Insider Reveals the Real Reason the iPhone Duo’s Screen Is Cracking
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — A Foxconn employee has revealed the suspected cause of cracking on the screen of Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo. The problem is alleged to have arisen because Apple rushed the device to market and lowered its quality-control standards to meet production targets.
According to PhoneArena on Friday (30 October 2026), the unnamed Foxconn employee claimed Apple did not wait for the iPhone Duo to meet its expected quality standards before putting it on sale.
The report comes after several users said their iPhone Duo units broke after just a few hours of use. The issue has been widely dubbed “Crackgate” online.
The damage is suspected to originate in a component beneath the inner foldable screen, specifically around the hinge. The component is reportedly able to shift during normal use and press against the screen, causing it to crack when the user opens or folds the device.
The cracks run vertically from the top to the bottom of the screen’s centre. Some units have also reportedly developed dead or stuck pixels. In certain cases, the screen has become unresponsive to touch or gone completely dark.
According to the Foxconn employee, Apple is alleged to have lowered its quality-control standards to ensure a larger supply of iPhone Duo units would be available at launch.
Production yields were said to remain disappointing as October approached. Apple had already decided to launch the iPhone Duo after releasing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
This situation is suspected of prompting the company to ease quality inspections so it could meet its target for market availability.
The iPhone Duo’s problems are not confined to its screen. Some users have also reported apps failing to open properly, while several units make a creaking sound when folded or unfolded.
Even Apple’s built-in apps, which have been optimised for the device, are reportedly experiencing glitches and bugs. Some user-interface elements suddenly stop responding, while the sidebar placement on the outer screen has been described as less than optimal.
The various problems suggest Apple rushed into the foldable-phone market. The Cupertino-based tech giant is said to want to bring an iOS-based rival to market quickly to challenge the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Huawei Pura X Max and Xiaomi 18 Fold this year.
PhoneArena said Apple should have delayed the launch until its foldable-screen technology was more mature, it had a better under-display camera, or it had a genuinely adequate supply of products.
The report also said that shipments of initial iPhone Duo pre-orders have been pushed back until next year. Meanwhile, in-store stock on launch day was considered insufficient to meet the strong demand from customers buying in person.
Apple’s response
Apple has not responded to the Foxconn employee’s comments about the cause of the cracked iPhone Duo screens. However, the company recently confirmed a problem affecting a small number of units and urged affected users to request a replacement.
“Initial customer response to iPhone Duo has been very positive. We’re also seeing enthusiasm from developers, who are quickly updating their apps to make the most of this unique form factor,” Apple said in an official statement to 9to5Mac.
“We’re aware of an issue affecting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If customers experience an issue with their device’s display, we recommend contacting AppleCare directly to receive a replacement,” the Cupertino-based technology giant added.
Apple stressed that the issue affects only a handful of units and that symptoms appear relatively soon after use. Most devices are said to be unaffected.
Users do not need to have additional AppleCare+ cover to claim a replacement. Customers who bought their devices through a mobile carrier are asked to make their claim directly with AppleCare rather than through the carrier.
Reports of the cracked screens first surfaced on Reddit and online forums over the weekend. Users posted photos of cracks appearing directly along the centre of the hinge area. However, alongside genuine reports from real users, some fabricated posts generated using artificial intelligence have also circulated.
Meanwhile, the iFixit team suspects the problem is caused by a particular internal component exerting excessive pressure on the screen panel when the device is folded.