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

[vinegarshots]

Look

View attachment 2475405

Okay, so...here's the thing. This may actually be a case of "you're holding it wrong," and it has nothing to do with the camera button. For the first half of the video, look under your thumb and notice how the pad of your palm is on top of the screen. If you hold your phone like this, it increases the chance that it will randomly pick up your palm as a multi-touch input and glitch out on the input. When you reposition your hand in the second half, it's working because your palm isnt on top of the screen anymore.

The palm-rejection algorithms are not foolproof, and the older phones had a little bit more margin for error because the bezels were larger.

I've actually wondered in the past if this could be the reason some people have issues with screen protectors on, because it adds height to the screen, which makes the screen closer to the palm if you hold your phone in a similar way...

 

[makoru]

Let’s go to dfu

Did they give you the new phone?

 

[Vanarak19]

I dont think newer devices have this issue. It seems to me that only the earliest ones were affected. I’m right on the cusp with October 2024 battery manufactured, but even my phone has no touch issues.

Bought mine a few days ago. Same issue

 

[joedajoester]

I’ve had this issue since launch. The edges of the screen reject taps too aggressively. Try to tap the backspace button on the right half of it. It’s entirely dead to touch. Noticing this on two other 16 pro max’s that friends have. And notice this too on both a 15 and 14 pro max.

Now that’s one issue, a worse issue im having is the touch screen is low sensitivity. If I press the screen light enough, it does nothing. I have experienced this when I have my phone resting to take a photo and I tap the shutter. It absolutely does not respond to touch until there is force involved to the point where it knocks over my phone. This is noticeable in daily use as well. I have to remember to force my fingers down.

Another issue is double tapping to skip ahead in YouTube or other apps. It ignores the double tap completely at random times. And I have to smack my finger repeatedly and it’s very frustrating. It seems like an inch inwards from the edge of the display does not like being tapped at all.

 

[vinegarshots]

I’ve had this issue since launch. The edges of the screen reject taps too aggressively. Try to tap the backspace button on the right half of it. It’s entirely dead to touch. Noticing this on two other 16 pro max’s that friends have. And notice this too on both a 15 and 14 pro max.

Now that’s one issue, a worse issue im having is the touch screen is low sensitivity. If I press the screen light enough, it does nothing. I have experienced this when I have my phone resting to take a photo and I tap the shutter. It absolutely does not respond to touch until there is force involved to the point where it knocks over my phone. This is noticeable in daily use as well. I have to remember to force my fingers down.

Another issue is double tapping to skip ahead in YouTube or other apps. It ignores the double tap completely at random times. And I have to smack my finger repeatedly and it’s very frustrating. It seems like an inch inwards from the edge of the display does not like being tapped at all.

On your first point, that’s an iOS thing.

On your second point, the iPhone touchscreen doesn’t work off of pressure in the slightest — it works off of electrical capacitance. So if you think pressing harder is having an effect, you’re imagining it

 

[AppleAura]

I’ve had this issue since launch. The edges of the screen reject taps too aggressively. Try to tap the backspace button on the right half of it. It’s entirely dead to touch. Noticing this on two other 16 pro max’s that friends have. And notice this too on both a 15 and 14 pro max.

Now that’s one issue, a worse issue im having is the touch screen is low sensitivity. If I press the screen light enough, it does nothing. I have experienced this when I have my phone resting to take a photo and I tap the shutter. It absolutely does not respond to touch until there is force involved to the point where it knocks over my phone. This is noticeable in daily use as well. I have to remember to force my fingers down.

Another issue is double tapping to skip ahead in YouTube or other apps. It ignores the double tap completely at random times. And I have to smack my finger repeatedly and it’s very frustrating. It seems like an inch inwards from the edge of the display does not like being tapped at all.

This aligns well with my experience. Interestingly, the Dynamic Island is able to react to the lightest of touches. Notice how it expands slightly.

 

[Amirrock]

I'm almost sure that the camera button is interfering because when my hand is not around and near the button, the touch works well even if the bottom of my hand is in contact with the screen. I'm sure that all iPhone 16 Pro Max have this problem because on 4 I tested another phone and the result was the same. Today, I put the original transparent case of Apple until 90% of the problem was solved. I think it is because of the cover it has for the camera button

 

[cristianro]

I have the same issues and its worse with a screen protector. But the screen Apple uses scratches so easily. I am on 18.3 beta RC and the issue is still there. If there was a software issue i would think would been addressed by now. I think is the LG screen they use for the 16 PM. From what i heard the 16P are not having any touch issues. Been with apple since iphone 3G, but maybe i should give Samsung a chance.

 

[vinegarshots]

I'm almost sure that the camera button is interfering because when my hand is not around and near the button, the touch works well even if the bottom of my hand is in contact with the screen. I'm sure that all iPhone 16 Pro Max have this problem because on 4 I tested another phone and the result was the same. Today, I put the original transparent case of Apple until 90% of the problem was solved. I think it is because of the cover it has for the camera button

Incorrect. I can put my finger all over the camera button and it has never once interfered with touch input

 

[Amirrock]

All the 16 Pro Max that I saw and tested had this problem, maybe a few do not have this problem

Incorrect. I can put my finger all over the camera button and it has never once interfered with touch input

 

[richard371]

I decided to just remove my screen protector. I don’t think I have much of a touchscreen issue but occasionally I feel it misses a light tap. I have apple care and a case anyway and trade in every year.

 

[MagneticResonance]

Did they give you the new phone?

Ho bro.
The update for new iPhone…
24h without protection and it seems good phone very quickly but with beta 18.3 seems quit same!
Now I use the Belkin ultraglass 2 0.27mm
I think.
In some app i have same problems.
I Belive that for you are sure that another iPhone 16 pro max is perfect without lose touch I dont belive it.
This year with new iPhone was very ****!
Batteri built october

 

[joedajoester]

This aligns well with my experience. Interestingly, the Dynamic Island is able to react to the lightest of touches. Notice how it expands slightly.

Just tested this and YES the island seems more sensitive than other parts of the display, especially edges.

On your first point, that’s an iOS thing.

On your second point, the iPhone touchscreen doesn’t work off of pressure in the slightest — it works off of electrical capacitance. So if you think pressing harder is having an effect, you’re imagining it

While what you said is true about it being capacitance, it definitely does not register until I tap harder. It seems to not recognize light taps until I “mush” more of my finger onto the display. I am not imagining it when I have to press hard enough that my phone falls from where it’s resting when taking a picture.


Another thing to add, zollotech in his 18.3 video from today, he says 18.3 RC has improved the “edge touch issue” for him. Anyone on 18.3 able to confirm?

 

[makoru]

I decided to just remove my screen protector. I don’t think I have much of a touchscreen issue but occasionally I feel it misses a light tap. I have apple care and a case anyway and trade in every year.

Ho bro.
The update for new iPhone…
24h without protection and it seems good phone very quickly but with beta 18.3 seems quit same!
Now I use the Belkin ultraglass 2 0.27mm
I think.
In some app i have same problems.
I Belive that for you are sure that another iPhone 16 pro max is perfect without lose touch I dont belive it.
This year with new iPhone was very ****!
Batteri built october

Thanks for the report. I practically have no issues without a screen protector. I think iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pro, having narrower bezels and larger screens, experience this problem. I’ve tested them all—friends’ devices and store models—and the missed touch issue appears in certain situations, though less and less over time. For most people, it’s imperceptible. I believe it’s a software issue that has been gradually fixed to adapt apps to the new format. Bad experience.

 

[MagneticResonance]

Thanks for the report. I practically have no issues without a screen protector. I think iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pro, having narrower bezels and larger screens, experience this problem. I’ve tested them all—friends’ devices and store models—and the missed touch issue appears in certain situations, though less and less over time. For most people, it’s imperceptible. I believe it’s a software issue that has been gradually fixed to adapt apps to the new format. Bad experience.

Perfect, my friend, everything i think!
This year apple have many problems but it is thinking at AI.

 

[Jutah]

Just tested this and YES the island seems more sensitive than other parts of the display, especially edges.

I just tested it myself after our friend’s post, and I can confirm it’s the same for me. The Dynamic Island is more responsive.

Another thing to add, zollotech in his 18.3 video from today, he says 18.3 RC has improved the “edge touch issue” for him. Anyone on 18.3 able to confirm?

I don’t trust what he says very much. Even in the video about the release of 18.2, he claimed that the update had fixed the touch issues, but there was no mention of this bug fix in the official changelogs.

 

[ExploRichie]

16 Pro Max 256GB Black November build also light touch issues. …

 

[MagneticResonance]

I changed my iPhone with another battery built October.
It’s 3th for me.
First 24h very good device.
It seems another phone…
It passed 48h and the touch issue are the same.
I think that if you have a hardware problem you must have always issue, not after restart, or when you change phone or after dfu.
All it’s strange, and I’m sure that all have a few problem with touch.

 

[ExploRichie]

Yes I hope it’s a software issue …

 

[ExploRichie]

Which screen protector is the best for sensitivity?
In the moment I using the JeTech Full screen protectors for the 16 Pro Max.
Really light sensitivity still annoying …

 

[vinegarshots]

I changed my iPhone with another battery built October.
It’s 3th for me.
First 24h very good device.
It seems another phone…
It passed 48h and the touch issue are the same.
I think that if you have a hardware problem you must have always issue, not after restart, or when you change phone or after dfu.
All it’s strange, and I’m sure that all have a few problem with touch.

Put the phone flat on a desk so that you’re not holding it with your other hand, and then see if you still have the touch issues. I’m still curious if this is due to parts of people’s hands overlapping the screen in different spots

 

[ExploRichie]

The touch sensitivity have nothing to do with that bro 😳

Go to this site and the with really really light presses. 15 Pro Max recognizes it and the 16 Pro Max need a little bit more force to touch …

Touchscreen Test

Dieser Test passt sich an jede Touchscreen-Größe an, sodass du alle Bereiche des Bildschirms überprüfen kannst, egal ob du ein Telefon oder ein Chromebook benutzt.

www.onlinemictest.com

Put the phone flat on a desk so that you’re not holding it with your other hand, and then see if you still have the touch issues. I’m still curious if this is due to parts of people’s hands overlapping the screen in different spots

 

[Amirrock]

In this case, the crown works well for me, but I don't know if it could be because of the camera button or the lower hand impact

 

[Amirrock]

Put the phone flat on a desk so that you’re not holding it with your other hand, and then see if you still have the touch issues. I’m still curious if this is due to parts of people’s hands overlapping the screen in different spots

In this case, the crown works well for me, but I don't know if it could be because of the camera button or the lower hand impact

 

[ExploRichie]

The sensitivity is definitely lower than on the 15 Pro Max.