iPhone Duo users with cracked and pixelated screens will get replacements, Apple said on Monday night, after a storm of negative publicity dubbed 'crackgate'.
The tech giant is yet to say what has caused an issue that threatened to mar the most expensive phone in its line-up.
“We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units,” the US technology company said in a statement, without disclosing what was causing the issue. “If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement."
Apple’s response comes days after customers complained of damaged screens on its newly launched iPhone Duo, with some early buyers reporting cracks and display failures only hours after using the device.
Images shared on Reddit appear to show damage concentrated around the hinge of the device’s inner display, with vertical cracks running down the centre and bright lines extending across the right side of the screen.
Some affected devices also reportedly had dead pixels, raising concerns about the durability of the foldable display, which is one of the Duo’s biggest selling points.
Apple began shipping the phone last week amid strong demand, with initial online orders selling out within minutes and customers queuing at shops worldwide.
But reports of damaged screens began to emerge at the weekend, with social media users sharing images of cracks and bright lines appearing on the device's inner display, particularly where the phone folds.
The complaints added to the challenges Apple faces as it enters a foldable smartphone market already occupied by Samsung and Google, both of which have several years' experience developing devices with flexible displays. The Duo's prices in the UAE range from Dh8,499 to Dh13,599 ($2,314 to $3,702), and there are extended shipping times due to overwhelming demand.
