iPhone Duo Users Report 'Gapgate' Issue After 'Crackgate' Woes

Just days after its release, Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo is facing a new hardware concern dubbed 'Gapgate,' as early users report a visible gap between the device's back and hinge. This follows recent widespread reports of screen cracks, a phenomenon that had been termed 'Crackgate.'

The latest issue was highlighted by a Reddit user identified as @MICAPe9, who posted a video demonstrating the gap. In the footage, a torchlight reveals a clear separation between the back panel and the hinge mechanism when the device is tilted. The user, who purchased the phone on launch day, stated, "I just returned my iPhone Duo, I loved it, bit I will wait to second generation."

Following @MICAPe9's post, other iPhone Duo owners began inspecting their own devices. Many confirmed experiencing a similar gap. One user commented, "Mine does when I use a flash light. It looks ok without the light but… damn." Another user noted, "yea i can stick something thicker than paper inside its ever so slight but definitley big enough for crumbs ect to get inside. I assume this isnt how its supposed to be?" A significant number of prospective buyers expressed apprehension, with some considering canceling their orders. One user wrote, "I'm getting so stressed seeing all these problems. I'm spending nearly 4 grand on a phone, and I live hundreds of kms from the only two apple stores in my state if there is an issue. Maybe I'll just wait a year for the next one."

This new issue emerges after numerous customers shared experiences of their iPhone Duos developing cracks shortly after purchase. Reports described cracks running down the central crease of the inner display, accompanied by dead pixels and lines across the screen. Some users claimed these cracks appeared within hours of receiving the device, sometimes after only a few folds.

One user recounted hearing a "pop" after opening the phone "maybe 20 times tops" before discovering a shattered screen. Another experienced a similar audible crack along the hinge after fewer than 20 openings. A third user reported that their screen cracked after just four openings, attributing it to the hinge becoming tight before a "loud pop."

Apple has acknowledged the screen cracking issue, stating it affects "a small number" of iPhone Duos and has directed affected customers to contact the company for replacements. The company has not yet issued a statement regarding the 'Gapgate' issue, though inquiries have been made by The Daily Mail.