Experts dismantle $1,999 Apple iPhone Duo and discover reason why screens could be cracking
Apple’s first ever foldable iPhone is finally available to buy after it was first unveiled last month, with prices starting from $1,999.
Consumers have been excited to get their hands on the new iPhone Duo, with pre orders selling out just moments after becoming available.
The tech giant shared that the device was innovated with a thin screen layer to minimize the visibility of a crease along the screen where it folds, and when unfolded, will be their thinnest model yet.
The hinge was also engineered to support the device, with Apple stating: “The central structural plane has support ribs for added stiffness. To make the frame even more rigid, the antenna splits are reinforced with high performance inserts. They’re made from ceramic fibers that are three times stronger than grade five titanium. Together these structural details make iPhone Duo feel exceptionally solid every time you use it.”
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However, since its release, repair specialists have analysed the device and discovered a potential reason why screens might be cracking.
This comes after some consumers have taken to social media to claim that their iPhone Duo screen had cracked within hours of ownership.
An investigation by iFixit led to experts dismantling the new Apple phone to figure out where its weaknesses might be.
As a result, the team identified a section of the hinge where mechanical stress could potentially build up, offering one possible explanation for the damage.
Why are the iPhone Duo screens reportedly cracking?
According to the team, the issue seems to be around the central hinge support, where the screen’s support changes as it bends.
While one possibility is that the central support bar does not move down far enough when the phone closes, meaning that the curved display presses against it and creates a concentrated point of stress, however, iFixit has not determined a definitive cause of the issue.
Dust entering the hinge could create additional problems over time, especially because cleaning or replacing its moving components requires removing the flexible display and its supporting structure.
A bigger concern for customers is the cost of fixing problems as replacing the iPhone Duo’s inner display outside of the Apple warranty is reported to cost a whopping $999.
iFixit has given the Duo a repairability rating of five out of 10, which might not seem great but it is actually the highest rating they have given to a foldable smartphone.