iPhone Duo's debut stumbles! Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) responds: only affects a "small number" of devices, contact AppleCare for a free replacement

Notice that Apple Inc. (AAPL.US)'s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, went on sale Friday, with long lines at stores and lengthy wait times for pre-orders. But some users lucky enough to get the phonepriced from RMB15,999 in China (US$1,999 in the US)on its first weekend reported a fairly serious problem: the inner screen may be damaged, with a horizontal bright line extending from the hinge. Apple Inc. said Monday it was aware of the issue, saying it affects only a "small number" of phones and that it will replace affected users' devices through its AppleCare warranty service. An Apple Inc. representative told CNBC: "We have noticed an issue affecting the inner display of a small number of iPhone Duo devices. If users experience a problem with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement." Apple Inc. says on its website that out-of-warranty repairs for the iPhone Duo's inner screen cost US$999. Most reports came from anonymous users on online forums such as Reddit and X, and some fake images have also appeared online. However, device repair company iFixit, after teardown and dust-resistance testing of the new phone on Sunday, speculated that the problem may be related to Apple Inc.'s hinge design. iFixit technician Shahram Mokhtari said in a teardown video: "Many damage reports describe hearing a sharp crack when folding or unfolding the phone, then continuing to force it. Right where the damage occurs, the hinge has a slightly different shape." iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens posted on X: "The hinge is actually made up of dozens of parts, with astonishing precision. A bit of manufacturing tolerance or a grain of sand could ruin the fragile display panel it protects." Screen cracking has plagued foldable phones since 2019 and is seen as one of the main obstacles to the technology's mass adoption. That year, Samsung released one of its first foldable devices, and reviewers quickly found its inner screen cracking under normal use. Early reviewers praised the iPhone Duo's unfolded experience, especially for multitasking and media entertainment, but also noted that many apps have not yet been updated to take full advantage of the phone's larger, wider screen. Apple Inc. said Monday that app updates for the new foldable device are already underway. An Apple Inc. representative said in a statement: "Early user response to the iPhone Duo has been extremely positive, and it is exciting to see developers rapidly updating apps to take full advantage of its unique form factor."