iPhone Duo hinge issue down to bad parts, not bad design
The spate of iPhone Duo screen issues has allegedly been traced to a material problem at a hinge component supplier, rather than there being a design flaw with the hinge itself. A sheared-off part of an iPhone Duo hinge mechanism - Image Credit: CuriousHagi/YouTube Apple put a lot of work into designing the ideal hinge for the iPhone Duo, only to deal with reports of the hinge repeatedly failing…
Reports suggest the recurring problems with iPhone Duo hinges are due to faulty material components, not flaws in the hinge's design. Apple invested heavily in perfecting the hinge for its innovative device, yet encountered repeated failures at a specific spot. According to Chinese leaker Kang, the issue stems from the materials used in a specific hinge component, sourced from two suppliers.
Identifying affected units through serial numbers may enable Apple to take corrective actions. However, it remains undetermined if Apple will recall devices or offer replacements. The discovery of this component failure in a flagship Apple product launch is regrettable, but identifying the issue early is beneficial for the company.
Initial breakdowns and social media reports indicated screen failures at the hinge's center crease. Further examination revealed a plate component responsible for supporting the foldable OLED display during folding and unfolding processes had completely broken, causing the damage. Fine M-Tec, Apple's hinge component supplier, issued a denial of responsibility, stating the issue wasn't caused by defective components and threatening legal action against unsupported complaints.
Apple acknowledged the social media reports on October 26, advising users to contact AppleCare for replacements.
Written by urgent.news from AppleInsider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
