iPhone Duo Screen Cracks: Is a Hinge Defect Causing ‘Crackgate’?

November 10, 2026

iPhone Duo Screen Cracks: Is a Hinge Defect Causing 'Crackgate'?

Reports began surfacing soon after the iPhone Duo debuted last Friday, and more have followed since: several owners are noticing cracks forming on the internal display even though the device has not been dropped or struck. The damage appears to originate from the lower portion of the hinge and produces a dark blotch from which streaks of bright pixels radiate.

A tweet highlighted early complaints, noting that screen cracks were being reported from Australia, China, the United States and Canada. Some users say hinge-related failures appeared after fewer than 20 folds, raising scrutiny around the foldable’s durability while the overall failure rate remains unclear.

There are already dozens of pictures and videos online showing this defect, and many of the images look strikingly similar. It’s impossible to verify every submission: some people may have fabricated custom wallpapers to attract attention on social media, and a few influencers might even have intentionally damaged screens to create buzz. Still, the number of reports has grown enough — including examples taken from Apple Store demo units — that the issue is drawing media attention and has been nicknamed “Crackgate.”

The breakage seems to be associated with a specific part of the Duo’s hinge, highlighted in red in some shared images. One hypothesis is that a component inside the hinge presses against the back of the display and eventually pierces it.

That idea is reinforced by video footage showing an iPhone Duo where the right side of the central fold appears to be slightly pushed up by an internal piece.

Another widely shared post suggested that frequent screen problems near the hinge could be the underlying cause in these cases.

Apple has not yet issued an official statement about the growing controversy. Several affected customers say that Apple Support replaced their damaged devices. Whether these incidents are isolated mishaps or the result of a batch of phones with a faulty hinge remains to be seen — this is a situation to watch closely in the coming weeks.

Update — October 26, 2026 at 11:20:
Investigations indicate the hinge is indeed responsible for the screen cracks.

Update — October 26, 2026 at 18:29:
Apple has acknowledged a defect but says it affects only a limited number of iPhone Duo units.

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