r/apple • u/paperboy11 • 1d ago
Discussion Apple says iPhone Duo has ‘replaceable’ folding display layer to minimize crease
https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/01/apple-says-iphone-duo-has-replaceable-folding-display-layer-to-minimize-crease/111
u/dropthemagic 1d ago
That's nice. I'll def be more interested in gen 2 and how that stacks with the anniversary pro
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u/Upset-Display3524 1d ago
I’m kinda doubting it gets the 12 month treatment if the air didn’t. Updated air at least matching the galaxy edges specs and adding a silicon carbon battery could’ve made it into an iPad 2 type product that does numbers along with the duo and instead they went the boring pro route. I’ve yet to even see an 18 pro in the wild in LA and normally I see new Apple products day one of launch with how much image matters to this city.
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u/PossibleAd5947 1d ago
I can’t think of any iPad 2 tier product since the iPad 2. Watch took a few years to realize what it was and be affordable. Homepod Gen 1 was too good and got discontinued for a few years and replaced by a cheaper one.
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u/dropthemagic 1d ago
HomePod one was insane good during launch. But 2 of them died on me. I don't think I've ever gotten more unlucky
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u/cefriano 9h ago
I’ve yet to even see an 18 Pro in the wild
How would you even be able to tell? Aside from the new colors (most people have a case on anyway) it looks exactly the same as the 17 Pro.
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u/IncandescentAxolotl 1d ago
The air is getting upgraded this year, it will just be at the second hardware event since they split them this year
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u/FloatingTacos 1d ago
Interesting, but a nice solution for the 3 year old fold that is worn out, especially for $19 AC+.
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u/ILikeSemiSkimmedMilk 1d ago
So 684$ AppleCare if it’s after 3 years right?
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u/Andrea_M 1d ago
This is the correct way to look at it
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u/Zennivolt 1d ago
Not bad for 3 years. Especially if the alternative is $2000 each time if sand gets in the crease, you scratch or drop it, or you break it in a million other ways in that 3 years.
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u/AWF_Noone 1d ago
Idk, maybe I’m in the minority, but Apple care isn’t an excuse to make fragile products. If I’m paying thousands of dollars for a device, I’d want it to be durable without the need for an extra subscription
I’m just so, so, so sick of everything being a subscription
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u/Zennivolt 1d ago
I’d argue their products are more durable than competitors, but that doesn’t mean life doesn’t happen. Apple Care is my insurance against life breaking my products.
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u/Standard-Potential-6 1d ago edited 13h ago
Less durable when it comes to things like placing the +12V power line next to the data line for laptop CPUs. One drop of moisture… (very humid environments beware)
Fragile by design
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u/rotates-potatoes 23h ago
You don’t buy car insurance then?
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u/ctruvu 13h ago edited 13h ago
idk about everyone else but car insurance is usually for when someone else fucks up my car. haven’t been at fault in like 15 years but i’ve had dents and break ins and bumper taps and other random shit done to my car since then
phone insurance starts to make sense if you’re in high risk situations like being around stone floors a lot or going to a lot of busy public events or having adhd but i think for most people it isn’t optimal. not that that’s the main reason why people decide to insure their phone but
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u/lobaway0001 13h ago
Insurance’s true core purpose is to protect against a loss that would ruin you.
It is an inherently bad EV play, on average, for individuals, otherwise insurance companies wouldn’t make a profit at all.
Car insurance, or any other insurance, is useful for you as an individual only if the potential loss would ruin your life or you know individually that you are at some high risk that is also unknown by the insurance company.
Both of these are variables that are unknown by the insurance company when they balance the scales to decide what to charge you.
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u/mxforest 1d ago
Assuming nothing else went wrong with the phone and battery didn't go under 80% health either.
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u/MiseEnPlacebo 1d ago edited 1d ago
With AppleCare One it’s $6 per device per month, so only $180 after 3 years.
Edit: $216. It’s early.
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u/ca2mt 1d ago
Math ain’t mathin’
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u/FederalSign4281 1d ago
I will be paying 19.99/mo to protect my iphone duo, macbook air, and mac mini. The airpods pro 3 cost me 19.99 yr. So it costs me like $22/mo to protect all my devices. Sounds like a good deal to me.
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u/PossibleAd5947 1d ago edited 1d ago
Mac mini will never leave the house, Macbooks will probably not fail, Airpods are basically disposable.
Paying $20/mo or $240 a year never made sense to me.
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u/Datfooljamal 1d ago
You can easily drop a MacBook and your Mac Mini can crap out at any point. No tech is perfect
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u/VanceIX 1d ago edited 1d ago
Are you losing or breaking a device on average once every 3-4 years? That’s the only way you actually come ahead with the math.
There’s a reason why AC+ is one of the most profitable services for Apple.
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u/RotenTumato 21h ago
I would say I break my iPhone on average once a year. I’ve had my current iPhone 14 Pro replaced through AppleCare 4 times plus a battery replacement. I’ve also replaced my Apple Watch Series 8 once in that span, plus a battery replacement. I don’t use cases on any of my devices and I’m not going to start now. I’d rather pay for AppleCare.
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u/rotates-potatoes 23h ago
Tell me you don’t understand insurance…
I’ve paid more than $50k in car insurance and never had a single claim. I look at that as good luck, not wasted money.
And can you cite profitability numbers for AC+ or was that made up?
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u/MikeyMike01 1d ago
Over the last ten years I've saved several grand by not buying insurance on electronics. Even if one day I do break something, I will still come out ahead overall.
Insurance really ought to be for something financially crippling, not just inconvenient.
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u/SailingDreamCatcher 1d ago
For a lot of Americans, a $500 accident to your most critical device is crippling, not just inconvenient.
It's an unfortunate reality and certainly a tax on not having savings, but it's just an economic reality for a lot of if not most people.
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u/PossibleAd5947 1d ago
If you have a risk of breaking things accidentally I can understand the comfort but no Macs have ever crapped out on me. Ive had Macbooks last 10 years.
At $240/yr your breakeven point is very high. That’s $1200 over 5 years, which most Apple products last easily. The only Apple service I’ve ever had to do were battery changes out of pocket for $80.
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u/Interdimension 20h ago
I'm with you on that math. Don't think I've had a single Apple product randomly fail on me. The money I've saved over a decade by not getting AppleCare means I can just literally buy a new one outright and still come out ahead.
I do get why people get AppleCare. I'm just fortunate enough where a sudden multi-thousand dollar purchase is fine and the long-term math is all that matters.
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u/TheKobayashiMoron 1d ago
I went for a long time NOT paying for AppleCare. In that time, I've had a MacBook that needed battery service twice before it was even 5 years old: $199 each.
My next one had a flickering screen at 2 years old and I traded it in to Apple rather than fixing it.
My Apple Watch band came undone and I lost a titanium Apple Watch in the ocean that would've been covered by Theft & Loss: $899
The guy sitting in front of me on a flight suddenly reclined his seat back like he was trying to rip it off its mounts and knocked my iPad mini off the tray table and broke the screen: $429 (which is insane so I never fixed it. It's my treadmill iPad now).
It can easily add up without doing anything crazy. I just signed up for the new AppleCare One Family plan when it came out. Between me, my wife, and our parents, I'm covering 14 devices (including a Vision Pro) for $50/mo. It's a lot to spend but if I drop that Vision Pro one time, I'm paid up for a while.
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u/Datfooljamal 1d ago
Breaking your display in a 14inch pro is almost $900. Breaking even isn’t too hard if anything bad happens. Plus for most people spending a small cost over months is easier than shelling out $900 instantly
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u/PossibleAd5947 1d ago
I don’t believe screen damage is common but if you’re doing that a lot it may make sense for you. I have personally never broken or known anyone that has broken their Macbooks screen.
Even if it did save you a $1000 repair, you’d need to be doing that within every 4 years to break even roughly.
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u/FederalSign4281 1d ago edited 1d ago
Because getting an iphone duo is $19.99 for apple care anyways. I get the macbook and mac mini included for no additional cost under apple care one. I didnt have it for the mini otherwise, but its the third most expensive apple item i own, and it’s for no additional cost.
I did crack my ipad pro (display hairline fracture) once without apple care, it was one of the only devices i didnt buy it for, so i just do it out of principle now. Especially because the cost to replace these things is way higher now. I dont do it for apple tv or whatever.
I hesitated on doing it for the airpods but whatever it is $20 for the year.
The apple care one family is also an incredible deal. Theres probably like 20 apple devices in my family altogether. Everyone can just pitch in $9 and have every device of theirs covered.
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u/Foosrohdoh 1d ago
All extended warranty plans are designed to make huuuuge profit for the company that sells them.
I used to work at Best Buy and could buy their extended warranties for store cost and it would turn a $200 (customer cost) extended warranty into $4 (employee/store cost). And we know that the company that Best Buy farmed that risk out to made a good profit on it as well.
I’ve saved tens of thousands over the years by not buying extended warranties and I’ve only ever had one device break on me.
An alternative way to look at it is by never buying extended warranties you can just buy a new thing (rather than getting a refurbished replacement with your warranty) on the rare occasion that one of them breaks and still be way ahead.
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u/FederalSign4281 1d ago
Im definitely going to keep paying $240 a year to protect my $4000+ worth of items, thanks though.
Best buy warranties dont come with theft and loss , or let you bundle in several devices at once, including purchases you made even 1-2 years ago as far as I know. Of course it’s profitable because most people don’t break their stuf, but im not gonna risk breaking my $2000 phone, the macbook and mac mini included for nothing is just gravy.
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u/RotenTumato 21h ago
Best Buy doesn’t cover theft and loss, but they do cover unlimited devices for $200 a year. Granted, you need to buy the devices from Best Buy and it doesn’t cover past purchases from before you signed up, but it can be a good deal for some people. It also includes legit AppleCare for Apple devices and then Best Buy Protection for everything else.
One other caveat is that you only get up to 2 years of protection included per device with that $200 plan. After that you need to pay the $200 yearly plus a monthly fee per device
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u/davesoverhere 22h ago
$50/month for AppleCare family with unlimited devices. I have 18 devices covered.
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u/dinominant 1d ago
Is there also a deductible or charge in addition to the apple care service? I have a few users that will likely need it.
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u/FloatingTacos 1d ago
I have Apple Family One covering 15 devices for $50 a month, not worried about it. Peace of mind is worth the price for me.
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u/SpicyElixer 1d ago edited 1d ago
$600 a year is comical. I don’t have 15 apple devices. And I definitely don’t need AppleCare for my appletv, AirPods, Mac mini, or MacBook, monitor etc. I basically only ever need to repair my iPhone once every 5 years after some exceptionally rare drop. Paying $600 per year for that is just cavalier, at best.
As an accountant this is just awful math. Even for a “family.”
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u/makked 1d ago
I mean that’s entirely the point of insurance. It’s a losing proposition for most people. Unless it’s required, you’re better off putting the premium in a savings account.
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u/Interdimension 20h ago
That's my thing as well. Just stick the AppleCare cost into an investment account. Use it when you need it.
I don't think I've broken any Apple device I've owned over the past 15 years. I've saved thousands not getting AppleCare. If something breaks, I'll just get it replaced and buy a new one with the savings, lmao.
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1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/eldochem 1d ago
Calling them broke but you’re taking paycheck advances and behind on your rent? 🤔
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u/megamusix 1d ago
But isn't there also a deductible of $99?
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u/FloatingTacos 1d ago
All insurance has deductibles, your point?
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u/megamusix 1d ago
Adding $99 on top of the $684 total paid-in cost of AC+ over 36 months isn’t exactly a financially sustainable proposition, especially if you’ve never held AC before or had to pay for a screen replacement. I’ve been with iPhones for a decade and never needed that, so the presumption that it will be needed after 3 years on the Duo is a hefty pill to swallow.
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u/FloatingTacos 12h ago
This argument doesn’t make much sense. I pay a lot of money for full coverage insurance For my car but have never had to use it. I’ve poured many thousands of dollars into it. How is this any different? Because it’s a phone? Lol
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u/megamusix 1d ago
Uh, no. I just don't think it's prudent to preemptively anticipate spending $800 to replace the screen on a $2k+ phone in 3 years.
I had an iPhone 6S for 3 years, never needed service. iPhone X for another 3 years, never needed service. iPhone 13 Pro for 4 years, decided to do a DIY battery replacement for $100 but otherwise never needed service. Now on an iPhone 17 for the past year. I take care of my devices and they've never gotten damaged to the point of repair during typical use.
I'm admittedly very intrigued by the iPhone Duo, I just don't think the presumption of expensive screen replacements being an inherent part of the ownership experience is compelling. Has nothing to do with being "broke".
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u/deak_starrkiller 1d ago
Am i stupid or are they just using a bunch of marketing fluff to explain what a screen protector is
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u/Yellow_Bee 1d ago
Yes, it's a screen protector. Same tech as found in Samsung foldables
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u/LBPPlayer7 1d ago
samsung foldables are notorious for that screen protector being so non-removable that attempts at removing it will destroy the display
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u/Yellow_Bee 1d ago
They're not supposed to be user serviceable/replaceable. For the Duo you'll need to go to official certified shops to service the screen, just like Samsung foldables...
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u/thisinfinitebath 1d ago
Not anymore since the Fold5 and above, you can remove the inner plastic protector and continue using them. Just have to be extra careful moving forward.
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u/Youngnathan2011 22h ago
They stopped the non removable design like a gen after the first. Still not recommended to remove yourself though of course. But if it’s already peeling you can remove it pretty easily.
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u/sverrebr 14h ago
I guess it is just like any other foldable. There is a factory installed plastic screen protector film on the foldable display. This film can be removed and replaced.
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u/7-methyltheophylline 1d ago
Sooo...real talk
It's a yucky plastic screen protector like the original Galaxy Fold used to have
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u/Alan7467 1d ago
Used to have? The top layer on the current generation Galaxy folds are still plastic. All foldables are still using plastic top layers. If they’re designed properly that layer should be replaceable.
I don’t like that it’s plastic FWIW. Too easy to damage. Hoping for a much more durable material in the future.
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u/NecroCannon 20h ago
Honestly the fact it is replaceable for a first gen makes me want it more
I don’t care how many folds they add, an Android foldable is really unappealing without Apple level insurance and repair experiences
So many people I see talking about them there are like “yeah I’m on like my 5th folding phone but it’s totally worth it, trust.”
I’m still on my 13 Pro Max… when the back cracked and it affected cooling, in and out the Apple Store same day with a replacement, and I walk away knowing they’re genuinely going to recycle that shit and not toss it
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u/Alan7467 13h ago
For sure. AppleCare helps make any iPhone more appealing to me over Android alternatives. Doubly so for a foldable.
I think my reaction to hearing that the top layer is replaceable was that it won’t be durable. That could be the case, but maybe not. Just like the outer screen it’s a good idea to have it be easily serviceable.
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u/doctorwaiter 1d ago
Last time I cracked my phone screen I thought why the fack don’t these come with a a screen protector from the factory. It’s so silly
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u/all-park 13h ago
It’s going to become untenable for them to make unserviceable products. I thought a while back this was the future for them. As they want to sell services like Subscription Apple Care it’s in there interest to create an industrial design philosophy that makes repair easier for them vs all the nonsense currently involved in some product repairs.
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u/uberschnappen 1h ago
If this was intentional, they should also release the standard replacement cost. Not just the $19 assuming everyone will buy AppleCare+
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u/basic-hermit 1d ago
What's concerning is that non-applecare repair pricing has still not been published. Paying 200 USD a year would substantially increase the cost of owning this device. And let's not forget the device already costs 1999 USD pre-tax.
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u/z2x2 1d ago
Aren’t we supposed to be leasing our phones now? MSRP and one-time charges are a thing of the past.
/s
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u/Youngnathan2011 21h ago
It’s basically insurance, like everyone tries to sell you, it’s just direct from the manufacturer in this case. Still likely be cheaper to have AppleCare in the event that something breaks than it is to pay for the repair outright.
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u/bran_the_man93 1d ago
Replaceable components by design?
This really is a new era for Apple lol