Users return devices due to multitasking habits and hardware faults
Apple launched the folding device in September as its largest hardware redesign since the original model, pairing an external screen with an unfolding internal display designed to merge smartphone and tablet functions. Some buyers found that daily interactions on the folding screen interrupted background media, prompting returns from users who preferred keeping a separate iPad on a kitchen counter while leaving a standard phone in their pocket, according to Appliště.
Beyond usage habits, hardware durability emerged as a central challenge following reports of cracking internal screens on social media. MobilMania.cz reported that the defect stems from a faulty hinge material supplied by one of two primary component partners, affecting only a very small number of units rather than an entire production run.
Why does the iPhone Duo break like that? @lumafield @WIRED pic.twitter.com/wO6PNMhqsV
Apple can identify potentially affected units using device serial numbers, though the company has not published failure statistics or confirmed whether it will launch a public verification portal, MobilMania.cz noted. Meanwhile, holiday buyers purchasing the device face an extended return window allowing full refunds until January 8, offering extra time to test the folding format across home, pocket, and travel scenarios.
Technical specifications and hardware performance of the titanium device
Reviewers testing the titanium-framed device noted its performance from the A20 Pro chip and a crease-free unfolding screen, Chip.cz reported, which lists the technical configuration with a 5.4-inch external OLED display at 2,034 x 1,398 pixels and a 7.6-inch internal OLED screen at 2,670 x 1,878 pixels, both supporting 120 Hz, alongside 12 GB of RAM, a 4,883 mAh battery, 60W wired charging, 25W wireless charging, Wi-Fi 7, and 48+48 MP and 12 MP cameras.
The device weighs 254 grams—53 grams heavier than a competing foldable and five grams more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max—making the weight immediately noticeable when picked up, Refresher.cz reported. Navigation elements also shifted entirely to the right side of the modified operating system interface, placing docks, app bars, and battery indicators within thumb reach on the right flank.
Reviewers praised the matte nano-foil coating on the internal screen for eliminating glare under direct sunlight, though they observed that the device lacks Face ID in favor of a power-button fingerprint scanner.
Why users return the iPhone Duo and cause of screen cracks
Why are some early buyers returning the iPhone Duo?
Some users found that merging a phone and tablet into one folding screen disrupted their multitasking habits, such as watching videos on a stationary tablet while using a separate phone for quick messages, Appliště reported.
What causes the reported internal screen cracks?
Reporting from MobilMania.cz indicates that defective hinge material from one of the device’s primary suppliers causes the internal display damage on a very small number of units.
How does the folding display perform in bright sunlight?
The internal screen features a matte nano-foil coating that eliminates light reflections, making web pages and electronic books clearly visible outdoors, according to Chip.cz.
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