Rumor: Faulty flash memory in select iPhone 6 & 6 Plus units prompts Apple to make switch [u]

Posted:
in iPhone edited December 2014
Apparent memory issues found in a select number of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus units are rumored to have prompted Apple to change to a different type of NAND flash technology when manufacturing new units moving forward [update: rumors were incorrect].



A number of users reached out to AppleInsider weeks ago to highlight the issues, which appeared to mostly affect iPhone 6 Plus users with exceptionally large application libraries. Specifically, the 128-gigabyte iPhone 6 Plus appears to be the most affected model.

[Update: a source close to Apple has clarified that user-reported issues with large capacity iPhone 6 models are very rare, and that the company does not have any plans to recall the phones due to "faulty hardware," and that there is not a defect in the Anobit components those models use. The source of the rumor is a minor publication in Korea that is said to have close ties to Samsung.

Users experiencing problems should report issues to AppleCare, but shouldn't be concerned about the rumors of "faulty hardware." The issue is likely to be addressed in a future iOS update, but AppleInsider could not determine a specific schedule for when the issue might be addressed.]

Those complaints align with new details published Friday by Business Korea, which alleges that the defects also plague some 64-gigabyte iPhone 6 models. The issue is said to be related to the use of triple-level cell NAND flash memory built by Anobit, a company that Apple acquired in 2011.

While triple-level cell NAND can store more data in a smaller space, it's also slower than other NAND flash technologies. Given the apparent issues with the TLC NAND used in some iPhone models, Apple is rumored to have switched to multi-level cell NAND flash in the 64-gigabyte iPhone 6 and 128-gigabyte iPhone 6 Plus.

In addition, Friday's report suggested that Apple's forthcoming iOS 8.1.1 update will also help address the boot issues that have affected some iPhone 6 Plus users.

Some forum members and AppleInsider readers have taken their problematic iPhone 6 Plus in to an Apple Store for assessment. In some cases, Geniuses exchange the non-functional unit, while others have been told to hold on to their phone as their repair ticket escalates up the tech support chain of command. Few have reported success with new iPhone 6 Plus replacements.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 92
    kpluckkpluck Posts: 500member
    You guys may want to do a little more research next time...
    http://************/2014/11/04/debunk-128gb-iphone-6-plus-recall-false-crashing-bug-rare/

    The domain is 9-to-5-mac-com. Apparently AppleInsider prefers you not be properly informed by their competitors.

    -kpluck
  • Reply 2 of 92

    I could have this, but I'm not likely to find out, as I have 42.9GB free of the 56GB available.

     

    I suppose if I download every movie and app I've ever had, I might use 20GB...

  • Reply 3 of 92
    Ha!

    Each day that goes past makes me glad that I've bypassed the 6. How gratifying that the Plus always seems to be the butt of the faults.

    If you want a phone that constantly reboots and bends in your pocket, get the Plus!
  • Reply 4 of 92
    Ha!

    Each day that goes past makes me glad that I've bypassed the 6. How gratifying that the Plus always seems to be the butt of the faults.

    If you want a phone that constantly reboots and bends in your pocket, get the Plus!

    See the #2 comment. Also, YouTube bending galaxy phone.
  • Reply 5 of 92
    jkichlinejkichline Posts: 1,369member
    My 128 GB iPhone 6 Plus is working great. No issues at all and using a good bit of the size.
  • Reply 6 of 92
    icoco3icoco3 Posts: 1,474member

    It is cool to be first but sometimes, wait a couple months and let any bugs work themselves out, then get it.

     

    Also, over the Christmas season, many resellers offer great deals of $70 or more off so you also get to save money.

  • Reply 7 of 92
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by icoco3 View Post

     

    It is cool to be first but sometimes, wait a couple months and let any bugs work themselves out, then get it.

     

    Also, over the Christmas season, many resellers offer great deals of $70 or more off so you also get to save money.




    Yeah, but I got $200 for an iPhone 4...a price I couldn't have gotten even if I'd gold plated mine. Worth it to get it at launch, IMO.

  • Reply 8 of 92
    Why do Viber video clips not save in photo gallery with iOS 8.1?
  • Reply 9 of 92
    sirlance99sirlance99 Posts: 1,301member
    An editor from The Verge has an iPhone 6 that bent in an official iPhone case.

    Sources:

  • Reply 10 of 92
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SirLance99 View Post



    An editor from The Verge has an iPhone 6 that bent in an official iPhone case.



    Sources:






    He probably shouldn't sit on it then. I don't get people that stick anything but tools in their back pocket (and that should be for short term holding). I used to get people's credit cards when I worked retail that were curved from being in their wallet, which they kept in their back pocket. Half the time they didn't even work. The owner was usually oblivious to that fact though. 

  • Reply 11 of 92
    sirlance99 wrote: »
    An editor from The Verge has an iPhone 6 that bent in an official iPhone case.

    Sources:


    Wow. BendGate is not over yet.
  • Reply 12 of 92
    sirlance99sirlance99 Posts: 1,301member

    He probably shouldn't sit on it then. I don't get people that stick anything but tools in their back pocket (and that should be for short term holding). I used to get people's credit cards when I worked retail that were curved from being in their wallet, which they kept in their back pocket. Half the time they didn't even work. The owner was usually oblivious to that fact though. 

    Wait!? What!? So, you're saying that someone who handles all types of technology on a daily basis for a living AND The Verge has a strong Apple bias, doesn't know how to properly handle a phone? What planet are you from? This is a person who knows not to sit on a phone.
  • Reply 13 of 92
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SirLance99 View Post





    Wait!? What!? So, you're saying that someone who handles all types of technology on a daily basis for a living AND The Verge has a strong Apple bias, doesn't know how to properly handle a phone? What planet are you from? This is a person who knows not to sit on a phone.



    The Verge does not have an Apple bias. At all. They're not as anti-Apple as Engadget is these days, but there is most definitely not a pro-Apple bias there.

     

    Has he confirmed he didn't sit on it? No?

  • Reply 14 of 92
    flaneurflaneur Posts: 4,526member
    sirlance99 wrote: »
    Wait!? What!? So, you're saying that someone who handles all types of technology on a daily basis for a living AND The Verge has a strong Apple bias, doesn't know how to properly handle a phone? What planet are you from? This is a person who knows not to sit on a phone.

    Strong Apple bias at the Verge? You're funny.

    Can you explain how he bent the phone? You seem to have inside knowledge.
  • Reply 15 of 92
    yes bending and bad memory on 6 plus, recently discovered Apple Bot, os x/ios WireLurker virus, bumpy launch of the apple pay... Are you guys still buying and holding AAPL?? The dividend is also peanuts. Cue and others just sold their stock I believe it was yesterday, right ahead of the highly anticipated dividend pay:)))

    The novelty of the smart phone that propelled AAPL at an amazing pace is gone since 2011/2012.
  • Reply 16 of 92
    flaneurflaneur Posts: 4,526member
    Wow. BendGate is not over yet.

    You seem overjoyed. Understandable, since I'm sure you were beginning to question your prowess as a keen observer, being almost alone here in your bent fetish. What happened to your only pal pazuzu, by the way?
  • Reply 17 of 92
    nagrommenagromme Posts: 2,834member
    Whataver the cause, the 64 GB iPhone 6 Plus is affected too (in my case). Sad to say. Fingers crossed for 8.1.1, but if a hardware swap is needed, so be it.
  • Reply 18 of 92
    fallenjtfallenjt Posts: 4,056member
    Ha!

    Each day that goes past makes me glad that I've bypassed the 6. How gratifying that the Plus always seems to be the butt of the faults.

    If you want a phone that constantly reboots and bends in your pocket, get the Plus!
    I hope it's just sarcasm. If not, you sound like a troll. Having been with many iPhone models, I can say iPhone 6+ is the best one so far and I like it very much.
  • Reply 19 of 92
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member

    It’s a rumor coming out of Korea for God’s sake. Can’t you put 2+2 together? This is the same Korean site that announced a massive recall of iPhone 6s just last week, only to be proven FUD. 

     

    http://www.imore.com/128-gb-iphone-6-plus-and-ridiculous-recall-allegations

     

    The fact that this is all coming out of Korea should be a red flag. But no, it’s the gospel truth because, well, it’s on the Internet and couldn’t possibly be an orchestrated campaign by some Korean company who is currently beleaguered.

  • Reply 20 of 92
    fallenjtfallenjt Posts: 4,056member
    flaneur wrote: »
    Strong Apple bias at the Verge? You're funny.

    Can you explain how he bent the phone? You seem to have inside knowledge.
    Don't even argue with idiots if I were you.
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