iPhone 16 Pro Max Touch issues with 16 Pro / Pro Max display

[SaveUsBatman]

I popped into the Apple Store I was near today while at the mall. She ran a diagnostic test of the multitouch display while I was there and found no issues of course. I could not replicate the isssue while I was there, as I’m also having some screen glitches when I go to unlock the phone. She logged it while I was there that I had it looked at for the future. Well in preparation that I was maybe getting a replacement iPhone, I ordered new protectors. I was using the magic John screen protector at first and had the touch issues. Switched to a different screen protector just a little bit ago and I’m noticing a difference but too early to tell. I went caseless and screen protector less on my 15PM but had micro scratches and wanted to keep this one in a bit of a better mint condition so still caseless but still using protectors.

Fingers crossed this continues. I really really love this phone too much that I don’t want to go back to the 15 PM which I also hear it’s happening to. Let’s see, I am silently following along in this thread 👍

 

[DeanPSN]

So small update from my side is that I changed my screen protector from ESR Armorite to Caseology. ESR was horrible!!!

I genuinely feel a huge difference. It does not miss like it was doing before, it is similar to using without the screen protector and the size of the tempered glass is also marginally bigger than the screen to not show any rainbow effects.

I am living in a country where there is no return policy. So trying to find the best way to live with this nightmare.

If you want to try here’s the link :

iPhone 16 Pro Max Screen Protector Snap Fit (2P) - Caseology.com

Shield your iPhone 16 Pro Max with our tempered glass screen protector. The Snap Fit (2P) is designed with an installation tray that allows for flawless application every time. Choose Caseology. Shop now.

www.caseologycases.com

Does Caseology have black borders?

 

[Bazooka-joe]

As I said in a previous post, some people on Reddit were saying it seems to be that July and August builds that were having an issue and that the September phones didn’t seem to be a problem. Anyway, when I get my new phone tomorrow, I will report back.

 

[romanson]

As I said in a previous post, some people on Reddit were saying it seems to be that July and August builds that were having an issue and that the September phones didn’t seem to be a problem. Anyway, when I get my new phone tomorrow, I will report back.

If that is true , than I am ****ed anyway ,but olease , let me know is that the case

 

[Simacca]

As I said in a previous post, some people on Reddit were saying it seems to be that July and August builds that were having an issue and that the September phones didn’t seem to be a problem. Anyway, when I get my new phone tomorrow, I will report back.

I have an August build on the latest beta and have no touch issues. Also use a esr screen protector.

 

[Carlsberg69]

I have an August build on the latest beta and have no touch issues. Also use a esr screen protector.

August build here too, 16P. Had the palm algorithm issue on the right side near CC which is much better since 18.0.1 and barely noticeable now, no other touch issues really. Apple installed Belkin screen protector.

 

[jajo.j]

I have an August 2024 16 Pro Max and 18.0.1 solved the issue where the screen completely ignored touches. It also feels a lot smoother than on 18.0 but not as smooth as a 15 Pro Max. It is mostly noticeable on the keyboard when repeating key presses like "backspace".

I am strongly considering replacing it for a newer build. I recently tried a 16 Pro that was manufactured in september 2024 and it had zero issues with lag in the keyboard. So maybe Apple had issues with the first batches of the phone.

The reasons why I haven't replaced my phone yet is that this is "barely" an issue for me right now. It mostly feels smooth and works great. I compared mine with a Pixel 9 Pro XL which felt less smooth overall.

I also have a very good image sensor with great performance at high ISO. I feel no excitement to play the "sensor lottery" and possibly get a worse image sensor with blue noise at low light long exposures.

 

[kshitijraina]

Does Caseology have black borders?

No it doesn’t have black borders!

 

[Carlsberg69]

Listen ,

and i have july , so , maybe that is it.
Maybe you are on right track

Think we lost our dear friend romanson.

This with build dates is a highly interesting lead, agree on that.

 

[uscrocc]

Hello, Have you tried downloading the beta of ios 18.1 public 3 or 6? I have the problem that sometimes I miss touches and I have to repeat the action a second time. It really seems like a software problem


I have iOS 18.0.1 and August Build

 

[mathieuplante]

That could be the problem. For right-handed ppl there’s contact with the camera control and it’s probably designed to ignore screen inputs.

Can you do a left-handed test with camera control still enabled?

I actually use my iPhone with my left hand already. My middle and ring fingers are hugging the right side of the phone most of the time.

 

[mathieuplante]

I tried to find some screen protectors on sale for the 16 Pro Max, something that covers the entire screen and doesn’t cause a rainbow effect and nothing.

Has anyone else found anything that covers the entire screen up to the bezels? I’m not looking to paying more than $10 neither on a thin piece of glass neither.

I started with the ESR , but they have the rainbow effect and don’t go over the borders that much, so it’s noticeable.

The Torras is pretty good, because it has a black border right on the protector, but it hides a pixel or two on each sides, so I went back to the ESR for now.

I also tried the Belkin, but the protector stayed stuck inside the applicator. I decided to exchange it, and there’s a big delay in manufacturing, maybe to fix that problem.

 

[Carlsberg69]

I also tried the Belkin, but the protector stayed stuck inside the applicator. I decided to exchange it, and there’s a big delay in manufacturing, maybe to fix that problem.

Oh interesting, the reason is a good question, maybe it’s just a prod cap issue.

Btw, have the Belkin protector on, Apple installed, but not liking the edges, which are easily felt all the time when touching around the sides. Wish they were more rounded and less noticeable. Anyone have a tip of a better screen protector in this regard?

 

[kat.hayes]

I just got mine yesterday, and so far no issues that I can notice. If anyone wants me to check anything in particular I will be happy to do so. I also can not find where it shows the date that it was made. I just checked the About section in Settings and didnt see it there...

 

[Coconutx]

I just got mine yesterday, and so far no issues that I can notice. If anyone wants me to check anything in particular I will be happy to do so. I also can not find where it shows the date that it was made. I just checked the About section in Settings and didnt see it there...

Settings>battery>Click on battery health, and it will show your build date. My new replacement is a September build with no touch issues with a screen protector.

 

[uscrocc]

I just got mine yesterday, and so far no issues that I can notice. If anyone wants me to check anything in particular I will be happy to do so. I also can not find where it shows the date that it was made. I just checked the About section in Settings and didnt see it there...

you can see the production date in "Battery". In particular, I have the problem that sometimes the touch loses some touches. I can't understand if it is due to iOS 18.0.1 or if it is a hardware problem and therefore only solvable with replacement. I have had an iPhone 16 pm for 4 days

 

[metsjetsfan]

Is there anyone out there with a 16PM with screen protector and no issues

 

[threeonthetree]

It is mostly noticeable on the keyboard when repeating key presses like "backspace".

I am strongly considering replacing it for a newer build. I recently tried a 16 Pro that was manufactured in september 2024 and it had zero issues with lag in the keyboard. So maybe Apple had issues with the first batches of the phone.

The reasons why I haven't replaced my phone yet is that this is "barely" an issue for me right now. It mostly feels smooth and works great. I compared mine with a Pixel 9 Pro XL which felt less smooth overall.

I also have a very good image sensor with great performance at high ISO. I feel no excitement to play the "sensor lottery" and possibly get a worse image sensor with blue noise at low light long exposures.

My keyboard lag has improved a lot with the beta 6, still not as fast as my regular 16 however.
What is this sensor lottery issue? I have not heard about it.
What I noticed however, if I use my 16 and 16 Pro Max to take a shot when there is not enough light, I noticed 16 will fire up the night mode where the 16 Pro Max would not, and without changing anything, the 16 will have a better shot. I have to manually turn on the night mode on the pro max, to have similar or better shot.

 

[threeonthetree]

Is there anyone out there with a 16PM with screen protector and no issues

Some users on here and Reddit have reported no issues, even with a screen protector on. However, if you're still within your return period, it's best not to take any chances, return the phone. You don’t want to be left at Apple’s discretion for when or if they’ll fix it or offer a replacement.

 

[ufsj]

As I said in a previous post, some people on Reddit were saying it seems to be that July and August builds that were having an issue and that the September phones didn’t seem to be a problem. Anyway, when I get my new phone tomorrow, I will report back.

I have a September build and can confirm it is still an issue.

For reference I initially had a Pro Max from Apple (preorder) which had the issue that I ended up returning. Waited until 18.0.1 was released, bought another Pro Max from RedPocket which was backordered initially but just received (built in September). Unfortunately it has the same issue on both 18.0.1 and 18.1 beta 6. I don’t use a screen protector.

It’s most apparent when I’m scrolling through websites or apps such as Reddit (but can happen anywhere on iOS) with a slower and a lighter swipe, same with pressing keys or buttons with a lighter touch. It’s not reproducible every time since the issue doesn’t happen every time. But when it does, it’s usually under these circumstances. It’s almost as if iOS doesn’t detect the touch unless a higher amount of force or faster swipe is registered. I don’t think it’s a standalone iOS issue since my 15 Pro Max works perfectly on 18.0.1. My guess is it’s a hardware-software interaction issue with the 16 screens and iOS. Having to press buttons multiple times is annoying, but the typos make it borderline unusable. I’ve never had so many typos in the 13+ years I’ve been using an iPhone.

Also interestingly enough, I tried the online touch screen test and it detects every swipe and touch, regardless of his slow or light it is.

 

[christer12]

I have a September build and can confirm it still is an issue.

For reference I initially had a Pro Max from Apple (preorder) which had the issue (no screen protector) that I ended up returning. Waited until 18.0.1 was released, bought another Pro Max from RedPocket which was backordered initially but just received (built in September). Unfortunately it has the same issue on both 18.0.1 and 18.1 beta 6.

It’s most apparent when I’m scrolling through websites or apps such as Reddit with a slower and a lighter swipe, same with pressing keys or buttons with a lighter touch. It’s almost as if iOS doesn’t detect the touch unless a higher amount of force or faster swipe is registered. I don’t think it’s a standalone iOS issue since my 15 Pro Max has none of these issues on 18.0.1. My guess is it’s a hardware-software interaction issue with the 16 screens and iOS. Having to press buttons multiple times is annoying, but the typos make it borderline unusable. I’ve never had so many typos in the 13+ years I’ve been using an iPhone.

What brand of screen protector do you use?

 

[ufsj]

What brand of screen protector do you use?

I don’t use one

 

[Fred Zed]

I popped into the Apple Store I was near today while at the mall. She ran a diagnostic test of the multitouch display while I was there and found no issues of course. I could not replicate the isssue while I was there, as I’m also having some screen glitches when I go to unlock the phone. She logged it while I was there that I had it looked at for the future. Well in preparation that I was maybe getting a replacement iPhone, I ordered new protectors. I was using the magic John screen protector at first and had the touch issues. Switched to a different screen protector just a little bit ago and I’m noticing a difference but too early to tell. I went caseless and screen protector less on my 15PM but had micro scratches and wanted to keep this one in a bit of a better mint condition so still caseless but still using protectors.

Fingers crossed this continues. I really really love this phone too much that I don’t want to go back to the 15 PM which I also hear it’s happening to. Let’s see, I am silently following along in this thread 👍

What’s this Magic Johnson screen protector that you are referring to?

 

[kat.hayes]

Settings>battery>Click on battery health, and it will show your build date. My new replacement is a September build with no touch issues with a screen protector.

Mine is September and no noticeable issues...I do not use a screen protector though

 

[SaveUsBatman]

What’s this Magic Johnson screen protector that you are referring to?

MAGIC JOHN Screen Protector

MAGIC JOHN 2 Pack for iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9 inch Privacy Tempered Glass Screen Protector, Auto Dust-Elimination, Bubble Free, Easy Installation

a.co

It’s pretty popular product cause of TikTok. Simple installation, 2 pack product. It was my first time using this brand.

The new protector I have on, still seems to be better. But it’s not 100% better. Still definitely think it’s software related.