Apple to fix iPhone 6 Plus with 'Touch Disease' for $149

CUPPERTINO, Calif., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Apple has announced it will repair iPhone 6 Plus devices with touchscreen problems for a service fee of $149.

The problem has been dubbed "Touch Disease" by the iFixit repair advocacy group after it found the faulty chips became loose in August.

"Apple has determined that some iPhone 6 Plus devices 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," Apple said on its website.

But some users say the problem also occurred when the device became bent in pockets.

Apple will repair the devices as long as the screen is not cracked and the device is in working order.

"Touch Disease" has accounted for up to 22 percent of repairs at Apple Stores after the problem was revealed, according to tech site Apple Insider. Apple says it will reimburse users if they already fixed their devices through Apple service providers.

The fix does not apply to the smaller iPhone 6.

Class-action lawsuits have been filed in California, Utah, and Canada over "Touch Disease." They allege Apple didn't do anything about a problem officials were aware of for some time.

The Apple 6 was released more than two years ago. It's standard warranty is 90 days.

Wireless carriers are not participating in the new Apple repair program.