What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge - MacRumors
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What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge

Apple hasn't shared iPhone Duo hinge tests or given a lifetime fold number like Samsung, but Joanna Stern used a custom device to subject her review unit to more than 32,000 folds over four nights.

joanna stern fold test
Over the course of the testing, Stern said she thought it might be feeling looser as the number of folds increased, but her final conclusion was that she couldn't feel much of a change. A calibrated push-pull gauge used to take readings before and after the Duo fold test showed the hinge was actually stiffer than before.

But in everyday use, I really couldn't feel a difference. So, after 32,000 folds, it felt pretty much the same as day one, which is pretty darn impressive.

Stern didn't comment on whether the fold test caused the crease to be more visible, which can happen over time with other foldable devices. Her testing was done with a case on, and while the machine opened the Duo flat, it didn't close it all the way each time.


Samsung's foldable displays undergo official testing, and in 2025, the display used for the Galaxy Z Fold7 passed a 500,000-fold durability test. Samsung Display says that translates to over 10 years for average users folding their device about 100 times a day, or over six years for users who fold it more than 200 times daily.

Until Apple shares information on display and hinge durability, Stern's test is all we have to go on. It's unlikely to be the last unofficial folding stress test that we see over the next few weeks.

The full details on Stern's machine, including how it was built, can be found in her YouTube video, and she has more information in her review writeup.

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Top Rated Comments

1 day ago at 01:15 pm

Joanna Stern’s review is very good overall. 32,000 folds is roughly a year of normal usage.
Really, assuming you are awake 18 hours per day, that is roughly 5 folds per hour, or 1 fold every 12 minutes.

Anyone that has time for that, should probably think about moving our of their parent's spare bedroom and getting a real job.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1 day ago at 01:06 pm
Joanna Stern’s review is very good overall. 32,000 folds is roughly a year of normal usage.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1 day ago at 01:25 pm

32,000 folds in 4 nights:

What does that have to do with anything? The plastic screen is brand new and supple.
This test only proved that it survived the torture for 4 nights. Worthless
It is possible that consecutive folds over a very short period of time may cause more fatigue and be actually more damaging due to heat buildup or failure of the built in mechanism to reduce friction. I am assuming you're not an engineering professional. I would not say it's worthless
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spock Avatar
1 day ago at 01:24 pm

32,000 folds in 4 nights:

What does that have to do with anything? The plastic screen is brand new and supple.
This test only proved that it survived the torture for 4 nights. Worthless
How is the test worthless? 32,000 is still 32,000, 4 nights or 4 years.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1 day ago at 01:16 pm
Pretty sure Apple had a machine that opened and closed Duo 250,000 times.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alia Avatar
1 day ago at 01:32 pm

That's a fair point. Plastic does degrade over time. I guess this tests does tell us that hinge system is pretty durable. Though like you, I'd like to see some long term testing with that screen considering it is plastic and how well that coating holds up over the years. Early adopters will be our guinea pigs. ;)
Well the coating can be replaced with AC+ for $19 - hinge, not so much, so as between the hinge and the nano texture coating, I'd be more concerned about the longevity of the hinge.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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