Disillusioned Apple fans are reconsidering pre-orders for the iPhone Duo after a new design flaw, dubbed “Gapgate,” emerged, compounding earlier concerns. The issue involves gaps in the phone’s chassis that expose internal components and allow dust or debris to enter, potentially compromising its IP68 rating. Some users have already canceled pre-orders, with others indicating they may follow suit. The problem, likened to the earlier “Crackgate” controversy over inner display cracks, has sparked fears of unreliable hardware.
The iPhone Duo’s gaps, visible around the sides or hinge, vary in severity but are described as “wonky” and prone to future stress-related damage. A Reddit user noted that even minor gaps could lead to costly repairs, with one image showing a unit’s internal components visibly exposed. Apple has instructed store staff to repair or replace affected devices, but the issue has not prevented some customers from abandoning their pre-orders. “Honestly, I would be terrified of buying an iPhone Duo too,” a user wrote, echoing broader concerns.
Rising Concerns Over iPhone Duo Design Flaws
Gapgate has drawn comparisons to Crackgate, a prior issue where iPhone Duo displays cracked unexpectedly. Like Crackgate, reports of Gapgate began as isolated incidents before gaining traction. The flaw affects the phone’s structural integrity, with some units showing gaps large enough to let dust penetrate. Samsung addresses similar risks on its foldable phones with protective end caps, but Apple’s design appears to overlook this solution. A PhoneArena image highlighted an iPhone Duo with a visible gap, prompting questions about the company’s engineering priorities.
Users have reported checking their own devices after encountering Gapgate cases, with some finding similar issues. This pattern mirrors Crackgate’s spread, where initial reports led to widespread paranoia about display failures. The iPhone Duo’s $2,000 price tag amplifies the risk for buyers, with one user stating, “With such a price tag, the iPhone Duo is too much trouble to be worth it.”
Impact on Pre-Order Decisions
Apple fans who previously canceled pre-orders during Crackgate are now considering similar action. Some view Gapgate as a “last straw,” particularly given the phone’s high cost. The issue has also influenced purchasing decisions for protective cases, with OtterBox promoting its Defender Series Pro XT and Lumen Series cases as solutions. However, the underlying design flaw remains unaddressed, leaving users wary. A Reddit user noted that “every time an instance of Gapgate shows up, some users check their own iPhone Duo and find that they have some similar problem as well.”
While Apple has not commented publicly on Gapgate, its approach to Crackgate—advising staff to repair or replace faulty units if not deliberately destroyed—suggests a similar strategy. As one user put it, “If you have an iPhone Duo, I’ve probably made you paranoid now.”
Apple’s handling of these issues may test consumer confidence in the iPhone Duo, a device positioned as a flagship innovation.
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