The Korea Herald reported that two South Korean iPhone Duo owners encountered inner-screen failures soon after delivery, with replacement delays raising questions about service for Apple’s first foldable phone.
Lee Jeong-ho, a 30-year-old from Incheon, received the phone Oct. 29, and bright lines appeared on its inner display when he unfolded it Nov. 1, the newspaper reported. A TUVA service record reviewed by the Herald documented damage and authorized a free replacement without identifying its cause. Lee went to the service center Nov. 2. The Herald said a replacement was available, but Lee waited about five hours for Apple’s approval and collected the new phone Nov. 3.
The Herald also reported that Yoon, a woman in her 20s from Cheonan identified by surname, said she heard a sharp pop and noticed a bulge near the hinge after unfolding the phone outdoors Oct. 27. Her husband, Jeong, said service-center staff told them no official instructions had arrived, according to the newspaper. Yoon received a replacement Oct. 29, two days after their first visit, and the couple paid to replace the phone case and screen protector. Neither household received an explanation of what caused the display problem, the Herald reported. Apple did not explain the service delays or instructions to centers when contacted by the newspaper.
Apple told 9to5Mac on Oct. 26 that an issue affected a “small number” of iPhone Duo units and directed affected owners to AppleCare for replacements. The statement did not give a failure count or identify a cause. EconoTimes previously covered Apple’s AppleCare guidance for screen problems.
Apple’s Korean store lists the 256GB model at ₩3,290,000. Apple introduced the Duo as its first foldable iPhone and says it went on sale Oct. 23.
Repair specialist iFixit compared reported damage locations after using CT scans and a 3D hinge model. It placed the damage near the point where the flex-cable gap meets the hinge’s central support. iFixit suggested the support bar could create a stress point near the display, but Apple has not confirmed that explanation.
