A deep dive into the foldable iPhone: Easy to break, but also easy to repair?

Smartphone battery capacity is not something Apple typically advertises; however, thanks to teardowns conducted by iFixit, Phone Repair Guru, and JerryRigEverything, we now have a clear look at the iPhone Duo’s battery system. Each half of the foldable smartphone houses a battery cell encased in steel, with rated capacities of 2962 mAh and 1921 mAh, totaling 3883 mAh. We also know that these cells are relatively easy to replace using the right tools, as they are secured with a special adhesive that releases when exposed to a small electric current. Furthermore, the phone remains functional even if one of the two batteries is removed.

The iPhone Duo’s rear cameras and its USB-C port—which is secured to the device with a pair of screws—also proved to be relatively accessible should they ever need to be replaced.

The flexible internal OLED screen—connected by delicate signal ribbons—and its spring-loaded hinge can present significant challenges during repairs; however, a positive aspect is that the outer protective layer, which reduces glare and conceals the crease in the middle of the display, can be replaced. Overall, iFixit has given the iPhone Duo a repairability score of 5/10—making it the most repairable foldable smartphone they have tested, yet still far more difficult to repair than a standard smartphone.

Apple’s first foldable device also caught the attention of Zack from the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel, known for his smartphone "destruction" tests. While many competing foldable smartphones have shown surprising durability, the iPhone Duo did not fare as well. Bending it in the wrong direction caused green lines to appear on the display, eventually leading to a complete failure of the screen. Furthermore, the hinge proved vulnerable to debris—particles of dust and sand that found their way inside prevented the iPhone Duo from closing completely.

You don’t have to be careless to face the risk of damaging Apple’s first foldable smartphone. For some unfortunate users, the screen broke after only a few routine folds—with the damage occurring in almost the exact same spot. This raises concerns about a potential design flaw, though fortunately, the number of such incidents has remained low, and Apple has replaced the defective units for the affected customers.

Those who purchase an iPhone Duo can only hope that this new foldable marvel doesn’t break later on in a way that isn’t covered by a free repair. The repair costs for individual iPhone Duo components, as estimated by Apple, are enough to be quite alarming...

• Damage to the protective layer – $49
• Damage to the glass back – $199
• Battery service – $229
• Damage to the rear camera – $229
• Damage to the external display – $379
• Damage to the external display and rear glass – $509
• Damage to the internal display – $999
• Other damage – $1,499