The iPhone Duo debuted and overturned! Apple (AAPL.US) Response: Only a “small number” of devices are affected, and you can contact AppleCare for a free replacement

The Zhitong Finance App noticed that Apple (AAPL.US)'s first folding screen phone, the iPhone Duo, went on sale on Friday. There were long queues at stores, and the waiting time for pre-order orders was quite long.

However, some users who were lucky enough to get this phone, which started at 15,999 yuan (starting at $1999 in the US) on the first weekend, reported a very serious problem: the phone's internal screen may be damaged, and the horizontal bright line extends from the hinge.

Apple said on Monday that it has learned of the issue, saying it only affects a “small number” of phones and will replace devices for affected users through the AppleCare warranty service.

An Apple representative told CNBC: “We have noticed an issue affecting the internal screen of a small number of iPhone Duo devices. If the user has an issue with the iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement.”

According to Apple's official website, the cost of repairing the inner-screen of the iPhone Duo, which is out of warranty, is 999 US dollars.

Most of the reports came from anonymous users on internet forums such as Reddit and X, and some fake images also appeared online. However, the equipment maintenance company iFixit spoke out after dismantling the new machine and testing its dustproof performance on Sunday, speculating that the problem may be related to Apple's hinge design.

iFixit technician Shahram Mohtari said in the teardown video: “Many damage reports describe hearing a crackling sound when folding or unfolding the phone and then continuing to forcibly operate it. Exactly where the damage occurred, the shape of the hinge was slightly different.”

iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens posted on X: “The hinge actually consists of dozens of parts, and the accuracy is astonishingly high. A single manufacturing tolerance or a grain of sand could destroy the fragile display panel it protects.”

The broken screen problem has plagued folding screen phones since 2019, and is seen as one of the main obstacles to the mass adoption of this technology. Back then, Samsung released one of its first folding devices, and reviewers soon discovered that its internal screen cracked during normal use.

Early reviewers praised the iPhone Duo's user experience after launch, particularly in terms of multitasking and video entertainment, but also pointed out that many apps haven't been updated to take full advantage of the phone's larger, wider screen.

Apple said on Monday that an app update for this new folding device is already underway.

An Apple representative said in a statement: “The response of early users to the iPhone Duo was extremely positive, and it's exciting to see that developers are rapidly updating the app to take full advantage of its unique form.”