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...

Re:Pay to fix a defect?

[TheGratefulNet]

fuck apple!

they design it with flaws and then, after a long time denying it, decide to CHARGE you to fix THEIR error.

apple - go fuck yourself. this is the kind of thing that stops me from ever considering apple junk.

they used to be a good company. past tense.

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?

[msauve]

I'd be interested to hear from a real lawyer here - warranties are typically time limited, and cover defects in material and workmanship.

But, the actual defect in design (i.e. "workmanship") is present from day 1, within the warranty period. So, should not the warranty for such defects apply indefinitely, even if they do not manifest until later?

(I understand that a lawyer could take either side of the argument, money permitting. But, is there any case law in this regard.)

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

[Anonymous Coward]

Lawyer here.

The warranty does not apply indefinitely off the bat. The company has to extend the warranty to cover the specific defect (see the airbag recalls by all major manufacturers as an example). They usually do this because a threat of lawsuit is going to cost more than to repair the defects (if X + Y > Z then we settle). Right now the threat is not large, especially with the iphone 7 out. A lot of people just decided to upgrade. However as waspleg noted, there are lawyers who are salivating at the mouth. This is obviously a design flaw that was mentioned within the first year of the iphone 6 release. If they can get enough people to show they had issues in the first 2 years this can easily become a lawsuit.

However, if it reaches class action status, anyone who pays the $149 will ultimately get $20 back for being part of the class, the rest of iphone 6 owners will likely get back $5-$10 in the end. Apple will still need to shell out all of the money they should have paid in the beginning to fix the issue, so while it's lose-lose for Apple and the Consumer, it's still a net positive because Apple will be motivated to not do play these shenanigans in the future because not only does it hurt their wallet, it hurts their brand.

 

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?

[lucm]

Even that is a matter of opinion. When you say "as shown in Buster V Keaton..." the other party can simply say "we don't think it applies".

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

[jenningsthecat]

... there are lawyers who are salivating at the mouth ...

Well, I'm very glad to know that they're not salivating at some other part of their anatomy!

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...

If you're lucky...

[DogDude]

... 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!!

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.

Re:Am I reading this right?

[JoeyRox]

It's a design flaw. Watch this video, jumps to 2:27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhJW140kLCY#t=2m27s

Class action lawsuit

[XSportSeeker]

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.

It is an engineering defect.

[Lumpy]

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

Re:It is an engineering defect.

[Gr8Apes]

Now I dont put my 7plus in a pocket at all. a holster or in a jacket inside pocket. no pants pockets ever

I tend not to put stress prone flaming things in my pocket when I sit down or do anything else that would tend to flex said object, inducing stress and the potential for flaming pockets. I always cringe when I see someone with a phone in their back pocket as they climb into a car. I can only imagine that sooner or later one or more of those will burst into flames, especially if they are anything with "S7" in the name.

149?

[hcs_$reboot]

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.

Re:Simple to fix for $5

[meadow]

Actually all he did in the video was put a little piece of electrical tape over the chip which applied enough pressure to fix the issue.

Re:Simple to fix for $5

[freeze128]

I just watched the video. He claims he has some sort of Apple Repair Certification. He also calls the one of the BGA chips a "sensor". Since his repair involves cramming a folded piece of electrical tape up against it, I highly doubt it's a sensor, and thus, highly doubt his qualifications. Sure, his actions may have alleviated the issue from occurring, but I hesitate to call it a repair. Maybe a patch.

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:Simple to fix for $5

[msauve]

"Maybe a patch."

You misspelled "kludge."

Re:STUPID IDIOT MORONS? BENDGATE?

[I'm New Around Here]

Wait until we start having troubles with water.

Re:Small claim court

[lucm]

This sounds like a pretty good situation, except, the merchant/manufacturer will probably build the cost of legal challenges into the price of refrigerators purchased by the next group of buyers.

That's not how pricing works. Fat margin companies (and Apple is one) always go for the highest possible price point past the profit line. They don't itemize reasons to add a dollar here or there, it's all based on market research, price sensitivity of their core market, and so forth. For instance Apple will never pass down a discount to their customers if they get a better deal on batteries or screens.

At the other end of the spectrum there's Walmart, where the price of products is expected to go down year after year. They also will not take into account issues such as the cost of litigation, they will go for the rock bottom price.

Re:Simple to fix for $5

[mlyle]

It's an IC performing capacitive touch sensing. It sends waveforms down micro-wires in the screen assembly and measures phase shifts and magnitudes to detect touch.

e.g. http://www.mouser.com/Semicond...

Re:I typed t into Google

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

Mine just says:

tits
tiny tits
terrific tiny tits
teenage tits
tiny teenage tits ...

So obviously it is based on your (my) search history.

Re:Good news!

[DirkDaring]

Hire Elon Musk, he keeps proving people wrong time and time again.