Owners of the new foldable iPhone are reporting cracks in the device’s screen, as Apple confirmed an issue with a “small number” of units. Reports of cracks have emerged on Reddit and social media platforms since the phone went on general sale globally on Friday. Experts said there were too few examples to determine whether there was a more serious problem with Apple’s first foldable device, which sells from $1,999 (£1,499). Apple confirmed that some devices had been affected by a display failure. “We are aware of an issue affecting the internal display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users are experiencing issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement,” it said. A user in Australia reported that their Duo had broken within six hours of taking possession and posted their experience on Reddit. “I was showing it to a friend and when I opened it, I felt something around the internal hinge, under the screen,” they wrote alongside an image of the phone that showed an apparent screen malfunction where a strip of white light ran down the middle of the screen. “As I continued to open it, I heard an audible crack and the screen broke right along the hinge.” They said their local Apple store had replaced the phone immediately. The Guardian has not been able to verify the user’s claims. Another user in Australia posted that they had heard “almost a crackling sound” on their phone, resulting in a similar screen malfunction. iPhone Duo phones on display at an Apple store in London. Photograph: Kin Cheung/APA The Bloomberg news service report also highlighted similar issues among users in the US and India. Apple believes that affected units show defects quickly after use. He said the response from early users had been “incredibly positive”. The company said demand had been “nothing short of extraordinary” for the iPhone Duo, its highest-profile product launch under the company’s new chief executive, John Ternus, who replaced Tim Cook in September. Shipments are not expected until January, according to a report by Economic Daily, a publication based in Taiwan, the home country of Foxconn, Apple’s main device maker. Francisco Jerónimo, vice president of data and analytics at IDC, a technology research firm, said it was too early to say whether the display problem was significant. “This is quite common when a new product hits the market,” he said. Citing similar problems at Samsung in 2019, he said: “What matters now is how the company responds… Samsung experienced problems with the original Galaxy Fold in 2019, but it also showed that a quick and transparent response can contain damage to a category.” Apple said any customer with problems should ask for a replacement, which is the right first step.” Ben Wood, chief analyst at research firm CCS, said it was taking a very cautious view of the Duo display issue and there was no evidence yet of a more widespread problem with the device.
