Apple Inc. (AAPL) saw its shares decline 0.40% in premarket trading on Tuesday after the company confirmed display problems affecting a small number of its newly launched foldable iPhone Duo devices and offered replacements to affected customers. The move extends Monday's losses, when Apple shares fell despite a broader tech-led rally.
The weakness stood in contrast to the wider market on Tuesday, with futures for all three major US indices pointing higher ahead of the opening bell.
Apple acknowledges display issues
Apple began shipping its first foldable smartphone last week, with early reports indicating strong demand and limited supply. However, some early adopters have reported cracks and lines appearing on the inner display near the hinge, where the device folds. Others have noted a cracking sound when opening the phone.
Bloomberg reported that some users encountered display faults within hours of purchase. Apple has acknowledged the issue but has not disclosed the cause or the number of units affected.
“We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units,” Apple said in a statement. “If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement.”
The company has not provided further details about the reported defects or whether they are linked to the phone's folding mechanism. Screen durability has been a persistent challenge for manufacturers entering the foldable market, with Samsung also facing display-related problems during early launches of its foldable devices.
Beyond hardware complaints, some iPhone Duo users have pointed out that several applications have yet to be optimized for the device's folding screen. Apple has described app development for the new form factor as an ongoing process.
“The response to iPhone Duo from early users has been incredibly positive, and we are seeing exciting things from developers who are rapidly updating their apps to take advantage of its unique form factor,” an Apple representative said in a statement.
iPhone 18 sales show mixed regional performance
Separately, Apple's latest iPhone sales have offered a more nuanced picture than reports of lukewarm demand for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup might suggest. According to Counterpoint Research, global sales of the iPhone 18 series were 3.1% higher than those of the iPhone 17 Pro series. China led the increase, with year-over-year sales growth of 29%.
However, sales declined 4% in the US and 27% in Japan, highlighting differences in demand across major markets. Counterpoint attributed the US decline to consumers' reluctance to upgrade from previous models given higher prices. In Japan, demand shrank as exchange rates amplified price increases.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
