The premium foldable phone sold out at iStore on launch day, even as concerns about screen durability raise questions about its long-term appeal.
By Faizel Patel at The Citizen
Apple’s premium iPhone Duo has sold out at iStore, even as questions emerge about the durability of its foldable display.
The 256GB model costs R48 000, while the 2TB version sells for R77 000.
These are the cash prices for Apple’s new foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, which is now available in South Africa.
Despite the steep price tag, iStore told The Citizen that the device had sold out.
Apple launched its first foldable smartphone in September, marking the biggest change in the iPhone’s nearly 20-year history.
Apple enters the foldable phone market
The Duo puts Apple in direct competition with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, unveiled in August.
Apple says the Duo redefines the foldable experience, with the largest display ever on an iPhone.
Made from titanium, it features a centre hinge designed to help the device lie flat and control its opening and closing. When unfolded, Apple claims it is the thinnest iPhone ever.
However, the premium device comes with compromises, including the absence of Face ID. Instead, it uses a fingerprint sensor.
iStore reports strong demand
Speaking at the launch of the iPhone Duo, iStore chief commercial officer Linda van der Nest told The Citizen that demand had exceeded expectations.
Describing the response as “unreal”, she said the retailer was “fully sold out already on launch morning”.
Van der Nest said iStore does not view the Duo as directly comparable to rival foldable devices, arguing that Apple’s integration of hardware and software creates a different user experience.
“You actually physically can’t compare it to any other foldable out there because the experience is completely different,” she said.
What does the iPhone Duo cost?
On the device’s premium price tag, Van der Nest said affordability depends on individual consumer needs. She pointed to financing, contract and trade-in options as ways to lower the cost of ownership.
She also highlighted the wider range of iPhones available, from current models to pre-owned devices.
Durability concerns emerge
Meanwhile, Android Authority has reported concerns about the iPhone Duo’s durability following reports of early screen failures and independent testing.
A durability test by JerryRigEverything found that the phone’s inner foldable display was easily scratched and developed permanent green lines during a bend test, eventually becoming unresponsive.
A separate teardown by iFixit examined reports from users who experienced display problems shortly after purchase.
Questions about the hinge
The analysis suggested that the issue could be linked to stress around the hinge mechanism and the area where the display bends, although no definitive cause has been confirmed.
Both tests also identified dust and debris as potential concerns, as particles could interfere with the hinge’s operation.
Despite these findings, iFixit gave the iPhone Duo a provisional repairability score of five out of 10, describing it as one of the more repairable foldable devices currently available.
How much could a screen repair cost?
Replacing the inner display reportedly costs about $999 (approximately R16 592, based on the US pricing cited in the original report) without coverage.
It is still too early to determine whether the reported incidents point to a widespread design flaw or isolated cases. Longer-term use will be needed to assess the device’s durability.
This article was republished from The Citizen. Read the original here.
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