The latest update about the Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus' "touch disease" problem is that Apple launched a repair program for the iPhone 6 Plus and says the problem is caused by dropping the phone multiple times. One hardware repair company, though, dropping the device is not the actual reason for the "touch disease."
According to Apple's official website, the "Multi-Touch" repair program will cause users $149 to repair the problems of their iPhone 6. The company also said that users who already had their iPhone Plus 6 repaired will be reimbursed if they paid more than the amount Apple specified.
The iPhone maker said that certain iPhone 6 Plus may "exhibit display flickering or Multi-Touch issues after being dropped multiple times on a hard surface and then incurring further stress on the device." If a users iPhone 6 Plus is experiencing these symptoms, they can take it to either an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Appl Retail Store or Apple Technical Support to have the device repaired.
Fortune reports that the problem was first mentioned earlier this year by hardware repair company iFixit in a published report. The company said that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus may both suffer from what it calls a "touch disease".
iFixit said that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus both have an IC Chips, which allows the screen to interact with the users' touch inputs. These chips are being connected to the iPhone's main board with small soldered balls.
The hardware repair company said that the balls can crack over time and start to lose contact between the display and the board. The problem may even cause the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to lose all touch functionality.
A lot of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users have complained of the problem over the last several months, criticizing Apple for forcing them to buy a new iPhone to address the problem. Lawsuits were also launched, citing Apple's policy response to the problem.
iFixit doesn't agree with Apple that the "touch disease" the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is experiencing is caused by dropping the device. CEO Kyle Wiens said in a statement that his company has still experienced the problem, even in devices that haven't been dropped.
"Apple is correct that dropping the device onto a hard surface could cause this issue," Wiens said. "But that's not the only cause: we have seen this problem on phones that have never been dropped. And in phones that have lived their entire lives protected in cases."
Wiens also criticized Apple for not acknowledging that the problem is caused by "manufacturing defect" as well. He also said noted that a lot of iPhone 6 owners are affected by the problem, not just iPhone 6 Plus users.
