iPhone Duo Problems: What r/iPhoneDuo Users Are Reporting

Quick summary: If you’re on the fence about an iPhone Duo, maybe don’t browse the r/iPhoneDuo subreddit, because it might scare you out of buying one. I went through what people are posting right on the main page. It’s not the rule, but it’s enough to cause concern.

Key takeaways

• Reported issues include lines down the inner screen, bumps near the crease, artifacting, a hinge bump, and an outer screen that stopped working.
• One user says Apple Store staff had seen the same screen-line problem.
• I don’t expect a recall. More likely, Apple will replace or refund affected phones.
• My own Duo has been excellent on the hardware side. My complaints are software, like the stuck keyboard and unoptimized apps.

What people are posting

• “Rest in peace, Duo”: a big line running down the left side of the inner display. It looks really bad. The poster says it will be replaced, and that store employees had seen another Duo with the same problem. Staff had thought the issue was overblown by TikTok and Reddit.
• Screen bumps: one user says a store technician in the UK told him bumps along his screen were normal and that he couldn’t get a replacement after spending $2,200. In the photo, his crease looks pretty good, but you can see a couple of bumps.
• Top-left artifacting: a newer post shows funky artifacting in the top-left corner of the screen. I haven’t had it and don’t know anyone who has, but the post got a lot of attention.
• Hinge bump after 10 days: I checked mine, and I can see a slight bump, but not as deep as his.
• Green line and a dead outer screen: another user reports a line across the screen, and someone else says their outer screen stopped working while the inner one still works.

Will Apple do a recall?

I don’t think so. I don’t believe it’s a huge number of people, and I don’t think it’s as bad as it looks online. I’d expect Apple to treat it as a first-generation product: if you have an issue, bring it in and they’ll replace it or refund you.

My iPhone Duo is fine

Mine has been very good. The crease still looks good, the hinge works perfectly, and the outside display works great. My only issues have been software: the keyboard not going away without a back button or gesture, and apps that aren’t optimized.

Have you had hardware issues with your Duo, or has yours been smooth? Let me know in the comments on the video.