Apple’s first foldable is off to a rocky start. Just days after launch, some iPhone Duo owners report cracks along the inner display’s hinge, and the company believed to be behind part of that hinge is pushing back hard.
SammyFans reports that Korean supplier Fine M-Tec has issued an official statement denying that its components caused the display damage. The company also says it’s considering legal action against anyone blaming its parts without objective verification.
Fine M-Tec makes internal hinge plates that distribute stress from folding and unfolding, helping protect the display panel. It has supplied similar parts to Samsung Display, and it’s been widely reported as an iPhone Duo supplier. Interestingly, Fine M-Tec’s statement doesn’t name Apple or the iPhone Duo.
What’s actually causing the iPhone Duo cracks?
Nobody knows for sure yet. Shortly after the iPhone Duo went on sale on October 23, owners began posting photos of cracks and bright lines on the inner display, mostly around the hinge.
Apple has acknowledged the problem. In a statement Reuters reported, the company said it’s aware of an issue affecting “a small number of iPhone Duo units.” It’s telling affected owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Apple hasn’t said what’s causing it.
iFixit has a theory, though. After building a 3D simulation of the hinge, it found that the damage clusters near a central support bar beneath the display. iFixit believes the bar may not retract far enough as the phone closes, putting pressure on the screen. That’s still preliminary, and the iPhone Duo’s hinge has more than 100 parts from multiple suppliers, so pinning it on one company is tricky.
If your Duo is affected, contact AppleCare right away. Replacing the inner display out of warranty costs $999, compared to $99 with AppleCare+.
This is a frustrating start for a $1,999 phone, especially one that was so hard to get. Every company that makes foldables has faced early durability issues, and Samsung had a very public stumble with the original Galaxy Fold in 2019. Apple waited years to enter the foldable market, partly to avoid exactly this kind of problem. Hopefully, the replacements and a fix come quickly. If you pre-ordered one and it hasn’t arrived yet, keep an eye out for any changes Apple makes to newer units.
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