November 2, 2026, 4:40 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
A display defect in the iPhone Duo appears to be a bigger issue than previously thought. Last week, Apple confirmed that a “small number” of units were affected. Reports of pixel errors in the Duo’s foldable screen are increasing on social media under the hashtag “Crackgate.” Thousands of units could be affected by the defect, prompting Apple to train its store staff for diagnosis.
Hinge responsible for the error?
Apple confirmed to TECHBOOK last Tuesday that it is “aware of an issue affecting the inner display of a small number of iPhone Duo devices.” The company has not specified what causes the problem. Affected users are advised to contact AppleCare for a replacement.
During the teardown of the iPhone Duo, repair experts at iFixit identified a component of the display hinge that may be causing the damage. Apparently, the component does not fully open and thus presses against the display from behind. This is supported by the fact that the defect occurs in the same spot on all affected devices.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg confirmed in his “Power On” newsletter on Monday that he personally verified cases of defective displays in the iPhone Duo. While AI-generated images are circulating on social media, Gurman notes that real users are affected. In his assessment, the “small number” could indeed mean that thousands of iPhone Duo units were shipped with a defective hinge.
Apple prepares technicians for diagnosis
“MacRumors” also reports on an internal memo obtained by the online publication, which includes a guide for diagnosis and further steps in dealing with the cracking issue. Apple reportedly sent the instructions to Apple Stores and authorized service providers last week.
According to “MacRumors,” this indicates that the display defect is so widespread that “official guidelines” are necessary. However, Apple apparently also notes in the memo itself that only a small number of units are affected.