Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has suffered multiple display-related issues since its launch in its first week! Recently, a worker from Foxconn, the main assembler, revealed online that Apple had lowered quality inspection standards to guarantee first-week supply. This incident shot to the top of Weibo trending topics, forcing Apple to issue an urgent response and offer a free replacement service. To ensure supply, did Apple lower inspection standards? Since its official release on October 23, social media has been flooded with reports of the iPhone Duo experiencing cracked displays and screen lines at the hinge. According to China-based media, a worker involved in the production process disclosed that the large-scale fault was consistent with expert disassembly reports suggesting hinge assembly tolerances. The claim that "Apple lowered quality inspection standards to ensure supply" quickly soared to the top of the Weibo trending list, sparking strong scrutiny of the highly priced "phione king" from netizens. A source close to Apple's supplier chain refuted the allegations, stating that Apple never lowered any quality inspection standards. FineMtech, a South Korean hinge supplier, also issued a formal statement condemning the unfounded claims, emphasizing the absence of quality issues in its components and threatening legal action against any false statements. In response to the growing controversy, Apple officially stated that the iPhone Duo has received a warm response from its first users, and a few screen issues have been reported. The company provided a clear solution: customers can contact AppleCare for a new device if they encounter display problems. Apple reassures that the defect typically emerges in the "early stages of use" rather than "after prolonged use," urging users not to panic. The internal Foxconn source added that existing assembly tolerance issues for the iPhone Duo production line have been addressed by replacing faulty materials, with production and stock strategies remaining unaffected by the controversy. A source indicates that Apple still plans to produce approximately 7.5 million units of the folded device by 2026.
Apple has faced backlash over the quality of its debut foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, as reports of significant issues emerged in its first week on the market. The main assembler, Foxconn, is implicated in reports that Apple relaxed quality inspection standards to meet first-week demand. This revelation quickly escalated online, with social media discussions focusing on Apple's commitment to quality in its new flagship product. Apple, facing scrutiny, has promised to replace any units with display-related issues free of charge and emphasized that the defects are more likely to manifest early in use rather than after prolonged use. However, Apple's supplier chain is divided on the matter, with some sources contradicting reported claims of quality compromises. Apple's move to address customer concerns comes as production is reportedly transitioning to new materials to mitigate the reported assembly issues.