Apple's Foldable iPhone Features Replaceable Screen Protector Layer
Apple confirms its first foldable iPhone, codenamed Duo, includes a replaceable screen protector layer designed to mitigate crease issues. Replacing the layer costs $19.
Apple has confirmed that its first foldable iPhone, reportedly codenamed Duo, will feature a replaceable protective layer on its display. This component is intended to address concerns about screen creasing that can develop with prolonged use.
Kate Bergeron, Apple's Vice President of Hardware Engineering, stated in a TikTok interview that the foldable iPhone Duo's display incorporates an "outer cover layer" that is designed to be replaced. This layer works in conjunction with a matte display coating to minimize the visibility of the crease. Bergeron noted that the matte finish, unlike a glossy one, helps to conceal minor surface deformations.
According to Apple, the cover layer has undergone extensive engineering to ensure durability, but it is not a permanent component. Users will reportedly be able to remove and replace the layer to restore the screen's original appearance and feel. The cost for replacing this protective layer under AppleCare service is listed as $19 (approximately 127.6 Chinese Yuan at current exchange rates).
This feature offers a direct solution to one of the primary challenges facing foldable smartphones: screen longevity and the appearance of creases. While Apple previously hinted at matte coatings helping to mask wear, the inclusion of a user-replaceable layer provides a more tangible method for maintaining the device's condition over time.