iPhone Duo Survives 450,000 Folds, but Hinge is Weakening

CNET has been conducting stress tests on the iPhone Duo's hinge for three weeks, reaching over 451,000 folds. The hinge began feeling looser at the 390,000-fold mark, and by 440,300 folds, there was a noticeable shift in the mechanism. The screen was opening partially before closing, with a gap of 5 to 10 degrees from the fully open position.

The device can still be opened manually at this point. At around 440,300 folds, the screen no longer had time to fully open before closing again. The iPhone Duo remains operational, with no signs of cracking or other failure, and it still functions normally in other screen positions. The device is still part of the folding machine, and the test continues.

CNET will keep folding the iPhone Duo until it reaches predetermined failure conditions, such as loss of power, sensor issues, or screen blackout. Apple has not disclosed the results of their internal hinge testing or provided an estimated fold lifespan for the device. The iPhone Duo utilizes OLED panels from Samsung Display, which have undergone certified third-party fold testing.

Samsung's screens have passed a 500,000-fold durability test, suggesting the iPhone Duo's OLED panel may also match this durability. The combination of the display and hinge design will ultimately determine the phone's lifespan. At around 450,000 folds, the iPhone Duo would last over a decade with 100 folds per day. CNET's livestream will continue until the iPhone Duo fails, with updates running weekday mornings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific Time.