Apple said the screen failure affected "a small number" of iPhone Duo, but expert Mark Gurman said the actual number could be up to thousands of devices.

The first generation of folding screen iPhones is facing a crisis due to screen cracking. Responding to CNBC at the end of October, Apple said a small number of phones were affected.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg expert Gurman said he had directly verified many cases and confirmed that the actual number was up to thousands, in which machines were damaged while being used completely normally.

According to PhoneArena, Apple advertises the iPhone Duo as having superior durability compared to competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold8. Based on feedback from users, screen cracking often has warning signs. Initially, the machine's hinge felt unusually squeaky and stiff when opened. Immediately after that, there was a slight cracking sound and cracks appeared along the middle edge and right side of the inner screen.

Gurman believes that a shipment of iPhone Duo may have shipped with defective hinge components. When the user folds it open, this part does not work properly, creating pressure on the screen from below.

Device repair site iFixit also made two hypotheses after disassembling the iPhone Duo components: the central support bar of the hinge does not completely lower when the device is folded and the curved guide rails are inserted upside down on the panel. Both cases create force on the screen from the inside, matching the actual crack location on the user's device.

Apple has now recorded the feedback and recommends that users experiencing problems contact AppleCare customer care directly for support in repair or exchange. The company said this policy applies to manufacturer errors and users do not have to purchase an additional AppleCare+ extended warranty package.

In addition to the problem of cracked screens, over the weekend, some users of Apple's folding phones continued to share images showing unusual gaps on the sides of the device or around the hinge area, even wide enough to see the internal components. According to PhoneArena, this assembly error named Gapgate by the community not only causes loss of IP68 water resistance but also creates additional mechanical pressure on the chassis, easily leading to the risk of screen damage.

Experts recommend that if users notice signs of unusual hardness or squeaking on the iPhone Duo's hinge, they should contact Apple immediately, instead of continuing to use it until the screen breaks. However, due to the scarce supply of iPhone Duo, the waiting time to receive a replacement device may be longer than expected.

Huy Duc summary