Reports: The claim that the iPhone Duo's cover layer is replaceable comes from MacRumors, which says Apple's vice president of hardware engineering, Kate Bergeron, said so in an interview with content creator Angelica Siciliani Fendi. Apple has not published a page describing how replacement works.
According to MacRumors, Bergeron said the nano-textured cover layer above the inner display can be peeled off and replaced. MacRumors quotes her: "It's actually replaceable, which is a really nice thing for the customer that you can peel off that layer and get a new one." MacRumors reports she said Apple did a significant amount of engineering work to keep the layer in good condition for as long as possible, and that the layer helps hide the crease in the middle of the foldable display. MacRumors adds that replacement will likely be limited to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, which it describes as its own expectation, and says it remains to be seen whether customers can remove the layer themselves.
Apple's September 9 launch announcement confirms the layer exists. It says the inner display is protected by a scratch-resistant coating and a nano-textured cover layer made from a custom polymer with up to 40 percent higher stiffness than other materials used in the industry.
On timing, Apple's announcement says iPhone Duo pre-orders begin Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23. The U.S. price starts at $1,999.