Apple's foldable phone has a crease in its reputation

Apple has confirmed problems with the folding screen on its flagship iPhone Duo after reports of misbehaving displays spread among its customer base.

A company spokesperson told The Register, "We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units."

"If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement."

That's the least the company can do. A borked screen on a brand-new device is something any customer would expect the warranty to cover.

The iPhone Duo went on sale last week and sold out almost immediately as loyalists rushed to hand over cash for Apple's foldable device. UK shoppers can expect to pay from £1,999 to £3,199 for the Duo, depending on configuration.

Complaints soon surfaced on social media, with a small number of customers reporting horizontal lines on their screens, and a crunching noise from the hinge. Some reports were undoubtedly the work of AI images, though iFixit speculated in a weekend teardown that dust ingress could be interfering with the complex hinge mechanism and stressing the screen.

Apple is far from the only foldable maker to stumble over production creases in its foldable phone hardware. Samsung's Galaxy Fold was delayed in 2019 after reports of dust creeping under the screen and borked displays, prompting swift design tweaks.

Francisco Jeronimo, veep of Worldwide Devices at IDC, said: "The early reports of inner display failures on the iPhone Duo show that even a company with Apple's engineering resources and supply chain discipline faces a steep learning curve in foldables."

Jermonimo noted Apple had not yet shared any figures or the scale of the problems. "Some of the images circulating online are recycled or altered, so caution is needed before drawing conclusions about the whole production run."

However, Samsung's "fast and transparent response" limited damage to the category, he added, and how Apple, "handles this first-generation issue will shape buyer confidence in the category well beyond its own sales."

Apple's statement to The Register indicates taking the problem seriously, and it will be eager to avoid a repeat of the iPhone 4, which was marred by the infamous "you're holding it wrong" furor.

With the iPhone Duo, the last thing Apple wants is to be accused of telling customers "you're folding it wrong." ®