecting the internal display in a small number of iPhone Duo units and told customers to contact AppleCare to have their devices replaced. This was the first time Apple had publicly responded to the screen damage controversy since the official launch on the 23rd. On overseas communities such as Reddit, users have posted cases of the internal screen cracking or splitting in the center after only a short period of use.
Attention Turns to the Damage Area and the Hinge
U.S. teardown and repair company iFixit pointed out that the damage cases were appearing mainly near the center of the hinge, which connects the two sides of the display. It also raised the possibility that if the central support or curved guardrail does not move sufficiently, pressure could concentrate on the screen. That is iFixit’s suggested structural explanation, not an official defect confirmed by Apple. iFixit also said the iPhone Duo is relatively easy to repair compared with existing foldable phones.
Replacement Policy Announced, but Consumer Costs Remain a Variable
Another point of interest is how quickly the free replacement policy will actually reach users. According to the report, the iPhone Duo was also facing early inventory shortages, and its starting price in South Korea is 3.29 million won. If replacement demand outpaces supply, consumers may have difficulty exchanging the product in a timely manner, which is fueling concerns. After the standard limited warranty expires, free replacement may be difficult unless the customer has separate insurance or a warranty program, and paid repair costs were reported at $999. In South Korea, the basic limited warranty period is listed as two years.
Apple had previously emphasized the iPhone Duo’s durability, saying it uses a hinge made of more than 100 parts along with high-strength glass and polymer layers. But the reports of screen damage immediately after launch have once again underscored how technically challenging foldable phones are. Companies that introduced foldables earlier, including Samsung Electronics and Huawei, have also experienced screen damage or malfunction cases in early models. Going forward, how specifically Apple explains the cause of the damage and the criteria for replacement is likely to be a key factor in restoring trust in the product.
This article was summarized based on a report by Kyunghyang Shinmun.
Source: ‘듀오’ 결함 인정…흠집 난 애플
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