Samsung Taunts Apple Over Duo’s Cracked Displays After Store Alert

WHO:

MacRumors - Apple issued guidance to Apple Store and Apple Authorized Service Provider technicians about the iPhone Duo’s inner-display cracking issue.

MacRumors - Apple said: “We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units.”

MacRumors - Samsung’s Canadian Instagram account published an advertising campaign about the iPhone Duo’s display problems.

MacRumors - A Samsung spokesperson called it a “playful new campaign” addressing the “growing rivalry in foldables and how experience plays in the category.”

MJ Tsai - Juli Clover reported that users shared photos of iPhone Duo hinge issues and display cracks on Reddit and the MacRumors forums.

WHAT:

MacRumors - Apple instructed technicians to inspect affected iPhone Duo devices and repair or replace them under standard procedures.

MacRumors - Apple said most iPhone Duo units are not susceptible, and affected units appear to develop defects relatively soon after use.

MacRumors - Apple said there is no iPhone Duo recall and no public-facing repair program for the issue.

MacRumors - Samsung’s campaign used three images with the text: “Folding is nothing new to us,” “Folding. We know a thing or eight,” and “Switch to Galaxy Z Fold8.”

MacRumors - Early reports described cracks and bright lines on the inner OLED display, usually near the hinge; some reports showed lines toward the screen’s right side.

MacRumors - iFixit’s teardown suggested a defective hinge may be responsible; Apple had not commented on the underlying cause.

MacRumors - The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for 256GB; Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 costs $1,899 for 256GB.

MacRumors - The iPhone Duo was backordered until January for online orders, while in-store stock had appeared sporadically. Galaxy Z Fold8 models were available for delivery on November 3.

MacRumors - Apple said the response from early users was “incredibly positive” and developers were updating apps for the device’s form factor.

WHERE:

MacRumors - Samsung posted the campaign on its Canadian Instagram account.

MacRumors - Apple directed customers in the U.S. and Canada to AppleCare online or at 1-800-APL-CARE.

WHEN:

MacRumors - Apple’s memo was shared with stores and service providers and later obtained by MacRumors; the article says it was issued “this week.”

MacRumors - Samsung’s Galaxy foldable line began with a device released in September 2019.

MacRumors - The Galaxy Z Fold8 was introduced three months before the iPhone Duo debuted.

WHY:

MacRumors - Apple said affected customers should contact AppleCare for a replacement.

MacRumors - Samsung said its campaign drew on discussion of foldable-phone rivalry and the role of experience in the category.

HOW:

MacRumors - Apple’s guidance tells technicians to inspect devices and use standard repair or replacement procedures; customers with display problems can contact AppleCare or call 1-800-APL-CARE.

MJ Tsai - Reported faults were mostly along the hinge and commonly appeared as a line of bright pixels across one side of the display.

(UPDATED October 31, 2026 06:59 UTC)

Apple says a small number of iPhone Duo inner displays are cracking, often near hinges. Technicians should inspect affected phones and repair or replace them through standard procedures. Samsung is mocking the display troubles in a playful campaign promoting its Galaxy foldables.