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Apple Launches 'Touch Disease' Repair Program For iPhone 6 Plus (macrumors.com)
Apple has ignored one of the biggest problems plaguing iPhone 6 Plus devices -- until now. The company today launched a new "Touch Disease" repair program for the iPhone 6 Plus, finally addressing complaints about a hardware defect that causes the display of the devices to become unresponsive to touch, or less responsive overall. If you have an iPhone 6 Plus that is affected by this defect, you will be able to have your device fixed for a service price of $149. You will be reimbursed by Apple if you paid more than $149 to have your device fixed before the repair program was implemented. MacRumors provides some extra details: Complaints about the iPhone 6 Plus touchscreen issue started in August, after iFixit published a video highlighting the bug and dubbed it "Touch Disease." Touch Disease presents as a gray flickering bar at the top of the screen and a display that becomes unresponsive or less responsive to touch. The problem is believed to be caused by the touchscreen controller chips soldered to the logic board of the phone, making repairs difficult. Third-party repair outlets speculated that the issue could be linked to the same structural design flaw that caused the major "Bendgate" controversy, and Apple's suggestion that it is caused by repeated physical damage seems to confirm that. Customers who have an iPhone 6 Plus with Multi-Touch issues can visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple retail store to see if they qualify for the $149 repair fee.
You know it's bad when you type "t" into Google and it starts showing you results related to touch disease.
Paying to fix a defect?? and $150 USD to boot? That's more than many android phones...
Did I read that right? I think some class action lawyer cocks are straining at their dress slacks.
So, you pay them $149 to 'repair' what appears to be a design defect?
Fantastic customer service! Go Apple...
Is to upgrade to iPhone 7 Plus.
... Apple will let you pay $150 to fix a manufacturing problem. Kneel down, loyal Apple servants, and offer up your $150 to the Company today!!
I don't respond to AC's.
From TFA:
According to Apple, some iPhone 6 Plus devices may exhibit Multi-Touch issues after "being dropped multiple times on a hard surface," causing damage to the device. Under its repair program, Apple will fix affected iPhone 6 Plus devices for a service price of $149.
and
Third-party repair outlets speculated that the issue could be linked to the same structural design flaw that caused the major "Bendgate" controversy, and Apple's suggestion that it is caused by repeated physical damage seems to confirm that.
So, basically, they're saying it's physical damage, as in, people who stick their phone in their back pocket and sit on it, and/or drop it a lot?
I'm not sure what to think, is that a design flaw, or user error?
One thing I think I can conclude is Apple isn't admitting flaw here, cuz if they were, the repair would be free.
Who but the poor don't have an iPhone 7 already?
Seems that iPhone 6 has the touch disease also, especially after recent updates. Fact or fiction?
For those who don't know, there is already an ongoing class action lawsuit in the works:
http://bgr.com/2016/08/31/ipho...
And if you heard something about bendgate or about it being a problem with people who dropped their phones, just know that there has been multiple reported cases of phones that never suffered any physical damages, and that were never put inside tight back pockets and whatnot that also had the defect.
It usually happens overtime. Solder balls from a specific chip gets loose or cracks, which then causes the issue.
They dont backfill the BGA chip so it freaking cracks solder balls. They should fix the phones for free.
Mine started having it, so I did the online trick of a reverse bend and then took it to the apple store for a trade in. got full value because it was perfect looking and functioned perfectly at that moment.
Now I dont put my 7plus in a pocket at all. a holster or in a jacket inside pocket. no pants pockets ever
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
So, a hardware defect they caused is something YOU should be forced to pay them to fix? Fuck Apple.
BeauHD. Worst editor since kdawson.
The shot in the butt where you keep your wallet will hurt. I guess if you're in the UK it's the jab in the buttocks.
That's total nonsense. It shouldn't cost even as much as an aspirin in a 500 pill bottle obtained from Walmart.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
Yeah, the screen is small, and it is a bit thick and not "pretty", but it is solid, survived quite a bit of abuse, and the specs are still good enough for almost all the apps out there and is just fine. Plus, it has a headphone jack, the battery is removable, and most important to me of all is that it's ROOTED*. I actualy dread the day I will have to replace my phone, because the industry as a whole is going away from what I want in a phone. *Yes, I don't want or need a nanny in my phone saying "Bad consumer, don't touch any of that underlying linux stuff. Play with this My Talking Tom rattle instead. The way things are going, 2016 will look like an completly open free computing utopia compared to 2026, and in a decade, we will be posting here saying "Remember a decade ago, it was actualy possible to sideload apps on your phone/tablet/computer without $BIG_CORP telling you no, and not every app needed a constant always-on internet connection for every basic function, and it was possible to root/jailbreak many devices?"
Yeah, the screen is small, and it is a bit thick and not "pretty", but it is solid, survived quite a bit of abuse, and the specs are still good enough for almost all the apps out there and is just fine. Plus, it has a headphone jack, the battery is removable, and most important to me of all is that it's ROOTED*. I actualy dread the day I will have to replace my phone, because the industry as a whole is going away from what I want in a phone. *Yes, I don't want or need a nanny in my phone saying "Bad consumer, don't touch any of that underlying linux stuff. Play with this My Talking Tom rattle instead. The way things are going, 2016 will look like a completly open free computing utopia compared to 2026, and in a decade, we will be posting here saying "Remember not so long ago, it was actualy possible to sideload apps on your phone/tablet/computer without $BIG_CORP telling you no, and not every app needed a constant always-on internet connection for every basic function, and it was possible to root/jailbreak many devices?"
First, starting to be sick about these always ending by 9 numbers? 99.99, 149... Come on Apple, you're expensive enough no to have to be cheap and use that cheap marketing strategy ; do a straight 150 or a 145. Then, reading the summary quickly, I was really expecting the prior-normal cost to be $149, and due to complaints, the repair cost would be either free or way cheaper than that! $149 for a design flaw? Sounds like a (bad) joke.
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
In Quebec, we have customer protection laws that are almost hostile to merchants.
You'd just have to take Apple to small claims court (and by law, they have to represent themselves by sending a manager, they are not allowed to just send a lawyer in small claims court) and you could show up to court half drunk and you'd still most likely win since our system shift the onus from the customer on the merchant/manufacturer.. I did that with Samsung over a broken fridge once. They didn't want to pay for the damages, but as soon as they got served, they called me back and settled for what I was asking for + my legal fees.
iNfect
Table-ized A.I.
Touch Disease presents as a gray flickering bar at the top of the screen and a display that becomes unresponsive or less responsive to touch
Does it mean only some 6+ are/will be affected, or, eventually, that all 6+ are to be affected some time in the future?
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
Get an iphone repair kit on ebay for $5. There's a YouTube video on how to open the phone and reseat the chip.
Very simple
They're at least half-assedly acknowledging it, finally. I'll be curious to see whether this eventually turns into a free repair, a la the original MacBook Air hinge replacement.
My 6 Plus fortunately hasn't exhibited this problem yet - but I only carry it in a loose cargo pant pocket or a coat pocket. I really don't get why so many people store their phones in a butt pocket, though. I've been paying attention since this "touch disease" thing surfaced... and a lot of people seemingly keep their phones back there. I watched one of my coworkers pull his Samsung out of a back pocket today. It just seems dumb, and uncomfortable to boot!
#DeleteChrome
If Apple's user base does not call them out on charging $149 to fix a device that shipped defective to a point damaging to the company then perhaps a lot of the fun that has been poked at iPhones users over the years is true.
Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
Interesting BGR item is claiming that the iPhone6 fails far more than Android phones. Here is the lead paragraph and I'll let better brains decide...
While it’s generally assumed that the iPhone is far more stable of a device than your average Android smartphone, new data compiled by the Blancco Technology Group suggests otherwise. In a new research report covering mobile device performance for the third quarter of 2016, the data security company relays that 62% of iOS devices experienced a failure of some sort over the last three months compared to just 47% of Android devices.
http://bgr.com/2016/11/17/iphone-vs-android-reliability-crashing-apps/
Wait until we start having troubles with water.
If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
Step 1: Build in design flaw Step 2: Offer $149 repair Step 3: Profit!
I am not a number - I am a free man!
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Every time my computer is slow and drop it on the floor or hit it with a bat the screen stops working...sounds like a similar affliction. Wait...maybe I shouldn't do things like that...or sit on my giant phone.
Good news! Once President Trump forces Apple to bring manufacturing back home, the quality will improve and you won't have cheap plastic shit breaking all the damn time. Apple is of its father, Satan, the devil, and, left to its own fiendish devices, its father's work it will do.
Bringing manufacturing back would not improve quality. There's no infrastructure in place for this kind of volume, and it takes years to build this kind of local expertise. By the time the plants are up & running, Apple will have a smaller market share than Blackberry.
lucm, indeed.
Or a master server...
... but I can't. Apple is a for profit company and flat profits don't make the corporate gods and investors happy. Besides, if the morons are so hooked into the Apple eco system that they are willing to pay for issues with their devices that likely are not even of their own making then let them. For all the bad press that Samsung has deservedly garnered over the last few months and the stock and profit hits that followed the phones by them I have had have been remarkably tough and long lasting. My S4 gave me well in excess of 3 years service, only the power button failing forced me to buy a new phone. My S7 has been great so far. Is it as nice a device as say the apple 5S, for sure not but at least they do not force obsolesce on me via poor manufacture and OS updates. LG, Motorola, Sony, and Google etc all make very nice devices and they stand behind the products better than Apple seems to be willing to. If you can stomach Android and some of the interfaces that they force on you then maybe apple needs to be taught a little lesson the next time a phone refresh becomes necessary.
What will Trump's 'gate' be called?
I'm betting World War 3 or the Trump Global Depression.
Since the problem concerns about Apple, the retarded customers are implied. Are there any sane person who would pay $149 for company to fix a design flaw they have?
So users pay to have the badly engineered phone fixed. Very generous.
that will exhibit the same problem in a year. That's what they did with their 2011 Macbook Pro GPU problem.
This would luckily not work in The Netherlands or for that matter any other part of the EU, as we always have the right to have a "good product". After 2 years, the consumer has to prove the manufacturer made a mistake in the production, but the right remains. Apple mostly tries to avoid this, but this tactic would be quickly declared null and void by any sane judge here.
What will Trump's 'gate' be called?
I'm betting World War 3 or the Trump Global Depression.
How will we separate the Trump Global Depression from the 8 years of Obama's economic "recovery"?
...but can't spare a few million to fix this issue to make their customers happy. It would barely even register on their balance sheet. Thanks Apple!
Hire Elon Musk, he keeps proving people wrong time and time again.
Quite easily. Simply look at the facts. Trade deficit down by 24%, employment growth steady for 70 months, over 3% drop in illegal immigration, increased dollar value to the consumer, stronger stock market, increase in corporate profits (for better or worse), and a massive increase in the number of everyday folks who can afford health insurance. You want more? How about stronger global relations through confident yet compassionate leadership (unless you live in a potential drone strike area), a 63% drop in Guantanamo prisoners, a nearly 300% increase in clean energy generation, and a rampant increase in brainless, racist cunts spreading FUD about a passionate black man who really tried to make a difference.
You need citations? You can't handle the citations. Put your washed up, brain dead opinion back in the comments section where it belongs, and get the fuck out there and vote. I bet you didn't.
Oh, and Usama Bi Laden was smoked by US Navy Seals under his command.
I haven't seen comments on this pointing out that the 6s was the first phone with Force Touch added.
Doesn't it seem possible that that people pressing firmly against their screens may have accelerated the problem? Especially since it's using an earlier phone design that wasn't made with these stresses in mind.
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So , this is a problem caused by poor design and or manufacturing so that the device does not perform as advertised, but rather then issue a recall or repair this under warranty the manufacturer is expecting people to pay out of pocket to fix it?
So , answer is , never buy from them again.
âoeTolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons.
Mr. President, I didn't know they allowed you to access Slashdot again. I thought you were prohibited the last time you tried telling the funniest joke in the world.
If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
Fixed or not (how do you tell?), I think the market for used iPhone 6 Pluses just tanked. What's Apple offering for an upgrade trade?
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
[...] Apple's suggestion that it is caused by repeated physical damage [...]
So....this is a disease in the same way that blunt force trauma is a disease?
My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
What kind of paint are you huffing?
You know that if you're 22 and haven't found work, you're assumed to be RETIRED and taken off the books and don't count in the unemployment rate.
Trade deficit down? How about global trade being at a STANDSTILL. The USA could be globally trading nothing more than five teddy bears instead of four to Mexico for nine pinatas, and your stat would still hold up. Everyone is fleeing globally to the dollar because the world economies are slowly sinking into depression.
Stronger stock market? You mean a stock market overvalued by 4x? The S&P should be around 500-1000, buddy. Go research stock buybacks. This Fed-fueled nightmare is allowing companies to buy back their own stocks with incredible amounts of leverage, letting the one percenters ride off into the sunsets with their golden parasails.
I don't know about you, but insurance costs have tripled for me, and they are going up for E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E across the board.
Do YOU want more? Or are you just a paid troll?
I wish I could find some stupid people who could pay for my mistakes. There are many things that I can learn from Apple.
Everyone knows that the right way to carry an iPhone is inside of a man purse. Duh!
I welcome our new 99% overlords.
GGP should have not been modded -1 even with that kind of negativity
If it's at 80F, it's not ice cream, so your comment is invalid.
But it would be cold, because it is below body temperature.
Thank you, AC.