Apple has recently activated a small but useful feature for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone: the top layer of this product's inner display can now be replaced if it wears out or the fold line becomes more visible.
According to ITNA, the important point about this feature is its price.
In the U.S., Apple has set the replacement cost of this layer at $19.99 for users with AppleCare+. This service must be performed only by Apple or authorized service providers, and the company has not yet announced the replacement price without AppleCare+.
This coating is not a normal screen protector
The replaceable part is the nano-texture top layer that sits on the main foldable display, not the display panel itself. Kit Bergrohn, Apple's vice president of hardware engineering, explained that the company designed this layer for the maximum possible lifespan, but it can still wear over time; for this reason users can now replace only this top layer instead of the entire inner display.
According to media reports, this layer also helps reduce light reflection and make the display's fold line appear less prominent. Per Apple's official specifications, the iPhone Duo's inner display uses more than 10 ultra-thin layers and a proprietary nano-texture coating.
Apple does not recommend users do this themselves
Another important point is that despite Apple's emphasis on the layer being replaceable, this does not mean it can be removed by the user at home like a regular screen protector. Based on available information, this replacement must be performed exclusively in Apple Stores or through authorized service providers; a reasonable requirement given the much greater complexity of foldable phone displays compared to regular displays.
A far cheaper option than replacing the full display
According to the AppleCare+ pricing table, replacing the full inner display costs $99, and repairing some damage to the outer display or the rear glass body costs $29.
Also, accidental damage costs $99 and replacement in case of theft or loss costs $149 for covered users.
It is worth noting that the iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch ProMotion OLED inner display up to 120Hz and a 5.4-inch outer display.
Apple states the phone's inner panel reaches up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness and uses nano-texture technology to reduce light reflection.
Although the $19.99 price for replacing this layer does not make the foldable display indestructible, it offers a far cheaper way to deal with normal wear for iPhone Duo users. Given the expensive and fragile nature of foldable displays, such a feature could make long-term maintenance of this device easier for users.