Apple announced that it is aware of issues with the internal screen of its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, and has committed to replacing affected units.
Since its launch last Friday (23rd), some consumers have begun reporting failures in the device's internal panel. According to reports circulated online, these failures manifest as bright horizontal lines emerging from the area near the hinge.
In response to these occurrences, Apple confirmed on Monday (26th) that the problem affects only a 'small number' of devices. The company advised customers who find screen defects to contact AppleCare to request a device replacement.
A company spokesperson informed CNBC: 'We are aware of an issue affecting the internal screen of a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users experience problems with the iPhone Duo screen, they should contact AppleCare to request a replacement.'
The initial cost of the device is US$ 1,999 (equivalent to R$ 21,999 in Brazil). For cases where the device is not covered by warranty, the repair of the internal screen costs US$ 999 (approximately R$ 5,400), as detailed on Apple's support page.
Internal screen failures are a known challenge in the foldable phone market since 2019, when Samsung introduced a model with this format, and reviewers noted cracks and panel malfunctions during normal use.
Screen durability remains a factor that may limit the wider acceptance of this type of technology. Despite recent issues, initial reviews of the iPhone Duo praised the user experience with the device open, especially for multitasking and media consumption tasks.
However, reviewers also pointed out that many applications were not yet optimized to take advantage of the larger and wider screens. Apple assured on Monday that developers are already working on adapting their software to the new format. A company representative stated that the initial reception of the iPhone Duo was 'extremely positive,' and that they are observing interesting progress from developers who are quickly updating their apps to leverage the device's unique design.