iPhone Duo faces a second fault as buyers report gaps in the chassis
Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, has run into a second reported hardware problem within days of going on sale, with buyers reporting visible gaps in the phone’s chassis. The reports, shared on Reddit and picked up by tech outlets on 30 and 31 October, describe gaps around the sides or near the hinge, wide enough in some cases to let owners see inside the phone.
The reports have been nicknamed “Gapgate” by users online. Reddit user MICAPe9 posted a video showing a clear gap between the back of the device and the hinge when the phone was closed, with the hinge mechanism visible in the space. Other owners replied that they could see into similar gaps on their own phones.
The new reports follow the Duo’s troubled first week. The phone went on sale on 23 October, starting at $1,999, and pre-orders sold out within minutes. Within days, owners began reporting cracks along the crease of the inner display, a problem dubbed “Crackgate”. On 26 October, Apple said it was aware of an issue affecting the inner display on “a small number” of units and told affected owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Some reports have also pointed to a gap along the phone’s spine that could let dust inside, something rival foldables guard against with extra protection.
Why it matters
A gap in the chassis is more than a cosmetic flaw on a phone that costs $1,999. Openings around the hinge and spine could let dust inside and put at risk the Duo’s IP68 rating for water and dust protection. Extra stress on a misaligned chassis could also worsen the hinge problem already linked to the cracked screens.
The reports are already affecting buyers. Some owners have cancelled pre-orders, according to PhoneArena, while others still waiting for their phones — new orders were showing delivery estimates into late January 2027 — are weighing whether to cancel before they ship.
What happens next
The key question is whether Apple responds to the gap reports as it did to the cracked screens, by offering repairs or replacements. So far, Apple has not publicly commented on the gap reports. Owners are being urged to check their own devices, and the scale of the problem remains unclear: the reports so far come from social media posts, and Apple has given no count of how many units are affected.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.phonearena.com/news/apple-fans-consider-canceling-iphone-duo-pre-orders-as-another-issue-crops-up_id184471 (PhoneArena, 31 October 2026)
- https://www.techadvisor.com/article/3271293/new-iphone-duo-hinge-issue-found-by-redditor.html (Tech Advisor, 30 October 2026)
- https://americanbazaaronline.com/2026/10/27/apple-to-replace-iphone-duo-units-after-users-report-screen-cracks-490875/ (American Bazaar, 27 October 2026)
