The iPhone Duo iFixit breakdown has been completed, and the findings point to some theories as to why the recently reported screen cracks may be happening. iFixit also revealed its repairability score for the Duo, same as it's done for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the rating turned out to be the highest the company has given to any foldable.
Using its CT scans and a 3D hinge model, iFixit's breakdown points to two possible theories as to what is causing the damage:
A center support bar that may not be dropping low enough when the phone closes.
A curved hinge rail that may not be retracting as it should.
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The reported damage so far seems to focus on one spot on the screen, right above where the gap for the display cable meets the central hinge support.
The hinge's center support sits right beside the gap for the display cable. | Image by iFixit
In iFixit's simulations, if that center bar doesn't drop low enough while the phone is closing, the screen's fold comes down on it, possibly causing a strain hotspot where the phone is reported to be breaking.
iFixit also noted that Apple's curved rails are rising above the hinge plates as the phone closes, which is done to keep the screen gently curved. However, one of those rails is sitting right where the damage keeps showing up, and it might not be retracting at times.
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It should be noted, though, that both of these explanations are merely theories, and iFixit says that it's hard to say if they're the actual causes without more testing.
After iFixit's teardown, where do you stand on the iPhone Duo?
3 Votes
The iPhone Duo repairability score is surprising
Even with everything found, iFixit still gave the Duo a provisional 5/10 repairability score, which is the highest the company has ever given a foldable. iFixit attributes this to the device's ability to release the batteries with an electric current and the outer screen being able to come off intact. Apple also posted its repair manuals for the Duo on day one.
Both batteries let go once current runs through their adhesive. | Image by iFixit
This score is provisional, though, until Apple's self-repair parts show up for iFixit to test with. That said, the inner display and hinge remain the biggest repair obstacles, as a full fix means that many parts have to be moved into a new chassis.
Apple charges $999 to replace that screen out of warranty. That's a lot of money when you compare it to what Google charges for inner screen service on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which is $568. Samsung also only charges $579 for the same service on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, so both Fold 8 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold owners pay roughly $420 less for the same kind of fix.
iPhone Duo screen repair is not for the faint of heart
With the Duo starting at $1,999, that puts the $999 out-of-warranty repair at half the price of buying a brand new one.
Apple has yet to address these screen issues, and iFixit's causes have not been confirmed to be a design flaw. As things stand, all we can advise is that if you start to hear a crunching sound as you open or close the Duo, don't force it or try to push past it. This seems to be the type of phone that will need to be babied, and as is recommended for every foldable out there, keep it away from sand.
iFixit also says that it plans to eventually sell replacement screens for the Duo, but these won't be cheap.
Apple got the repair basics right, but folding is still a problem
This is still Apple's first-generation folding device, so considering that Apple did an okay job of borrowing its best repair tricks from its slab iPhones, I'd like to give the company its credit where it's due.
However, these breakage reports and the fact that it is happening in the most vulnerable spot that costs the most to repair make it a big miss. We still haven't gotten an official explanation from Apple, so I hope this is addressed sooner rather than later, as many pre-ordered units are likely still waiting to be fulfilled.
Johanna Romero is a Senior News Writer at PhoneArena, covering mobile technology news across Android, iOS, wearables, and the Google ecosystem she knows best. Drawing on 15 years in IT and tech support from 2007 to 2022, she brings a user-friendly eye for the practical features and lesser-known tricks readers care about. Google named her an official #TeamPixel member in 2022, and she also reviews the latest devices on her YouTube channel, JoJo the Techie.
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