Apple’s latest foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, has encountered early user complaints about screen durability just weeks after its September launch. Despite Apple’s assertions during the Surprise and Shine event that they had resolved the typical challenges of foldable screens, some users have reported cracks appearing only hours or days after beginning to use the device. Reports include loud cracking noises and visible fractures, along with display malfunctions affecting the phone’s usability.

Several third-party sources, including Bloomberg and 404 Media, have highlighted that these screen issues are not isolated. In addition to cracking, early adopters have noted pronounced creases running down the center of the $2,000 folding screen, which detracts from the product’s premium expectations. The problems have raised questions about whether Apple has truly perfected foldable display technology as it claimed.

In response, Apple acknowledged to Bloomberg that a defect in the inner screen affects a small number of iPhone Duo units but has not yet provided detailed information on any fixes or recalls. TechCrunch has reached out to Apple for further comment and will monitor the situation as it unfolds. This development adds to a series of foldable phone launches from major manufacturers that have struggled with durability and hinging mechanisms.

The iPhone Duo’s challenges echo a broader pattern in the tech industry, where producing a reliable foldable smartphone has remained a significant hurdle despite intensified efforts. Apple’s entrance into this space was highly anticipated, but these durability complaints suggest that the technology still faces important obstacles to widespread adoption and consumer satisfaction.