Apple’s $1,999 iPhone Duo Has Hit an Early Screen Snag

Getting a brand-new phone should mean a weekend of taking photos, rearranging apps and showing it off. For some iPhone Duo buyers, it has meant arranging a replacement instead.

Just days after Apple’s first foldable phone reached stores, owners began reporting bright lines across its inner display. Some described hearing a crunch while opening or closing the device before the screen developed problems.

Apple has now acknowledged the issue, saying a small number of phones are affected. Its message to owners experiencing display trouble is to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

Repair specialists at iFixit have been looking into what might be happening beneath the screen. Their early theory points toward the hinge, where tiny components have to move precisely as the phone folds. Apple hasn’t confirmed that explanation.

For anyone who spent $1,999 or more on the Duo, this is a frustrating start. Still, there isn’t enough information to say how common the failures are. Reports on social media include unverified accounts and fake images, so the most useful development so far is Apple giving affected buyers a way to get help.