CNET’s livestream stress test has folded the iPhone Duo over 450,000 times, exposing wear on the hinge but leaving the phone operational, indicating the device could survive a decade of daily use.
CNET has been conducting a live stress test on the iPhone Duo for three weeks, repeatedly opening and closing the folding display. The test surpassed 451,000 cycles, with the hinge beginning to show wear after roughly 450,000 folds.
Observers noted that the pull‑wire used to lift the screen would lose tension before the display reached its fully open position, causing the screen to coast the remaining distance. Around the 440,300‑fold mark, the device failed to keep the screen fully open before the automated folding mechanism forced it to close again.
Despite the hinge fatigue, the iPhone Duo remains functional. CNET reports no cracks, power loss, or sensor errors, and the phone continues to hold all other screen angles. The test will proceed until predefined failure criteria—loss of power, sensor mis‑detection, or screen blackout—are met.
Apple has not disclosed internal durability data for the Duo’s hinge. The device uses OLED panels sourced from Samsung Display, whose panels have passed a 500,000‑fold test on the Galaxy Z Fold7. While Apple likely employs a custom panel, CNET’s results suggest the Duo’s display and hinge could match or exceed that benchmark, potentially delivering a ten‑year lifespan at a typical 100 folds per day.
TechTimes Perspective
TechTimes notes that the CNET livestream provides the first publicly observable durability benchmark for Apple’s first folding phone. The emergence of hinge wear after 450,000 cycles suggests that, under normal consumer usage of about 100 folds daily, the iPhone Duo could remain reliable for more than a decade. However, Apple’s silence on official testing leaves uncertainty about warranty coverage and long‑term service. For Vietnamese consumers, the projected lifespan may justify the premium price if the device proves as durable as Samsung’s Fold series, but potential repair costs for hinge issues could affect adoption. TechTimes will monitor Apple’s official statements and any warranty policy updates.
