iFixit has completed a detailed teardown of Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, revealing a repairability score of 5 out of 10—the highest ever for a foldable device. The analysis highlights the intricate hinge mechanism featuring gears, springs, and a waterdrop design that allows the display to bend without sharp folds. Apple uses curved guides to reduce stress on the display during opening and closing.
However, the teardown identifies possible causes for early screen failures reported by users. These failures often occur near the transition between the cable connecting the device halves and the central hinge support. iFixit suggests a central support bar may not retract properly, placing excessive pressure on the display. Additionally, curved rails guiding hinge movement could interfere with the screen if they fail to move as intended.
The convergence of structural edges in this area may also concentrate stress on delicate display layers. While iFixit did not definitively establish the root cause, the similarities between reported damage and the hinge's internal geometry provide promising leads for further investigation. The study also examines the matte nano-texture display, finding tiny rounded bumps that diffuse reflections to disguise the crease.
Source: 9to5Mac · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing