YouTuber Investigates iPhone Duo and Uncovers Possible Cause of ‘Crackgate’

Social media and the iPhone Duo subreddit are buzzing with reports of the device’s foldable design failing dramatically. Users have shared experiences of their phones breaking within just a few hours of use, with the hinge seemingly catching on something, leading to an audible crack and a shattered screen. Notably, these cracks appear to occur in the same spot consistently.

YouTuber CuriousHagi conducted durability tests on the iPhone Duo and managed to replicate the cracked screen issue. In his investigation, he disassembled the device to identify the problem. He discovered that the Duo’s hinge mechanism is quite intricate, featuring a gear-like central hinge along with two distinct types of linking hinges.

The component that failed is one of the middle links, which is thinner than the links positioned above and below it. This link broke at a small notch, the point of least strength. Additionally, he observed marks where the hinge connected to the support plate, suggesting it may have snagged during use.