Touch IC Disease, a glitch with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus that results in gray, flickering bars at the top of the devices’ screens and a loss of touch sensitivity, has earned Apple its latest class-action lawsuit.
Caused by an apparent design flaw in the iPhone 6 series, Touch IC Disease is more prevalent among the larger iPhone 6 Plus devices. While the problem made headlines for the first time last week, a proposed class-action lawsuit filed Saturday claims Apple has long been aware of the defect, which can render devices useless.
Apple has been slow to address the design flaw, which was spotted by independent repair shops as early as last year. Some iPhone 6 units exhibited a failure related to the Touch IC chips that handle all the touch activity on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Apple’s decision to not use a metal shield and underfill on the iPhone 6 logic board is listed as the reason why Touch IC Disease affects these devices.
“The iPhones are not fit for the purpose of use as smartphones because of the touchscreen defect,” the plaintiffs claim in a federal court filing obtained by Reuters.
The sticker Apple substituted for the metal shield on those devices doesn’t do nearly as good a job of protecting the chips on the board when the device bends. And because of the placement of the iPhone 6 Plus’ Touch IC chip, it is especially susceptible to damage.
The plaintiffs in the case are listed as Todd Cleary of California, Jun Bai of Delaware and Thomas Davidson of Pennsylvania. Apple has not responded to Cult of Mac’s request for comment on the pending lawsuit.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
8 responses to “iPhone’s Touch IC Disease pandemic triggers lawsuit”
More importantly, Apple changed the design of the IC on the 6S and also made the body stronger. Both of which will fix this. IMO, that shows Apple was aware of the defect and made changes in design. This can really damage Apple’s image. IMO, they need to repair/replace all affected devices. And not with the same refurbished ones that are failing at a much higher rate. That would really upset me if Apple charged me 350 dollars for a refurbished device with the same defect. And that is exactly what they are doing. This is what courts were designed for. Apple is clearly wrong here.
How is this Apple’s fault if you bend your phone? These are premium devices compared to the pieces of plastic we use to use and the properties of the material they are made of are different. Learn your lesson & treat your electronics with care. Buy Apple Care+ and upgrade your iPhone (or any smartphone) every two years. Wait any longer and your device is worthless and you ruin your own user experience and miss out on history being made.
Just wondering are you on Apple’s Payroll?
Probably stone drunk on the koolaid.
Go back and re-read what I said. If Apple did no wrong then why did they go back and stiffen the aluminum chassis and relocate and strengthen the IC? This is a non issue on the 6S. It amazes me that Fanbois have this sick belief that Apple can do no wrong and are god like. They are just a corporation that is obsessed with keeping high margins and reducing component costs.. That formula generally works but they got a carried away by using a sticker to hold the IC (save money) and use the same malleable aluminum. Even though physics would have told them to use a stiffer alloy when the device is longer and thinner at the same time. Part of Apple’s magic is they have brainwashed their users to believe these devices are actually worth the price they charge. This is simply not true. Device cost is about 200 dollars. They use cheap non gorilla glass, which is low resolution. Very cheap to manufacture compared to the higher end amoled displays. They use a minimum of ram and still choose to use dual core. All costing Apple less to make. For what they charge Apple care is a rip off. The insurance is expensive and the deductible is high. Did you know that the apple care pays for their component cost 100 percent? Apple loses nothing when you exercise it. Apple makes money on everything/every-time. The new lawsuit asks Apple to do some good will for a manufacturing defect. Which this is. But Apple does not like to give back. Even when they have 2 trillion dollars of worth.
effecting = Affecting ;P
My daughter was at the Genius bar today with this same issue and the only option they gave her was the standard $329 trade in for a “new” 6 plus. I told her to tell the Genius we’d wait for the class action lawsuit to take its course! C’mon Apple own it!
How do you join this law suit my phone was affected by this