5 Reasons Not to Buy the Apple iPhone Duo Just Yet

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, has been on sale for less than a week, but reports of cracked displays, software compatibility problems and expensive repair costs are already giving consumers reasons to reconsider spending at least RM9,499 on the device.

The iPhone Duo went on sale in Malaysia on 23 October 2026, introducing a 7.6-inch folding OLED display, a 5.4-inch outer screen and Apple’s A20 Pro processor.

Although the foldable design offers a larger display for multitasking and entertainment, early reports suggest that the first-generation device still has several shortcomings.

Apple has acknowledged an issue affecting the inner display of a small number of units. Independent reviews have also identified compromises involving application compatibility, cameras and everyday usability.

Here are five reasons why consumers may want to delay purchasing the iPhone Duo.

1. iPhone Duo Screens Are Already Cracking

One of the most serious problems reported since the iPhone Duo launched involves its internal folding display.

Several early buyers reported cracks appearing along the central hinge, sometimes after only a few hours or days of use. Some users described hearing a cracking or crunching sound when unfolding the phone, followed by bright horizontal or vertical lines appearing across the screen.

Bloomberg independently verified display failures involving more than half a dozen customers, including cases where users said their devices had not been dropped or subjected to unusual pressure.

Apple subsequently acknowledged that a small number of iPhone Duo units were affected and advised customers experiencing display problems to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

However, the company has not publicly confirmed the underlying cause of the failures or disclosed how many devices are affected.

Repair specialist iFixit has examined the device’s hinge design and identified a possible pressure point involving the central support mechanism. Its findings offer a potential explanation, but do not establish the cause of every reported failure.

While some customers have received immediate replacements from Apple Stores, others have reportedly faced delays because replacement stocks are limited.

This means an affected customer could be left without a working foldable display while waiting for another unit.

There is currently no reliable evidence that the problem affects a large proportion of devices. Nevertheless, the appearance of hardware failures so soon after launch is a consideration for consumers buying an expensive first-generation product.

2. Many Apps Are Not Yet Optimised for the Foldable Display

The iPhone Duo introduces a different screen format from conventional iPhones, requiring developers to adapt their applications to make effective use of its folding display.

Although existing iPhone applications can run on the Duo, not all of them take full advantage of its larger internal screen.

Some applications display thick black borders or unused space around their interfaces. Others retain layouts designed for conventional smartphones, reducing the benefit of having a larger display.

Reviewers have reported inconsistent experiences across third-party applications, while Apple’s own developer documentation explains how older applications are displayed in compatibility mode.

Applications built using older iOS software development kits may appear in a smaller window. Apps updated using the iOS 27.1 SDK can make better use of the Duo’s display area and layout.

The internal screen measures 7.6 inches and has a resolution of 1878 × 2670 pixels. The problem is therefore not a lack of display resolution, but whether applications have been adapted for its dimensions and interface.

Apple has already updated its applications, and third-party developers are releasing compatible versions. However, the experience will depend on the applications each customer uses.

For buyers expecting every application to work seamlessly across both screens from the first day, the software experience may still feel unfinished.

3. The iPhone Duo Is Too Expensive for Its Compromises

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s most expensive iPhone in Malaysia, with prices starting at RM9,499 for the 256GB model.

The 512GB version costs RM10,499, while the 1TB and 2TB models are priced at RM12,499 and RM15,499 respectively.

By comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at RM5,499, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at RM5,999.

This means the entry-level iPhone Duo costs RM4,000 more than the iPhone 18 Pro and RM3,500 more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, despite sharing the same 256GB base storage capacity.

The higher price primarily reflects the foldable display, hinge engineering and different form factor rather than a clear advantage in every area of performance or functionality.

Consumers are also paying substantially more for a device that has only recently entered the market, with limited long-term evidence of how its folding mechanism will perform under everyday conditions.

The large price difference becomes harder to justify for those who rarely need a tablet-sized display or who primarily use their smartphones for messaging, browsing, photography and video streaming.

4. The Camera System Is Less Capable Than the iPhone 18 Pro

Despite its higher price, the iPhone Duo does not offer Apple’s most advanced camera system.

It features a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide camera but lacks the dedicated telephoto lens found on the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Instead, the Duo relies on its main camera to provide 2x optical-quality zoom, with digital zoom available up to 10x.

The absence of a dedicated telephoto camera limits its versatility for longer-distance photography compared with Apple’s Pro models.

The Duo also lacks certain professional photography capabilities, including Apple ProRAW, offered by the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Another compromise is the absence of Face ID. Instead, Apple has equipped the device with Touch ID integrated into the side button.

The iPhone Duo remains capable of taking high-quality photographs, and its folding display offers useful photography features. However, consumers spending RM9,499 or more might reasonably expect the company’s most expensive smartphone to include its most complete camera system.

For photography-focused buyers, the less expensive iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max may offer better value.

5. Dust Can Enter the Hinge Despite Apple’s IP68 Rating

Apple advertises the iPhone Duo as having an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, but an independent durability test has shown that its folding hinge may still be vulnerable to dust and debris.

In a test published on 24 October 2026, YouTuber Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything found that dust entered the iPhone Duo’s hinge through several openings.

The accumulated particles interfered with the magnets used to keep the device closed, preventing the folding mechanism from operating normally. The device also suffered serious display damage during subsequent bending tests. Permanent green lines appeared across the internal screen before it eventually stopped responding.

However, Nelson could not establish whether the dust contributed to the display failure or whether the damage resulted from the hinge flexing under pressure.

Apple officially rates the iPhone Duo IP68 under the IEC 60529 standard, including protection against dust ingress and water immersion at depths of up to six metres for 30 minutes. The rating is based on controlled laboratory testing and does not mean the device is indestructible or completely protected against every form of dust exposure.

JerryRigEverything’s test involved aggressive conditions beyond typical everyday use and does not independently invalidate Apple’s IP68 certification. Nevertheless, the findings demonstrate that debris can enter the hinge and interfere with its operation under certain conditions.

This is particularly relevant for consumers who frequently use their smartphones outdoors, where exposure to dust, sand and other fine particles may be unavoidable.

Repair costs could also become a consideration if the internal display or folding mechanism is damaged outside warranty coverage.

According to Apple’s official Malaysian repair estimates, replacing the iPhone Duo’s internal display costs RM4,749, while repairs classified as other damage can cost RM7,119.

For a smartphone starting at RM9,499, the combination of a complex folding mechanism, potential debris exposure and expensive repairs adds uncertainty to long-term ownership.

With the iPhone Duo having been available for less than a week, there is insufficient evidence to determine how its hinge will withstand several years of ordinary use.

Why Waiting for a Later-Generation iPhone Duo May Make More Sense

The iPhone Duo’s early difficulties are not entirely unexpected for a new product category.

Samsung faced serious display problems with its first Galaxy Fold in 2019, when several review units suffered screen failures before the device reached customers.

Samsung postponed the Galaxy Fold’s launch in April 2019 to investigate the failures and introduce improvements to the display protection and hinge area.

The company subsequently refined its foldable smartphones through later generations, with changes to their designs, durability and software experience.

Apple now faces its own early challenges with the iPhone Duo, although the circumstances are different. Unlike Samsung’s original Galaxy Fold, which encountered problems before its commercial release, the Duo’s reported failures emerged after customers began receiving their devices.

For consumers who do not urgently need a foldable smartphone, waiting for future generations could be a more practical decision.

A potential iPhone Duo 3 or even a fifth-generation model could benefit from further improvements in hinge durability, internal display technology, application compatibility, cameras and battery efficiency.

However, Apple has not announced these future models or committed to specific hardware improvements.

Component costs are another factor worth monitoring. Research firm TrendForce has projected continued pressure on mobile DRAM prices into 2027, while NAND flash pricing could face downward pressure in the second half of that year.

Any easing in memory or storage costs could eventually improve smartphone manufacturing economics, although it would not necessarily translate into lower retail prices for future iPhone Duo models.

Waiting several generations would also give consumers more information about long-term reliability, repair expenses and whether foldable iPhones offer sufficient practical advantages over conventional smartphones.

The iPhone Duo remains an important addition to Apple’s smartphone range, offering capabilities unavailable on its conventional iPhones.

Nevertheless, with confirmed early display problems, inconsistent application optimisation, significant hardware compromises and repair costs approaching half the device’s starting price, there are reasonable grounds for consumers to postpone their purchase.

For those who prioritise reliability and value over owning Apple’s latest form factor, a later-generation iPhone Duo may be the more sensible choice.