Why some iPhone apps don't appear in Apple CarPlay

Apple's inaugural foldable smartphone, the $1,999 iPhone Duo, faced early challenges as some customers reported cracking screens within hours of unboxing. Reports emerged that the inner 7.6-inch display was cracking along the hinge, sometimes immediately upon unboxing. Apple acknowledged the issue and directed affected customers to AppleCare for replacements.

The concern casts a shadow over the phone's promising launch, as preorders sold out within minutes and reviews were initially positive. Apple's shares dipped in response to the news, with the broader tech sector also experiencing a slight downturn.

Photos shared on Reddit and MacRumors forums showed the inner display splitting down the center line of the hinge, sometimes accompanied by a horizontal band of white pixels. Tom's Guide reported incidents of a bright white line appearing on the right-hand side. One Australian user claimed his phone cracked after just six hours and fewer than 20 openings, while Notebookcheck cited that account and reported an audible crack preceding the damage.

The severity of the problem remains uncertain, with Bloomberg citing multiple complaints and 9to5Mac reporting around ten unique cases.

iFixit provided insights into the cause of the issue by examining the device's construction. They discovered that the failure often occurred just below the point where the display cable passes under the screen near a central support bar. This area may be under undue pressure as the phone closes, causing damage to the display. Other potential causes mentioned include trapped particles, repeated bending, and manufacturing defects. iFixit warned that even a small manufacturing variance or particle can damage the delicate display panel.

In their dust test, fine particles infiltrated the hinge mechanism and caused it to malfunction, despite the phone's IP68 rating. While iFixit awarded the Duo a high repairability score of 5 out of 10, the issue with the folding hinge remains a concern.

Apple's response to the reports was cautiously positive, emphasizing the favorable reception of early users and the rapid updates from developers. The company stated that the issue mainly affects a small number of units and that affected customers should contact AppleCare for a replacement. Apple hasn't disclosed the cause of the cracking or any potential fixes and hasn't announced a recall.

While the warranty covers inner-screen repairs for the first year, the cost of $999 is significantly higher than comparable repairs for other foldable devices, highlighting the unique challenges faced by Apple in this new market.