Apple’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have barely hit the shelves, but early adopters are already facing significant touchscreen issues. Numerous reports have surfaced online, with users experiencing unresponsive screens that fail to register taps, swipes, and other touch inputs. The issue seems to be affecting both the iPhone 16 and the Pro models, with complaints ranging from missed keyboard presses to malfunctioning scrolling features.
A Growing Issue Among Early Users
Many users took to social media and tech forums to voice their frustrations. The touchscreen issue has caused widespread irritation, particularly when typing or interacting with apps. Some reports have identified specific problem areas, such as unresponsiveness near the edges of the screen, leading some experts to speculate that the problem could be tied to the iPhone 16’s thinner bezels, which make accidental palm touches more likely.
One user on Reddit described the issue as “the screen becoming unresponsive after an accidental touch near the new Camera Control button,” adding that the problem only resolves once the finger is removed. Others have mentioned similar problems, with the touchscreen freezing intermittently during basic interactions, like scrolling through social media apps or browsing the web.
According to reports from 9to5Mac and Redmond Pie, this problem may be linked to Apple’s new touch rejection system, which is designed to prevent accidental touches. However, the system seems to be overly sensitive, causing it to misinterpret valid touch inputs,
The Technical Perspective: Software or Hardware?
The debate now centers on whether the issue stems from hardware design flaws or is purely a software glitch. Early analyses suggest that this is more likely a software-related problem, possibly tied to iOS 18, which was released alongside the iPhone 16 models. The issue predominantly arises when the phone is unlocked and in use, pointing toward a glitch in the phone’s touch recognition capabilities.
Some users have demonstrated the issue in videos shared on social media. For instance, a video posted by Mastodon user Khaos Tian shows how resting the thumb on the right edge of the screen disables all touch input—a likely symptom of the iPhone’s new palm rejection feature. Tian suggests that the phone may misinterpret skin contact with the edges of the screen as an accidental touch, thus preventing normal input registration.
Other sources indicate that users facing the problem have not noticed any issues when the phone is locked, further reinforcing the theory that a software fix could resolve the problem.
Apple’s Response and User Frustrations
As of now, Apple has not officially responded to these complaints. However, given the mounting frustration among users, many hope that a software update will soon be rolled out to address these problems. Historically, Apple has been quick to resolve such glitches with iOS patches. However, until an update is issued, there is little users can do to mitigate the problem.
In the meantime, some early adopters have suggested temporary workarounds, such as adjusting screen sensitivity settings or avoiding accidental touches near the edges of the screen. Nevertheless, these stopgap solutions have done little to alleviate the frustrations of those who shelled out a premium for the iPhone 16 and Pro models.
What’s Next for iPhone 16 Users?
With each new iPhone release, it’s not uncommon for initial issues to surface, and Apple’s recent flagship is no exception. While some users remain optimistic that a fix is imminent, others are concerned that hardware design flaws, like the thinner bezels, could make the issue harder to resolve through software updates alone.
Looking ahead, the next iOS 18 update could provide relief, but until then, iPhone 16 users are left to grapple with inconsistent touch inputs that make daily phone use more cumbersome than expected. As one frustrated customer noted, “It’s frustrating when basic functions like typing or scrolling become a hassle, especially with a phone at this price point.”
If Apple follows its typical update pattern, an iOS patch addressing these touchscreen problems could arrive in the coming weeks. For now, users are advised to monitor updates and follow forums for any potential fixes or advice from the broader iPhone community.
