iFixit has released a teardown report on Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo, saying the device’s display failures may be related to the hinge.
According to Cailian Press, the model received a large amount of negative feedback after launch. Some consumers said cracks appeared on the inner screen after just a few days, and in some cases only a few hours, of use. iFixit said many of the reported failures seem to cluster near a point slightly below the middle of the right half of the display.
Two possible causes in the teardown report
To examine the issue, iFixit built a 3D model of the hinge using scans, teardown videos, and research into Apple patents.
One possibility is that the central support rod does not retract properly when the phone closes, placing excessive pressure on the screen. Another is that the curved guide rail that directs hinge movement sits higher than surrounding components during folding and may interfere with the display if it does not move as expected.
iFixit said it has not determined the final cause of the failures, but added that the damaged area resembles the internal geometry of the hinge.
Hinge structure and repairability
The report said the hinge is made up of gears, springs, and interconnected metal joints in a waterdrop-style design. Apple also uses curved guide rails to control joint movement.
On repairability, iFixit gave the iPhone Duo a score of 5 out of 10 and said it may be the easiest foldable phone to repair. Because the device uses clips instead of relying entirely on adhesive, the frame around the inner display can be removed without damage, and the outer screen is also relatively easy to take off.