Apple Acknowledges iPhone Duo Inner Display Issue, Offers Replacements

Apple has acknowledged an issue affecting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units and is directing affected owners to AppleCare for a replacement. The response follows reports of screens cracking or developing bright lines shortly after purchase.

In its statement, shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple said:

The response to iPhone Duo from early users has been incredibly positive, and we are seeing exciting things from developers who are rapidly updating their apps to take advantage of its unique form factor. 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.

In a follow-up clarification, the company said most iPhone Duo units are not susceptible to the issue and that affected devices appear to develop the defect relatively quickly after use. Apple has not provided a failure rate.

Bloomberg independently verified reports from more than half a dozen customers, using photos of damaged devices or records of their support conversations with Apple. Owners described unusual resistance or a crunching sound while opening the phone, followed by damage near the center fold and bright lines or a white patch across the inner screen.

San Diego customer Tom Battle described feeling a bump or loose piece beneath the display after the phone became harder to open. Venture capitalist Jonathan King said his outer screen continued to work, but the inner display became unusable and registered touches he was not making.

Replacement experiences have varied. A customer in Richmond, Virginia, said a store found no accidental damage, but lacked a replacement device, leaving him waiting. Another customer received a replacement at Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York after staff gathered details for an Early Field Failure Analysis. The report says Apple engineers are seeking affected devices for investigation.

The customer accounts follow iFixit's investigation into possible hinge-related screen damage. Its hinge model identified a possible stress point near the center support, but neither that analysis nor Apple's statement confirms what has caused the failures.