CNET has been stress testing the iPhone Duo’s hinge on a livestream for the last three weeks. After nearly 455,000 folds and counting at the time of this writing, the publication reports the hinge is beginning to show signs of wear.
CNET says the hinge started feeling looser at the 390,000-fold point, and by 440,300 folds, there was enough of a shift in the mechanism that the screen didn’t open in full before the machine closed it again, and there was no distinctive snap. It is 5 to 10 degrees from the fully open state and can be opened fully by hand.
The wire we use to open the phone screen would withdraw before the screen was in the fully open position, but it would then sort of “coast” the rest of the way down. But between 12:30 and 1 a.m. this morning, around 440,300 folds, the screen would no longer have time to open all the way before the Fold-a-Phone caused it to close again.
The iPhone Duo is still on the folding machine, and the test is continuing until the device fails from certain conditions, including: loss of power, sensors failing to detect the screen properly, and screen blackout. CNET says the device so far is still operational and maintaining other screen positions, with no signs of cracking or other failure.
Apple hasn’t shared the results of any iPhone Duo hinge testing it did internally, nor has it provided an estimated fold lifespan.
CNET‘s livestream will continue until the iPhone Duo fails. The livestream runs on weekdays from 10 a.m. Pacific until 2 p.m. Pacific.
