Repairing the iPhone Duo’s folding screen costs as much as a new iPhone
Apple’s estimated out-of-warranty repair prices for its new iPhone Duo show that fixing the folding phone could be costly, with inner display damage priced at $999. The figures highlight the potential value of AppleCare Plus for buyers, particularly because the phone starts at $1,999.
Without AppleCare Plus, other damage is estimated at $1,499, while battery service costs $229 and outer display damage costs $379. With AppleCare Plus, battery service is free, and inner display repairs or other accidental damage cost $99; cover costs $19.99 a month, $199.99 a year or $399 upfront. The iPhone Duo goes on sale on 23 October, with pre-orders opening Friday at 8am ET.
- Out-of-warranty inner display repair is estimated at $999.
- AppleCare Plus reduces that repair price to $99.
- The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 and arrives on 23 October.
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AppleCare Plus is Apple’s optional cover for accidents and some repair costs. It is separate from the standard warranty, which generally covers faults rather than damage caused by drops or other accidents.
The iPhone Duo is a folding phone with an inner screen that opens out and an outer screen for use when folded. Its starting price is $1,999, so repair costs can be a significant part of the overall cost of owning it.
Buyers weighing the phone’s price may also consider how likely they are to need a repair and whether paid cover suits them. The cost of fixing a folding screen matters because the device’s two-screen design can make damage expensive to address.
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The case for
The high repair price reflects the cost and complexity of replacing a large folding display, and helps explain why AppleCare Plus may appeal to buyers. At $99 for accidental damage repairs, the cover could make ownership costs more predictable for people who want the phone but worry about damaging it.
The case against
A $999 charge for inner-screen damage, and $1,499 for other damage, could make an already expensive phone costly to own once its warranty ends. Buyers may reasonably see those prices as a reason to expect more affordable repairs or greater durability, while AppleCare Plus adds a substantial extra cost.