Apple to replace iPhone Duos affected by screen problem

Apple has acknowledged screen problems affecting a small number of its new foldable iPhone Duo handsets, days after the highly anticipated smartphone went on sale.

The company said it was aware of “an issue impacting the inner display on a small number” of devices and advised affected customers to contact Apple for a replacement.

Photos shared on social media appear to show lines across the inner displays of some handsets, while other users have reported cracks along the central crease and unusual crunching noises when opening the devices.

One user, Justin Lokos, posted an image showing lines across the right side of his phone’s display before sharing a photograph of the faulty handset alongside its replacement. He thanked an Apple store in New York for its assistance.

The full extent of the problem remains unclear, as Apple has not disclosed how many devices are affected. Some images circulating online may also have been generated using artificial intelligence, making it difficult to verify all reported cases.

Francisco Jeronimo, a technology analyst at market research firm IDC, said caution was necessary before drawing conclusions about the wider production run. However, he noted that the early reports highlighted the technical challenges Apple faces with its first foldable phone.

The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display connected by a central hinge, a complex component that has also presented challenges for other manufacturers of foldable smartphones.

Samsung encountered similar difficulties in 2019 when its first foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold, suffered screen failures reported by reviewers shortly after its launch.

With a starting price of £1,999 in the UK and top-end models costing as much as £3,199, the Duo is Apple’s most expensive iPhone to date.

Mr Jeronimo said Apple’s response to the early problems could influence consumer confidence in the foldable phone market, particularly as the company positions the device as a premium alternative to existing products.

He added that Apple’s retail network could help it replace faulty devices, but said the company needed to clarify its warranty arrangements ahead of the planned launch in 28 additional markets on October 30.

The Duo represents Apple’s first major iPhone redesign in almost two decades. Unveiled by new chief executive John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook in September, the device functions as a conventional phone when closed and opens into a larger screen resembling a small tablet.

At its unveiling, Mr Ternus said the device would “redefine the experience of using a foldable phone”, as Apple seeks to challenge established competitors in the growing market.

Source: BBC