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.

Comments

Pay to fix a defect?

[Anonymous Coward]

Paying to fix a defect?? and $150 USD to boot? That's more than many android phones...

So, Apple is charging to fix their design flaw?

[waspleg]

Did I read that right? I think some class action lawyer cocks are straining at their dress slacks.

Re:So, Apple is charging to fix their design flaw?

[lucm]

Well, that's a typical lawyer response, meaning it's not a response at all.

That's because the law is not an exact science, it's usually a matter of opinion, just like accounting or union grievances. Even when "the law is clear" it's usually a gray area, especially torts. Trying to get a formal answer is like asking at what point something stops being hot and starts being cold.

Re:So, Apple is charging to fix their design flaw?

[Anubis IV]

Based on what Apple's saying (which wasn't in the summary), it sounds like they're placing the blame on the customers for dropping the devices onto hard surfaces repeatedly. If what they're suggesting is true, then this service really is a courtesy on their part, since they owe those customers nothing of the sort. If it's false, then it's a way for them to try and appease most people without acknowledging any guilt that might get them in trouble if/when there's a class action suit later.

$149? WTF?

[thesupraman]

So, you pay them $149 to 'repair' what appears to be a design defect?
Fantastic customer service! Go Apple...

Am I reading this right?

[duke_cheetah2003]

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.

If hell is not raised

[wjcofkc]

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.

Re:The solution

[beelsebob]

Which Android phone that's even vaguely in the same ballpark as an iPhone in terms of performance costs $149?

Note, since you're clearly not counting contracts as you cited $900 for a phone that retails for $649 without any contract at all, I fully expect you to mark up any android phone by $250, meaning, what I'm really looking for is for you to find an android phone which has similar specs to an iPhone, but they'll give you $100 for using it, even though it doesn't come with any strings attached.