Islamabad: Apple's foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has been announced for the Pakistani market with a starting price of Rs 899999, while its highest storage variant costs Rs 1.39 million, according to pricing information released by authorised distributor Mercantile Pakistan.

The distributor announced that sales would begin at 8am Pakistan Standard Time, with PTA approved devices carrying a one year official Apple warranty.

The Pakistani launch comes as some early international buyers have reported screen damage and display failures within hours of purchasing the device.

iPhone Duo prices in Pakistan

According to the announced price list, the device is available in four storage configurations.

The difference between the entry level and highest storage variants is Rs 490001.

The announced prices include PTA approval, meaning the devices are intended for use on Pakistani mobile networks without requiring buyers to complete a separate device registration process.

The one year Apple warranty provides a channel for eligible service claims, although coverage for particular types of screen damage depends on the applicable warranty terms and the circumstances of the failure.

Screen complaints emerge after international launch

The pricing announcement coincides with reports of problems affecting the phone's folding display in overseas markets.

According to accounts circulated by technology publications and social media users, some customers reported cracks near the hinge, lines across the screen and sections of the display becoming unresponsive. One buyer in Australia claimed that the inner screen developed a crack approximately six hours after purchase.

The customer said the device had been opened fewer than 20 times before resistance was felt around the hinge, followed by a cracking sound. According to the account, an Apple Store subsequently replaced the affected phone. Similar complaints have appeared online, although the circumstances surrounding individual cases have not all been independently verified.

Durability questions for foldable smartphones

The iPhone Duo represents Apple's entry into a market where Samsung, Google and other manufacturers have already introduced foldable devices. Unlike conventional smartphones, foldable models use flexible displays and mechanical hinges that allow their screens to open and close repeatedly. These components require additional protection against physical stress, dust and damage around the folding mechanism.

Technology YouTuber Zack Nelson, who runs the JerryRigEverything channel, also conducted durability tests involving the device. During testing, dust and sand reportedly entered the hinge mechanism and affected its ability to close fully. A separate bending test damaged the inner display.

However, these tests involved conditions beyond ordinary use and do not establish whether similar problems would occur during routine handling.

What the complaints mean for Pakistani buyers

The reported screen failures introduce a consideration for customers purchasing a device priced between approximately Rs 9 lakh and Rs 13.9 lakh.

At these prices, the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged folding display could become relevant, particularly if the damage falls outside warranty coverage.

Mercantile Pakistan's announcement confirms PTA approval and a one-year official warranty, but the information provided does not specify the cost of screen replacement or whether reported hinge-related failures would qualify for free repairs.

Apple has not publicly established whether the reported incidents stem from manufacturing defects, design related problems or damage affecting individual devices.

The number of affected units also remains unclear, making it difficult to determine whether the complaints indicate a widespread issue. Reports from international markets suggest that some affected customers have received replacement devices, while damaged units may undergo technical examination.

For customers in Pakistan, the distinction between manufacturing defects and accidental damage will be relevant to how warranty claims are handled.

The combination of the announced domestic pricing, official distribution and overseas complaints places attention on the device's after sales support as it enters the Pakistani market.