Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has undergone a teardown by repair specialists at iFixit, revealing a complicated hinge mechanism that could be linked to recent reports of display damage.
The teardown also found that the iPhone Duo is relatively easy to repair compared with competing foldable smartphones, earning a repairability score of 5 out of 10.
For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 received a score of 4 out of 10, while the older Galaxy Z Fold7 scored 3 out of 10.
Easier Repairs Than Other Foldables
According to iFixit, several internal components of the iPhone Duo can be removed without dismantling most of the device.
The external display, for example, can be detached using a suction clamp and a prying tool. The process appears at approximately 4:20 in iFixit’s teardown video.
The phone also features two batteries that can be removed using Apple’s electrically assisted adhesive-release system, known as anodic delamination.
This method involves connecting a low-voltage power source, such as a 9V battery, to silver tabs on the battery cells. The electrical current releases the adhesive holding the batteries in place.
The battery removal process is demonstrated at around 5:50 in the teardown video.
How Apple Hides the Display Crease
The teardown also provides a closer look at the technology Apple uses to make the foldable display’s crease less noticeable.
At approximately 3:00 in the video, iFixit examines the inner screen’s matte nano-texture protective layer under a microscope.
The surface contains thousands of microscopic bumps that scatter reflected light, making the crease harder to see.
Apple also uses a modified arrangement of RGB subpixels inside the OLED panel. These subpixels sit at different angles to further reduce the visibility of the fold.
Together, these technologies help conceal the crease without removing the physical fold in the display.
Complicated Hinge Raises Concerns
Despite its relatively good repairability score, the iPhone Duo’s hinge mechanism has raised concerns following complaints from early buyers.
Several owners have reported that the hinge becomes unusually stiff while unfolding the device.
When users apply additional force, they reportedly hear a popping or cracking sound, followed by permanent damage to the inner screen.
The affected displays typically develop a vertical line through the center and a horizontal line extending toward the right side.
iFixit’s teardown reveals a complicated hinge design that could help explain the reported failures.
One possible explanation is that certain components inside the hinge are not moving downward correctly, causing the mechanism to become stuck.
Another potential cause is the accordion-like flexible cable running through the hinge, which could interfere with the folding mechanism.
However, neither explanation has been confirmed, and the exact cause of the reported display failures remains unknown.
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