Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, has failed a popular durability test just one day after going on sale, with dust affecting its hinge and bending causing damage to its inner display.
The test was conducted by JerryRigEverything, a YouTube channel known for putting smartphones through scratch, dust and bending tests. The channel has tested foldable phones since their early generations, noting that most have survived its tests.
Video: JerryRigEverything’s iPhone Duo durability test
Dust Jams the Hinge
Despite carrying an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, the iPhone Duo struggled when tester Zack Nelson exposed it to sand and dirt.
Particles entered the hinge mechanism, preventing the magnets from pulling the phone completely shut. The device remained slightly open after the test.
The phone suffered more serious damage during the bending test. Applying backward pressure while the device was unfolded left a permanent green line across the inner display.
A second attempt caused additional lines to appear, after which the inner screen stopped responding to touch, according to MacRumors.
Inner Screen Scratches at Level 2
The iPhone Duo’s outer display, protected by Ceramic Shield 2, performed better. It showed only faint marks at level 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.
The flexible 7.6-inch inner screen was much more vulnerable, developing scratches at level 2. Its matte nano-texture coating makes many of these marks less visible while the display is switched on.
Nelson also highlighted the high cost of repairs, warning that replacing the inner display can cost around $1,000.
Video: An early software issue reported by an iPhone Duo user
Early Users Report Software Problems
Concerns about the iPhone Duo are not limited to durability. Videos shared online have also highlighted software issues with apps adapting to the unfolded display.
One widely circulated clip shows a video app remaining in a small window rather than expanding to fill the larger screen.
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s most expensive iPhone to date, with a price tag that puts it beyond the cost of many used cars in Pakistan. Its durability problems could add to concerns about whether the first-generation foldable delivers enough reliability to justify its premium price.
