Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo Faces Buyer Returns Amid Screen Issues

Owners of Apple's new £2,000 foldable iPhone Duo are returning the devices just days after purchase, citing a range of issues including screen cracks, dead pixels, and usability problems. Reports on Reddit indicate that even users unaffected by the so-called 'crackgate' defect are finding the device not to their liking.

Some buyers have expressed disappointment with the external screen, finding it too small for practical use, which makes quick tasks a "hassle." Unfolding the device for a better experience, however, is described as feeling too immersive for casual use. The lack of Face ID and the placement of the Touch ID button on the power button have also been cited as frustrating points, leading some users to revert to older iPhone models.

One user, @amirsadeghi, noted that while the large inner screen was enjoyable, the smaller outer screen was "too small to be useful." This user found that completing simple tasks like checking social media was inconvenient when the phone was folded. The need to hunt for the power button to use Touch ID, depending on how the phone was opened, also caused significant frustration.

Another user, @peekapoutine, returned their iPhone Duo within 24 hours, echoing concerns about the small front screen and Touch ID. Additional criticisms included the matte finish on the inner display, which was found to be less vibrant than standard iPhone screens, and the camera quality, which was deemed inferior to the Pro Max models. Taking selfies with the main cameras was also described as inconvenient, requiring the phone to be fully opened.

@TechnologicalHuman pointed to the lack of optimized apps as a major drawback. The user expressed dissatisfaction with apps that only utilized a portion of the large inner screen, stating, "I don't wanna wait months until all apps are optimized. The unoptimized 4inch apps are simply too much to handle."

These usability complaints come on the heels of "crackgate," where numerous customers have reported significant cracks appearing on the inner display, often along the central crease, within hours or days of purchase. Some users described hearing an audible pop or feeling stiffness before the screen fractured. These incidents have led to lines of dead pixels and chipped areas on the screen.

Apple has acknowledged an issue affecting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duos and is advising affected customers to contact the company for replacements. The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR folding display and a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer display, with prices ranging from £1,999 to £3,199.