Apple (AAPL) iPhone 6 and 6 Pluses are dying of "Touch Disease," an ailment resulting from the phones' thin frame -- also known as the 2015 "Bendgate" scandal -- rendering two touch chips unusable, according to repair expert iFixit.
Touch Disease first manifests as a flickering gray banner across the top of the screen. Later, it causes glitches in a phone's touch function, and eventually, the phone stops responding to touch. That's a big deal when unlocking the screen requires touch.
Repair shops see hundreds of Touch Disease-afflicted iPhones a month, says iFixit. Apple Geniuses -- support staff at the Genius desks at Apple stores -- reportedly acknowledge the problem but can't perform the hardware fix, according to complaints on Apple's forum.
The problem seems to be structural. In 2015, Apple strengthened weak points in the iPhone 6 frame to resolve Bendgate -- the phones' penchant for molding to a user's backside while in his or her pocket.
Still, the iPhone 6 is highly bendable. Through regular use, the solder beneath two touch chips tends to crack, says iFixit. When those chips lose contact with the logic board, touch functionality goes out the window.
Flexing the phone allows the chips to regain contact, but it's a temporary fix. Apple will replace the iPhone 6 while still in warranty, but outside that can only recommend buying a new phone at full price or a third-party repair, iFixit says.
Apple didn't immediately return a request for comment.
IFixit identifies the touch chips as U2402 Meson and Cumulus U2401, but doesn't note the suppliers. In an earlier teardown, Broadcom (AVGO) and Texas Instruments (TXN) were seen to supply a touch controller and a touch transmitter, respectively.
Apple closed down 0.75% to 108.03 in the stock market today, but is forming a handle in a 4-month consolidation. Broadcom lost 1.15% to 175.30, a day after hitting a record high. Texas Instruments dipped 0.1% to 69.90.
IBD'S TAKE: Apple has been rallying since hitting a two-year low in May. The iPhone maker is a long way from its all-time highs and the company is set to report its third straight quarter of falling earnings and revenue, but shares are near a buy point. For more details on Apple and other stocks to watch, check out Thursday's Investing Action Plan.
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