An internal defect is causing tons of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to break

A hardware defect is causing certain iPhone touchscreens to malfunction and become unusable. Is it a design flaw or planned obsolescence?

The issue, dubbed "Touch Disease," affects iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models, according to Jessa Jones, a repair specialist from iPad Rehab. On the surface level, affected iPhones show a flickering gray bar at the top of the screen and unresponsive touchscreens.

iPad Rehab is one of many repair places that have received defective iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices for repair, as reported by iFixit.

On a technical level, the issue appears to be an internal hardware defect, so replacing the touchscreen doesn't fix affected iPhones.

The problem stems from flawed touchscreen controller chips (Touch IC) on the logic board and is potentially tied to "Bendgate," the structural design defect that caused the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to bend easily.

For the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple apparently didn't use any "underfill" (sticky glue-like substance) to keep the Touch IC chips securely attached to the logic board. And instead of using a "metal shield" to further keep the Touch IC chip place, Apple instead chose to go with a sticker.

Thus, Touch Disease starts to rear its ugly self and render iPhones unusable when the Touch IC chips come loose over time, likely from daily handling and impact.

Touch Disease doesn't affect the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus because Apple moved the Touch IC chips from the logic board to the display assembly, which reportedly protects them better.

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus also use stronger, less bendable 7000-series aluminum.

While Apple may be aware of the issue, the company isn't offering any repairs, according to iFixit's report. Mashable has reached out to Apple for comment.

Anecdotally, my younger sister had this issue a few months ago on her launch-day iPhone 6 Plus and brought it to an Apple store for repair. Since her iPhone was out of warranty and she didn't have any AppleCare, she was told her only option was to buy a new one for $360.

I have not experienced the Touch Disease on my launch-day iPhone 6.