[Anchor]

Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, has become embroiled in durability controversies right after its release. Although it is enjoying immense popularity—causing shortages despite a price tag exceeding 3 million won—complaints are continuously being raised about screens cracking while folding and unfolding the device.

Reporter Hong Yeongjae has the details.

[Reporter]

A man who purchased Apple's new foldable phone noticed a clear line running from the center to the right side of his new phone's display after getting into his car.

The social media account that shared the video stated that "the screen cracked before even arriving home," using the word "crack" to declare that a so-called "crack-gate" has erupted.

Although it has only been four days since Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, was released worldwide, reports of damage are pouring in online, with claims that the screen cracked after folding the new product fewer than 20 times.

In particular, the locations and patterns of the display issues are largely similar.

In most cases, the problems began around the hinge, which is the folding part of the screen.

Because this is a core technology for foldable phones that is difficult to implement, other manufacturers subject their devices to durability tests of over 500,000 folds and unfolds.

Consumers are now raising questions about the durability of Apple's first foldable phone, given the company's reputation for emphasizing flawless craftsmanship.

Apple explained that the iPhone Duo holds an IP68 rating, meaning it has the highest grade in terms of dust and water resistance. However, when a domestic YouTuber conducted an experiment by sprinkling sand on the hinge and submerging it in water, abnormal symptoms appeared.

[You YouTuber "CuriousHagi": When water and dirt mixed together, they got inside the hinge, and it started making a squeaking noise.]

In a test by a foreign YouTuber, a device exposed to sand failed to close completely, or its screen broke instantly when force was applied to fold it backward.

Experts point out the possibility of flaws not only in the component assembly process but also in the product design itself.

[Kim Hyun-jai / Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University: Since Apple designed the overall phone design and component assembly, I think there is a possibility that some error occurred during Apple's design phase.]

Apple has not yet released an official statement.

With even the initial batch of reportedly 8 million units facing shortages, concerns are growing that exchanges will not be easy amidst durability controversies over the high-priced product, which costs up to 3.29 million won.

(Video reported by Kim Hak-mo, Video edited by So Ji-hye, Design by Choi Jae-young, Video sources: X account "I Hate Apple", YouTube channels "CuriousHagi" and "JerryRigEverything")