Apple's first foldable phone, the "iPhone Duo," failed to fold completely due to sand in a durability test and suffered damage to its internal screen in a reverse bending test. In contrast, the Samsung Electronics Galaxy Z Fold 8 functioned normally in tests of the same type, highlighting a stark difference.
According to IT industry sources on the 24th, the popular overseas IT YouTube channel "JerryRigEverything" recently released a video testing the durability of the iPhone Duo. The channel is known for verifying smartphone durability by scratching them or applying strong force.
When the YouTuber sprinkled sand and dust on the iPhone Duo, the device failed to close completely. It is estimated that foreign objects entered the hinge (joint), interfering with the folding motion. This result was somewhat unexpected, given that the iPhone Duo is a product equipped with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
In the subsequent reverse bending test, the internal display was damaged. When the YouTuber bent the iPhone Duo in the opposite direction of its normal folding path, green lines appeared on the screen. As more force was applied, the lines on the screen increased, and eventually the entire internal screen stopped responding to touch.
In contrast, the Samsung Electronics Galaxy Z Fold 8 showed different results in the same type of test conducted earlier. When the YouTuber bent the device in the opposite direction with both hands, the body bent and the rear panel temporarily lifted, but the internal screen functioned normally. Unlike the iPhone Duo, there was no instance of the screen becoming unresponsive.
JerryRigEverything pointed out that "this kind of problem has never occurred with Samsung foldable phones." He assessed that, based on durability tests of various foldable phones over the past seven years, Samsung products have generally demonstrated the best durability. In contrast, the iPhone Duo revealed its durability limits in this test.
The device also showed vulnerability to screen scratches. In the Mohs hardness test, faint scratches appeared on the external screen starting from level 7, while marks appeared on the internal screen starting from level 2. However, thanks to the matte coating, the scratches were relatively less visible when the screen was turned on.
The estimated repair cost for the iPhone Duo, excluding warranty coverage as disclosed by Apple, is 1,649,000 won for an internal display replacement, which accounts for approximately 50% of the base model's retail price. If classified as other damage, the estimated repair cost rises to 2,469,000 won. Following reports of suspected defects in some units from the first day of launch, the confirmation of vulnerabilities in this durability test has heightened questions about the quality of the iPhone Duo.
in TECH
