iPhone Duo inner screen cracking: what UK owners should do now

Apple has confirmed that the inner folding screen on a small number of iPhone Duos is failing, just days after its first foldable went on sale. If you’ve bought one, or you’re about to, here’s what we know, how to spot the problem, and what UK owners should do.

What has Apple said?

In a statement shared with The Verge, CNBC and others on Monday 26 October, Apple said: “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.” The Verge reports that Apple says most units aren’t susceptible, and that the problem shows up quickly on units that have the defect.

On 30 October, MacRumors reported that Apple had sent a memo to Apple Stores and Apple Authorised Service Providers explaining how to diagnose the issue. According to MacRumors, technicians are told to inspect affected phones and repair or replace them under standard procedures. Apple told MacRumors there is no recall, and it hasn’t yet set up a public repair programme on its website.

How to spot the problem

Based on owner reports collected by the BBC, CNBC and The Verge, signs include:

• A crunch when opening: some owners report a crunching noise when unfolding the phone, and The Verge says some reported the hinge tightening first.
• A bright line: CNBC and The Verge describe bright lines running from the hinge, often from the centre towards the right side of the inner screen.
• Cracks along the crease: the BBC reports photos showing cracks along the screen’s centre crease.

Be wary of what you see online. Both the BBC and CNBC note that some images circulating of broken devices may be fake or AI-generated, so the scale of the problem is still unclear. Apple hasn’t said how many phones are affected.

What’s causing it?

Apple hasn’t given a cause. Repair specialist iFixit tore down the phone and, as reported by CNBC and MacRumors, said the issue is likely related to the hinge. “Many of these damage reports describe folding or unfolding the phone, hearing a crunch, and pushing past it,” iFixit technician Shahram Mokhtari said. “Right where the damage is happening, the hinge is shaped a little differently.”

What to do if your iPhone Duo is affected

1. Stop forcing it

If you hear a crunch or feel resistance when opening the phone, don’t push past it, as iFixit’s comments suggest that’s when damage happens.

2. Back up first

Before you hand your phone over, make a backup. In Settings, tap your name, then iCloud > iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now, or back up to a Mac or PC. Apple’s backup guide has the full steps. A replacement phone means restoring from that backup. If you moved to the iPhone Duo from Android, our WhatsApp transfer guide covers your chats.

3. Contact Apple directly

Apple’s statement tells owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement, so start with Apple Support online, the Apple Support app or a Genius Bar. Apple says its standard one-year limited warranty covers manufacturing issues, and it hasn’t said that you need AppleCare+ for this fix.

4. Know your UK rights

If you bought through a network or another retailer, you can still contact Apple. You also have rights against the seller: Apple’s UK store notes that, under English law, consumers have up to six years from delivery to claim a free repair or replacement for goods that don’t conform with the contract of sale, though eligibility can vary. If you bought from Apple and you’re within 14 days of receipt, Apple’s standard returns policy also applies.

How much is an out-of-warranty repair?

Apple UK’s repair pricing page didn’t show an iPhone Duo inner screen figure when we checked, as it needs a specific device to be selected. In the US, CNBC reports that Apple’s website lists an out-of-warranty inner screen repair at $999 (US price). That isn’t a UK price, so check Apple UK’s estimate for your own device, and remember a manufacturing fault should be covered by warranty or your consumer rights.

Should you wait before buying?

The iPhone Duo costs from £1,999 on Apple’s UK store, rising to £3,199 for the top model. Apple says only a small number of units are affected and that the fault shows up quickly, so if you buy now, use the phone carefully for the first few weeks and check the inner screen often. If you’d rather not take the risk, waiting a little while lets the picture become clearer. IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo told the BBC that how Apple handles this “will shape buyer confidence in the category”. Still weighing up other phones? See our Galaxy S26 vs Pixel 10 comparison.

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Featured image: Apple iPhone Duo, photo by SimonWaldherr via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.