The Google Pixel 2 XL isn't the only 2017 flagship having display-related problems. Apple's $999 iPhone X is now also reported to have similar issues, particularly with touchscreen responsiveness.
Since last week, there have been a growing number of complaints about the iPhone X's screen becoming unresponsive when used in cold weather.
iPhone X Touchscreen Stops Working In Cold Weather
Some owners on Reddit and the MacRumors forums have noticed their iPhones stop registering touch inputs when exposed to cold climates. Apple has acknowledged the issue and says that it's planning to release a software update to fix it.
"This will be addressed in an upcoming software update," Apple said in a statement, as The Loop reports.
Possible Causes
Unlike the Pixel 2 XL's blue tint, burn-in, and grainy display issues, the iPhone X's touch problem doesn't seem to be rooted on hardware. As one Reddit user shares, locking then unlocking the phone restores its responsiveness. Perhaps the phone detects its surrounding temperature and a bug causes it to deliberately decrease touchscreen sensitivity as a result. Others speculate it is caused by changes in light picked up by the TrueDepth camera system.
According to Apple's official guide, "[u]sing an iOS device in very cold conditions outside of its operating range might temporarily shorten battery life and could cause the device to turn off. Battery life will return to normal when you bring the device back to higher ambient temperatures." There is no mention of touchscreen malfunctioning under cold climates, though.
Not all iPhone X users are experiencing problems with the display in cold weather, and it's important to keep in mind that those who see it occur find that unresponsiveness only triggers when the phone is suddenly brought into cold exposure. This seems to suggest that it's indeed a software issue. Most users have said that the problem disappears after several minutes.
iPhone X Touchscreen Fix Release Date
Apple has failed to give an exact release schedule for the software fix, but it could arrive alongside iOS 11.2, which is currently in the hands of beta testers. Apple just recently launched iOS 11.1.1, which addresses the iPhone autocorrect bug that caused "i" to correct to "A" on some devices.
Save for this new issue and the now-fixed autocorrect bug, the iPhone X launch seems to be a general success for Apple, which is a notable achievement given the phone's steep price tag. How's your iPhone X so far? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
