Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 4 hrs ago
iFixit gives Apple’s iPhone Duo its highest foldable repair score yet
iFixit gave Apple’s iPhone Duo 5 out of 10 for repairability, its highest score yet for a foldable phone.
The teardown found that the outer screen and batteries are relatively easy to remove, but repairs to the inner screen and hinge are difficult.
Dust reached the hinge and made it crunch, despite the phone’s IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
iFixit found less dust inside than in similar tests of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, but said dust could still affect moving parts.
The hinge may be linked to reports of cracked screens, as pressure could build up where parts of the hinge, display and cable meet.
The exact cause is not confirmed; iFixit said pressure, trapped particles, repeated folding or a manufacturing defect could be involved.
More investigation is needed to confirm why screens are failing, and Apple had not immediately responded to a request for comment.
iFixit gave Apple’s iPhone Duo a repairability score of 5 out of 10, the highest it has awarded to a foldable phone.
Its teardown found dust inside the hinge, which began to crunch, although less dust entered than in two other tested foldables.
iFixit proposed that pressure around the hinge could contribute to reports of cracked screens and audible cracking, but the causes remain unconfirmed.
The outer screen and battery cells were relatively easy to remove, while repairs to the main screen and hinge could be difficult, time-consuming and costly.
- Who
- iFixit examined Apple’s iPhone Duo.
- What
- The teardown assessed the foldable’s repairability and identified possible causes of reported screen and hinge failures.
- When
- October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- To examine the phone’s construction and repairability and investigate reports of damaged screens and hinges.
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- Repairability score
- 5 out of 10
- Dust test
- Dust reached the hinge and made it crunch
- Comparison
- Less glow dust entered than in the Pixel 11 Pro Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 8
- Possible screen cause
- Pressure from the display crease on the hinge’s central support bar
- Possible hinge cause
- A complex hinge part may not descend properly; a nearby cable could concentrate pressure
3 sources
What people are saying
For a first attempt, Apple has done well.
We hoped Apple would solve this problem, but sadly it seems like the Duo's got the same dirt-phobia as its folding cousins.