Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo Draws Praise and Early Reports of Cracked Screens

Apple's highly anticipated foldable iPhone Duo has hit the market, garnering positive reviews for its innovative design and nearly invisible screen crease. However, the $1,999 device is also facing early criticism regarding its hefty build, camera compromises, app support, and reports of cracked screens shortly after purchase.

Launched on Friday, the iPhone Duo received scores such as 8.8 out of 10 from Engadget, and 7 out of 10 from The Verge and WIRED. Engadget described Apple's entry into the foldable market as "worth the wait," while The Verge called it a "messy, expensive, good time," and WIRED deemed it an "astonishingly good first foldable."

The device features a 7.6-inch matte display designed to reduce glare, and an innovative hinge mechanism that allows the screen to hold various angles. Despite these features, some early adopters have reported significant issues. A handful of posts on Reddit indicate disappointment, with one user stating their "iPhone Duo screen cracked within 6 hours of ownership." This user described hearing an audible crack near the internal hinge while opening the device, leading to screen damage without any apparent external cause. The user was reportedly given a replacement by an Apple store.

Another Reddit user shared a video of a cracked device, noting that "some of them are cracking in the exact same area." An image posted by a different user also highlighted damage in the same spot, with the caption, "I’ve seen several iPhone Duos with damage in this exact same spot."

Reviewers have praised the device's titanium construction and smooth folding mechanism. However, the screen crease remains visible at certain angles and can be felt when touched. The device's anti-reflective finish also affects color vibrancy and black depth compared to Apple's non-folding iPhones. Weighing 254 grams and measuring 11.3 millimeters thick when folded, the Duo's bulk is a common point of complaint.

Its 5.4-inch external display has also drawn mixed reactions, with some appreciating its compact size and others finding websites and apps cramped. The Wall Street Journal criticized the device as "Too Much iPhone, Too Little iPad," noting that its multitasking and productivity features fall short of an iPad, even with the larger internal display.

Software optimization for the foldable screen is another area of concern. While Apple's native apps transition smoothly between folded and unfolded states, many third-party applications are not adequately optimized, resulting in large black bars or small app windows on the expansive inner display. Wired's Julian Chokkattu noted "Thick, black bars on the sides, with a phone-sized app in the middle of this tablet-like display." Engadget's Sam Rutherford called the app optimization gap "the biggest growing pain you’ll face on Apple’s first foldable."

Multitasking capabilities are also limited, with Apple enforcing a fixed 50-50 split for side-by-side apps and not allowing a third floating window, a feature available on iPads. However, developers are reportedly adapting quickly, with the percentage of optimized apps increasing significantly during the device's testing period.

Despite being Apple's most expensive iPhone, the Duo does not feature its most powerful camera system. While the main and ultrawide cameras are generally well-received, their low-light performance is considered inferior to the iPhone 18 Pro. The 4-megapixel under-display camera has also been criticized for washed-out image quality. Gizmodo's Raymond Wong remarked on "more lens flares coming off streetlights and more smeared details."

However, the foldable design offers photographic advantages, such as using the rear cameras for selfies with the outer screen as a viewfinder. Battery life has been a mixed bag, with some reviewers finding it exceeds expectations. Tom's Guide reported the Duo lasted 13 hours and 20 minutes in a 5G web-browsing test, surpassing Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 but falling short of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Intensive use of the larger screen can drain the battery more rapidly.

Overall, reviews highlight differing perspectives on whether the foldable design justifies the compromises. While Tom's Guide called it the "best designed foldable yet," 9to5Mac concluded that a conventional iPhone remains a more practical option for most consumers. Apple has been contacted for comment regarding the early reports of cracked devices.