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Apple: Noting a small number of iPhone Duo units experiencing internal display failures; users are advised to arrange for a replacement device.
On October 27, BIT (Bit.com) market data showed Apple’s U.S.-listed stock fell 1.02%, with its current market capitalization standing at $5.02 trillion. On the same day, Apple issued an official statement confirming that a small number of iPhone Duo units exhibit abnormal inner-display behavior, and advised affected users to request replacement devices via AppleCare.
Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, officially launched across major global markets on October 23—but shortly after release, reports began surfacing of screen damage near the hinge area. User-submitted photos show white, ray-like cracks emanating from the center of the hinge and extending toward the lower-right corner of the inner display.
Industry analysts note that these failures are highly concentrated around the exact same hinge location—suggesting the root cause may lie in the hinge’s structural design itself, potentially forcing Apple to undertake a full redesign of the component. Reports further reveal that Apple faced hinge supply-chain bottlenecks even during development: its original lead supplier, U.S.-based Amphenol, was dropped from the supply roster due to insufficient yield rates; its share was subsequently transferred to Taiwan-based New Kinpo Group. However, New Kinpo also encountered mass-production challenges, at one point relying on manual screening of “golden samples” to meet delivery requirements.
Apple previously disclosed that the iPhone Duo’s hinge integrates over 100 precision-engineered components and marks the company’s first use of 3D-printed technology for hinge module manufacturing. Given that the device is already in mass production, Apple is reportedly favoring a minimal-change strategy—such as reducing the number of hinge components—to balance defect remediation with production-line stability.
Notably, this hinge flaw could materially impact overall device shipment timelines and end-user sales. According to supply-chain sources, Apple’s production guidance to suppliers indicates a target of approximately 6 million units’ worth of iPhone Duo components by year-end. Meanwhile, key component supplier Fine M-Tec has publicly clarified that recent quality issues are unrelated to the parts it supplies and assembles.
Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, officially launched across major global markets on October 23—but shortly after release, reports began surfacing of screen damage near the hinge area. User-submitted photos show white, ray-like cracks emanating from the center of the hinge and extending toward the lower-right corner of the inner display.
Industry analysts note that these failures are highly concentrated around the exact same hinge location—suggesting the root cause may lie in the hinge’s structural design itself, potentially forcing Apple to undertake a full redesign of the component. Reports further reveal that Apple faced hinge supply-chain bottlenecks even during development: its original lead supplier, U.S.-based Amphenol, was dropped from the supply roster due to insufficient yield rates; its share was subsequently transferred to Taiwan-based New Kinpo Group. However, New Kinpo also encountered mass-production challenges, at one point relying on manual screening of “golden samples” to meet delivery requirements.
Apple previously disclosed that the iPhone Duo’s hinge integrates over 100 precision-engineered components and marks the company’s first use of 3D-printed technology for hinge module manufacturing. Given that the device is already in mass production, Apple is reportedly favoring a minimal-change strategy—such as reducing the number of hinge components—to balance defect remediation with production-line stability.
Notably, this hinge flaw could materially impact overall device shipment timelines and end-user sales. According to supply-chain sources, Apple’s production guidance to suppliers indicates a target of approximately 6 million units’ worth of iPhone Duo components by year-end. Meanwhile, key component supplier Fine M-Tec has publicly clarified that recent quality issues are unrelated to the parts it supplies and assembles.
