Apple is investigating reports of screen failures affecting some of its newly launched iPhone Duo foldable phones, after early users discovered serious damage to their devices within hours—or even minutes—of use.

The $2,000 smartphone launched last week, marking Apple’s entry into the foldable phone market. However, despite the company’s emphasis on its precision-engineered hinge, reports of damaged internal displays are raising questions about the device’s durability.

Images circulating online show similar patterns of damage across affected phones. Bright lines appear near the middle of the internal OLED screen, extending toward the bottom and right edges. Some devices also display dead pixels along the central crease.

These symptoms are consistent with physical damage to an OLED panel. When the display’s internal layers are compromised, some pixels can become permanently illuminated while others stop working entirely. Replacing the damaged screen is reportedly expensive, with the repair cost reaching roughly half the price of the phone.

Several owners say their devices developed problems within a day of purchase. Others claim the screens failed after opening and closing the phones only a few times, with some experiencing issues before completing the initial setup.

Some customers have reportedly obtained replacements through Apple stores, although supplies may be limited during the product’s early release period.

iFixit Investigation Points to a Possible Hinge Problem

With Apple yet to explain the precise cause of the failures, repair specialists at iFixit have examined the phone’s internal components for clues.

Foldable phones must transfer power and data between their two halves, typically using flexible cables routed through the hinge. The iPhone Duo contains a wide ribbon cable with accordion-like folds, but iFixit’s analysis suggests that the observed screen damage may originate elsewhere.

Some affected users have reported unusual resistance or a clicking sound when closing their phones. In several cases, the display damage appeared shortly afterward.

Using CT scans, iFixit identified a potential failure point beneath the area where the ribbon cable passes through the hinge. The supporting mechanism changes width in this section, raising the possibility of a mechanical alignment problem.

One theory is that a narrow component of the hinge becomes stuck, preventing the mechanism from moving far enough to accommodate the display’s curved shape when the phone closes. This could place excessive pressure on the OLED panel, eventually damaging its pixels.

YouTuber CuriousHagi has also examined the area, suggesting that a thinner hinge component might be sticking against its support plate or failing during movement.

These explanations remain theories rather than confirmed findings. Apple has not publicly identified the root cause, and further investigation will be needed to determine whether the hinge is responsible.

If the mechanism is indeed placing excessive pressure on the screen, the damage could occur unpredictably. Repeated stress might cause a display to fail after a few minutes or several days of use.

Apple Acknowledges the Issue

Apple has confirmed that some iPhone Duo units are experiencing problems with their internal displays, although the company maintains that only a small number of devices are affected.

In a statement, the company said it was aware of the issue and advised customers experiencing display problems to contact AppleCare for assistance and a replacement.

Apple also reportedly indicated that the failures become apparent quickly on affected devices, potentially reassuring buyers that the problem does not necessarily develop after months of normal use.

However, the company has not promised that every affected customer will immediately receive a replacement. Availability may depend on stock levels, while damaged units could be sent to Apple engineers for examination.

The actual scale of the problem remains unclear. Reports on social media can make a defect appear widespread even when it affects a relatively small percentage of a product’s total sales. Nevertheless, the number of similar complaints has drawn attention to the reliability of Apple’s first foldable phone.

Samsung Faced Similar Problems With Its First Foldable

Apple is not the first manufacturer to encounter durability concerns when introducing a foldable smartphone.

When Samsung launched its original Galaxy Fold in 2019, reviewers reported display damage within days of receiving their devices. The problem was linked to the phone’s early hinge design, which allowed debris to enter the mechanism and damage the screen from underneath.

Samsung delayed the launch while it redesigned parts of the device to address the issue.

Although foldable phones have continued to improve, their hinges and flexible displays introduce mechanical challenges that traditional smartphones largely avoid. Repeated bending, pressure distribution and the protection of delicate display components all affect long-term reliability.

Apple’s entry into the market also means that any defect is likely to receive substantial public attention because of the company’s large customer base and the premium price of the device.

Can Buyers Trust the iPhone Duo?

For now, it is too early to determine whether the reported failures represent an isolated manufacturing defect or a more significant design problem.

Apple’s investigation should help establish whether the damage is linked to the hinge, the display itself or another internal component. Until the cause is confirmed, prospective buyers may want to monitor developments and reports from early owners before purchasing the device.

The iPhone Duo’s launch represents a major step into a new category for Apple, but the early reports underline the engineering difficulties involved in producing a reliable foldable phone.

For customers paying $2,000, durability will be just as important as the device’s design and features. Apple’s response—and whether it can resolve the issue quickly—could shape confidence in its first-generation foldable smartphone.