CNET's Fold-a-Phone Machine Puts iPhone Duo's Hinge to the Test

CNET has begun durability testing Apple's new iPhone Duo foldable phone using a custom-built machine called the Fold-a-Phone, which folds the device 900 times per hour to test its hinge and screens against Samsung's Galaxy Fold 8. The testing rig, developed over months at CNET's lab in Louisville, Kentucky, uses industrial stepper motors and 3D-printed sleds to secure each phone. The machine operates on a four-second cycle, mimicking natural usage patterns, and monitors motor power, sensors, and cameras to track performance until failure. Apple's entry into the foldable market comes seven years after Samsung's first Galaxy Fold, and CNET aims to provide data on durability since Apple hasn't disclosed official fold lifespan ratings. The company will livestream the testing process on YouTube Monday from 1-5 p.m. ET.