iPhone Duo Fails Durability Test After Launch

Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, has failed a popular durability test just a day after it went on sale. The test found dust jamming the hinge, a damaged inner screen and software problems with the new form factor.

The test was run by the JerryRigEverything channel, which has torture-tested foldable phones since the first generation. Its host, Zack Nelson, summed up the result in plain terms. “Most do survive,” he said. “The iPhone Duo did not.”

iPhone Duo: what the test found

The first problem came with dust. Despite its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, the iPhone Duo struggled when Nelson covered it in sand and dirt. The grit got into the hinge, and the magnets could no longer pull the phone shut. The phone stayed slightly open.

The bend test was worse. Bending the open phone backwards left a permanent green line across the inner display. A second attempt added more lines, and the inner screen then stopped responding to touch. The findings were reported by MacRumors.

The outer screen held up much better. It uses Ceramic Shield 2 and only showed faint marks at level 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. The flexible 7.6-inch inner screen, however, scratched at level 2. Its matte nano-texture coating hides most of these marks when the screen is on, but the marks are still there.

Nelson also warned that fixing the inner screen costs around $1,000. That is a steep repair bill for any buyer, and it raises the stakes for owners who use the phone without a case.

Software complaints add to the trouble

Early users are also sharing clips online that show apps struggling with the new form factor. One widely shared video shows a video app shrinking into a small window instead of filling the larger screen when the phone is unfolded.

That matters because the whole point of a foldable is the big inner screen. If apps do not fill it properly, buyers lose much of what they paid for.

Apple’s foldable is also its most expensive iPhone yet. In Pakistan, the phone carries a price tag of around Rs 15 lac, according to ProPakistani. Many veteran iPhone users had already pointed out that it does not fix the biggest problems with foldables, and the test results will add to that debate.

What it means for buyers in Pakistan

Pakistani buyers have good reason to watch this test closely. Feature Pakistan earlier covered the Mercantile iPhone Duo launch in Pakistan, and the start of iPhone Duo sales alongside Apple’s foldable launch. The phone is now on sale here, so local buyers face the same hinge and screen risks shown in the test.

A $1,000 screen repair would also sting more for buyers who already paid Rs 15 lac for the device. Buyers should keep the phone away from dust and sand, use a case made for the foldable design, and check warranty terms for screen damage before they buy.

At the same time, one test does not settle the question for every unit. Durability tests push phones far beyond normal daily use, and Apple may respond with software fixes for the app display problems. Still, the hinge result is hard to ignore, since dust got in despite the IP68 rating.

For readers weighing a foldable, our earlier report on Apple’s 20-inch foldable iPad plans shows where Apple may take the form factor next. Buyers comparing new phones can also read our report on the Samsung Galaxy M08 and F08 launch and specs. For now, the iPhone Duo looks like a first-generation product with first-generation risks.

What is the iPhone Duo?

It is Apple’s first foldable phone, with a small outer screen and a flexible 7.6-inch inner screen that opens like a book.

Why did the iPhone Duo fail the test?

Dust jammed the hinge so the phone stayed slightly open, and bending it backwards left permanent lines on the inner display until touch stopped working.

How much does an inner screen repair cost?

Around $1,000, according to the test host, Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything.

Should buyers in Pakistan wait?

Buyers should weigh the Rs 15 lac price, the dust and screen risks, and warranty terms before buying, since this is Apple’s first foldable.