Apple's iPhone Duo Faces 'Crackgate' as Early Users Report Hinge-Related Screen Failures

Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, launched on October 23, 2026, at a starting price of $1,999, but reports of inner screen cracks along the hinge emerged within hours, sparking the moniker 'Crackgate' across social media and tech forums. Owners in Australia, the US, Canada, China, and India described a consistent failure pattern: an audible crunch or crack during unfolding, followed by a visible crease-line fracture and often a bright white line of stuck pixels on one side of the 7.6-inch inner display. One Australian buyer reported the issue after fewer than 20 openings in about six hours, with Apple Stores replacing affected units on the spot without initial diagnostics.

Teardowns and analyses from iFixit and YouTubers like CuriousHagi point to potential structural vulnerabilities in the complex hinge mechanism, including a thinner linking component that may shear or catch, transferring stress to the delicate folding screen layers. Apple's repair documentation anticipates hinge issues by directing technicians to replace the entire inner display assembly. While the scale remains unclear—described as a small but growing number of cases amid high initial demand—Apple has yet to issue a public statement, though early replacements suggest the company is collecting data for potential fixes.

The incidents echo broader challenges in the foldable market, where first-generation durability has historically been an issue for competitors like Samsung. CEO John Ternus, recently succeeding Tim Cook, had previously critiqued rival foldables as 'cheap and crappy,' raising stakes for Apple's hardware reputation. Supply constraints, with some models backordered into 2027, add pressure as international rollout continues.