“Crackgate” Begins: Apple Aware Of Duo Screens Breaking As Complaints Mount

The iPhone Duo has a lead time of about 79 days, Bank of America analysts said on Monday. International availability for the new foldable handset is now expected in mid-to-late January, as Apple Stores nationwide sell out of inventory.

Apple Confirms “Crackgate” 

*APPLE IPHONE DUO DRAWS EARLY COMPLAINTS OF THE SCREEN CRACKING

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) October 26, 2026

Consumers have had the Duo since last Friday, when it first became available. Resellers have listed these phones on eBay for a heafty premium, and popular influencers have already reviewed the device, which some have described as an “iPad that can fit in your pocket.”

But just days into the launch, a number of troubling reports on X and Reddit show these new smartphones are breaking within hours of use. 

These reports first surfaced on X and Reddit early in the weekend:

iPhone Duo broken screen compilation 🤣 https://t.co/78z2W8ZACs

— I Hate Apple (@iHateApplee) October 25, 2026

Some early iPhone Duo owners are reporting that the inner screen cracked along the hinge after just a few folds One buyer said their $2,000 phone broke after fewer than 20 openings, though Apple hasn’t said how many phones are affected https://t.co/SEPaBbPwnA

— Interesting AF (@interesting_aIl) October 26, 2026

By Monday morning, Bloomberg had confirmed the reports:

In these cases, customers reported hearing a crunching sound when unfolding the phone, followed by a large crack forming along the center crease. Some users also experienced a white patch or other display malfunction on the right side of the screen.

Venture capitalist Jonathan King told the outlet he heard a “crunch-like sound” when he opened his new Duo on Monday.

“I had all intent to post a positive review of my Duo experience today, until it happened to me,” King said. “The smaller outer screen works just fine, but the inner screen is now unusable,” King said. 

“Crackgate” Begins 

Someone broke their own iPhone Duo to reveal what might be causing the #crackgate https://t.co/aJczaEVeH5

— Abhishek Bhatnagar (@abhishek) October 26, 2026

the iPhone Duo broke after 75k folds very disappointing to see for a ~ $2000 phone https://t.co/Q08NlL5S2Q

— Holly – I like tech (@AnxiousHolly) October 26, 2026

🚨 iPhone Duo #Crackgate exposed? A Korean video suggests the issue could be structural and hinge-related, not just a quality control problem. 😳 If true, this could affect any unit. Apple needs to investigate. https://t.co/sOx7NXSRv7

— Rajesh Rajput (Technobuzz) (@iRaj_r) October 26, 2026

The Potential Failure Point

CEO John Ternus, who recently took the reins from Tim Cook, has dismissed competing foldable handsets as “cheap and crappy.” At the same time, Apple’s head of hardware engineering, Tom Marieb, recently encouraged customers to hold Apple “accountable” for the foldable screen’s durability.

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