iPhone Duo Inner Screen Cracked? What to Do Right Now
Some iPhone Duo inner displays are cracking along the hinge within days. What the problem looks like, what Apple has said, and how to get a free replacement.
The iPhone Duo went on sale on October 23, and within days owners started posting photos of the same thing: a crack running down the middle of the inner screen.
If that's happened to you, here's what's going on and what to do.
What the problem looks like
The reports are oddly consistent:
- A crack along the centre line, right where the hinge folds
- A horizontal band of pixels stuck glowing white, or bright lines spreading out from the hinge
- Many owners say they heard a crunch while opening or closing the phone, kept going, and then saw the damage
It usually shows up within hours or days of unboxing, not months.
What Apple has said
Apple confirmed the problem. Its statement:
"We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units."
Apple says most Duos aren't affected and tells anyone who is to contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Nobody outside Apple knows how many phones are affected. Bloomberg verified it with more than half a dozen owners, and some of the photos online are fake, so the real number is unclear.
Why it might be happening
iFixit, which tore the phone down, points at the hinge. Its technician noticed the hinge is shaped a little differently right where the cracks appear. iFixit's CEO put it bluntly: the hinge is "dozens of parts, with ludicrous precision," and "a manufacturing variance or grain of sand can kill the fragile display panel it protects."
So the leading theory is a batch of hinges with a defect, not something owners are doing wrong.
What to do if yours cracked
- Stop folding it. Every open and close can make the crack spread.
- Take photos and a short video of the damage, including the white pixels.
- Back it up if the outer screen still works: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. (More in how to back up your phone.)
- Contact Apple through the Apple Support app, getsupport.apple.com, or book a Genius Bar visit. Say it's the known inner display issue Apple has acknowledged.
- Still inside your return window? You can also ask for a refund instead of a replacement.
What it costs if you're out of warranty
An out-of-warranty inner screen repair is listed at $999 on Apple's site. That's half the price of the phone, so if you're keeping a Duo long term, AppleCare+ is worth it on this one.
How to protect a Duo that's fine
- If you hear a crunch or feel grit, stop. Don't force it closed.
- Keep it out of sandy pockets and bags. Dust in the hinge is the classic foldable killer.
- Don't press hard on the crease.
- Use the case on the outside, not a screen protector you add yourself on the inside.
Should you still buy one?
If you're on the fence, it's reasonable to wait a few weeks until Apple says more or ships units from a fixed batch. We cover that in should you buy the iPhone Duo now or wait.
