iPhone Duo Hinge Test Passes 451,000 Folds, but Wear Shows
CNET's iPhone Duo hinge test has passed 451,000 folds. The phone still works, but the hinge began loosening at about 390,000 folds.
Apple's iPhone Duo has passed 451,000 folds in CNET's live iPhone Duo hinge test, and the hinge is finally starting to give. The update, reported on 13 November 2026, shows Apple's first foldable still working after roughly three weeks on the machine, but no longer opening all the way by itself. The phone costs $1,999 in the US.
That's a strong number for a first-generation foldable. It also gives buyers the first public look at how Apple's hinge ages, because Apple has never published a fold rating of its own.
What the iPhone Duo hinge test found
CNET put a single iPhone Duo on its "Fold-a-Phone" rig when the phone launched on 23 October 2026. The machine runs around the clock at about 20,000 folds a day, and the weekday sessions are streamed live on YouTube.
- About 390,000 folds: the hinge started to feel looser.
- 440,300 folds: the screen stopped opening fully before the machine closed it again.
- 451,000+ folds: the phone still works, and it can still be opened flat by hand.
According to MacRumors, the screen now rests about 5 to 10 degrees short of flat when the rig lets go. There was no snapping sound and no reported cracking. CNET says it will keep going until the phone loses power, its sensors stop detecting the screen, or the display goes black.
How it compares with the Galaxy Z Fold7
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 is the obvious benchmark. Samsung says its display passed a certified 500,000-fold test by a third-party lab, so the iPhone Duo is now within touching distance of that figure. Both phones use foldable OLED panels from Samsung Display, though Apple's panel is thought to be its own custom design.
There's a big difference in method, though. A certification lab tests to a fixed standard, while CNET's rig is a single unit on a homemade machine. MacRumors rightly calls it less rigorous than Apple's internal testing. Neither result tells you how a phone copes with pocket lint, a drop or a squeeze in a bag.
What it means for buyers
At 100 opens a day, 450,000 folds is more than a decade of use. Most people will replace the phone, or at least the battery, long before the hinge wears to this point.
The bigger worry for early owners has been the inner screen, not the hinge. Some buyers have reported cracks near the fold, and The Apple Post reports that Apple has told affected customers to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Apple's AppleCare+ plan is worth a look on a $1,999 phone, and Apple has also been polishing the software, as the 100,000 apps now optimized for iPhone Duo show.
Our Opinion
Overall, this is reassuring news for anyone eyeing Apple's first foldable. A hinge that only loosens after about 390,000 folds should outlast the battery, the software support and probably your patience with the phone. The trade-off is that one unit on one machine proves very little about real-world failure rates, and the inner-screen cracks some owners have seen are a separate risk the test doesn't cover. If you want a foldable now and live in Apple's world, the Duo's hinge is not the reason to wait. If you're cautious, the Galaxy Z Fold7 has a longer track record and a certified rating.
Would 451,000 folds be enough to convince you to buy a foldable iPhone? Tell us in the comment section below, and stay tuned to Phone Opinions for more news.
Source: CNET, MacRumors, The Apple Post, Apple
This story was originally reported by CNET.
FAQ
How many folds can the iPhone Duo survive?
In CNET's test, the iPhone Duo was still working after more than 451,000 folds as of 13 November 2026, though its hinge began loosening at about 390,000.
Has Apple published a fold rating for the iPhone Duo?
No. Apple hasn't shared an official fold lifespan or its internal hinge test results.
How much does the iPhone Duo cost?
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the US for the 256GB model, and it went on sale on 23 October 2026.
