Apple’s new foldable iPhone Duo is facing complaints over cracked inner displays, raising questions about its hinge design, which the company says was developed using artificial intelligence algorithms.
The premium device, priced at more than $2,000, has reportedly developed screen cracks along the folding mechanism, with some customers reporting damage within hours of unboxing. The issue has drawn attention to Apple’s manufacturing process and its use of AI in engineering the hinge.
During an event last month, Apple chief hardware officer Johny Srouji explained that AI algorithms were used during manufacturing to match individual hinges with their corresponding housings to ensure precise alignment. The company also uses confocal laser scanning to examine the surface of each unit and applies up to 25 microscopic layers of a customised photopolymer to address surface irregularities.
However, the term AI can encompass a wide range of technologies, from conventional machine-learning algorithms to generative AI systems. The report notes that the algorithms described by Apple may be specialised industrial tools rather than the large language models commonly associated with contemporary AI.
The reported screen failures have also raised questions about the mechanical design itself. Shahram Mokhtari, lead teardown technician at iFixit, told The Verge that part of the device’s delicate inner display appeared to press against the hinge. A central support bar designed to accommodate the folding mechanism may not be retracting sufficiently, potentially placing stress on the screen.
Apple acknowledged an issue on Monday and said it was replacing damaged devices, according to the report.
The situation presents a challenge for Apple as it introduces a new product category at a premium price point. Although AI-assisted manufacturing can help improve precision and consistency, the reported failures highlight the importance of mechanical reliability and quality control in complex hardware.
The extent of the problem remains unclear, including how many devices have been affected. Further information on the cause of the failures and any changes to the manufacturing process has not been provided in the report.
Source: Futurism
