Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Faces Crack Controversy Right After Launch

1. Screen Damage Right After Launch: What Happened?
Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, with a starting price of 3.29 million won, has been embroiled in screen damage controversies immediately upon its release. Photos and videos have been continuously uploaded to social media by consumers complaining that cracks appeared on the screen before they even arrived home after purchasing a new product, as well as cases where the display broke after being folded and unfolded fewer than 20 times. There is a particularly notable point: the locations and shapes of the cracks are generally similar. Cracks started mostly in the exact middle of the screen, right at the folding part. As the controversy surrounding the so-called "crack gate" grew, Apple ultimately acknowledged defects in some products and decided on free replacements just three days after launch. This is a fairly unusual response for Apple, which has emphasized flawless craftsmanship. However, a question arises. Samsung Electronics first launched a foldable phone back in 2019. Apple released its first foldable phone 7 years later than that, so why did this problem occur right upon launch? First, it is necessary to examine the structure of foldable phones. Foldable phones have a structure where the display itself folds and unfolds. Moreover, the screen must operate normally even after being folded and unfolded hundreds of thousands of times, not just once or twice. That is why foldable phone manufacturers conduct durability tests of folding and unfolding more than 500,000 times.

2. The Importance of the "Hinge"
It is not simply a matter of making the display bend well. What is important here is the "hinge." It is a type of hinge that allows the phone to be folded and unfolded, connecting the two parts of the screen while intricately controlling the folding movement of the display. In particular, various components such as metal plates supporting the screen are included right beneath the display. These components must move precisely along with the display. However, another problem arises here: a crease remains right in the middle of the screen. Those who have used foldable phones will know this. It is a phenomenon where the folded part in the middle looks like a crease when the screen is unfolded. Eliminating or minimizing this has been a long-standing technological challenge for foldable phone manufacturers. Apple was no exception, and experts explain that, especially because it released its first foldable phone late, Apple put considerable effort into minimizing screen creases. The problem is that making the screen look flat and folding it safely for a long time must be solved simultaneously. Changing the structure of the folding part requires considering the components supporting the display, the movement of the hinge, and even the gaps between components together. Because multiple connected components must intricately interlock, the design and manufacturing processes become that much more demanding.

3. What Is Wrong with the iPhone?
Then, what kind of problems actually occurred in this iPhone Duo? First is the possibility of a defect in the parts themselves, second is a problem during the component assembly process, and lastly, the possibility of a problem in Apple's own design.

[Kim Hyun-jae / Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Yonsei University: Since Apple designed the overall phone design and component assembly, I think there is a possibility that some mistakes were made when Apple designed it.]

Here, a design problem means there is also a possibility that problems occurred in the structure of the components supporting the display or the hinge, or the way the components interlock. The display panels for this iPhone Duo are known to be supplied by Samsung Display. Even when using panels from the same display manufacturer, the structure of the completed phone and the hinge design differ for each phone manufacturer. This is why it cannot be concluded that the display panel itself is defective just because the screen broke. Another possibility exists: the possibility that a problem occurred during the assembly process. In foldable phones, the hinge and the components supporting the screen must be assembled in exact positions. If the positions of the components are slightly misaligned or out of the allowed tolerance range, unexpected force may be applied to some parts during the process of folding and unfolding the product.

[Hong Yong-taek / Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University: That could be the case. But if it were a design problem, a lot of cases would come out, and I don't know. Since I haven't checked it myself, looking at what's been reported in articles or announced, there are only a few, so I suppose quality control during actual manufacturing might not have been properly done, allowing defective items to slip through without being filtered out.]

If it is a problem with some products generated during the assembly process, there is room to respond by improving the production process and quality inspection. On the other hand, if it is a design problem itself, the structure or design of the components may need to be re-examined. Of course, it cannot be concluded which side is the cause at this point.

4. Apple Bows Down, Acknowledging "Product Defects and Free Replacements"—Why?
Shortly after the defect controversy arose, Apple acknowledged the problems in some products and decided on free replacements. Why did it rush like this? It is also necessary to consider the situation of the foldable phone market in which Apple is placed here. Apple has entered the foldable phone market for the first time this time. In a situation where it needs to catch up with competitors already established in the market, quality controversies have emerged right from its first product. There were already consumer complaints about having to wait a long time to receive products due to initial stock shortages, and if distrust in product durability grows further, consumers might hesitate to purchase or cancel their orders.

[Hong Yong-taek / Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University: Apple, having entered the foldable market somewhat late, would presumably want to secure a significant portion of it. If users who tried it first keep talking about defects while it currently takes some time for orders to reach consumers as rumored, things won't proceed as originally intended. So I think a quick apology, swift product replacement, and internally strengthening product quality control might be the purpose.]

In fact, as the iPhone Duo suffered a shortage phenomenon right after its launch, listings with a premium of over 500,000 won even appeared on secondhand trading platforms. After the screen damage controversy, listings priced lower than the regular price are also appearing one by one.

5. Is the "Defect Controversy" Bad News Only for Apple?
Then, is this controversy bad news only for Apple? The foldable displays equipped in the iPhone Duo are supplied by Samsung Display. If Apple's foldable phone sales increase, Samsung Display's panel supply could also increase, and from the industry's perspective, if new display orders increase due to rising free replacements, that in itself is not bad. Conversely, if this quality controversy prolongs and consumer distrust in foldable phones themselves grows, it could become an obstacle to market expansion. Apple founder Steve Jobs once said that a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers would not use cheap plywood for the invisible back. He emphasized the product philosophy that even invisible parts must be flawless. For foldable phones, the intricate movement of numerous hidden components and hinges beneath the screen is important. Attention is focused on how Apple will overcome this quality controversy encountered right from its first product.

(Reported by Hong Yeongjae, Produced by Shin Hee-suk, Video Reporting by Choi Dae-woong, Video Editing by Seo Byeong-wook, Design by Lee Jeong-ju, Source: X 'I Hate Apple', YouTube 'CuriousHagi', Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.