Apple’s first foldable iPhone is facing fresh scrutiny after a teardown revealed a potentially serious hinge design issue that could explain why some iPhone Duo displays are cracking within hours of purchase.

Several owners have reported damage to the device’s inner folding screen, with cracks appearing in almost identical locations along the hinge.

Now, popular YouTuber Zack Nelson, from the JerryRigEverything channel, has identified a small internal component that could be responsible for the failures.

During his latest teardown, Nelson removed the iPhone Duo’s flexible display and discovered a hinge component positioned directly beneath the area where owners have reported cracks.

He nicknamed the component the “Pixel Pincher 9000”, suggesting it could be placing pressure on the delicate OLED panel from underneath.

Nelson believes a loose screw or damaged guiding component could allow part of the hinge mechanism to protrude into the back of the display.

Even a tiny amount of pressure could potentially damage the flexible screen as the device is repeatedly opened and closed.

However, the exact cause remains unconfirmed, and there is currently no definitive evidence that the suspected component is responsible for every reported failure.

The teardown also exposed another potential weakness in Apple’s foldable design.

Nelson demonstrated how dust and sand can enter the hinge mechanism and accumulate behind the flexible display, potentially damaging the screen over time.

However, he believes this is a separate issue from the cracking reported on brand-new iPhone Duo devices.

While dust contamination could cause damage in different areas of the screen, the reported cracking incidents have occurred in remarkably similar locations.

That consistency raises questions about whether a particular hinge component, rather than external debris or user handling, is responsible.

The findings could also mean that avoiding dusty environments would do little to prevent the specific display failures being reported.

Apple has acknowledged the cracking complaints but maintains that only a small number of devices have been affected.

The company has advised customers experiencing display problems to contact AppleCare to arrange a replacement.

However, Apple has yet to provide a detailed explanation of what is causing the damage or confirm whether a manufacturing or design defect is involved.

For now, Nelson’s teardown offers one of the clearest potential explanations for the failures, although further examination of damaged devices will be needed to establish the cause.

The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for Apple as it attempts to establish itself in the foldable smartphone market, where display durability remains one of the biggest concerns for consumers.

With the iPhone Duo representing Apple’s first major entry into the category, questions surrounding the reliability of its hinge and flexible display could become a significant challenge if further failures emerge.