Non-responsive touch at far right of iPhone5 screen

Question

Hello,
I've now received a second brand new iPhone5 that continues to show the same problem. Even a recent visit to an Apple Store left the staff baffled and unable (or unprepared/disinterested) to answer.  The issue relates to the iPhone5's inability to respond to touch at the very far right edge of the screen.    The rest of the screen is fine...just the far right.
The problem is highlighted when attempting to use the vertical alphabetic index that sits on the far right when attempting to quickly select a 'contact' or a 'music track'.   The problem is particularly annoying with the intermittent response to the letter 'P' on the pop up QWERTY keyboard which will only response if I jab it several times or touch slightly to the left of the letter.   The best Apple staff could offer is that the iPhone5 has a longer screen and that this has strectched the content more towards the centre and away from the right edge.  I know that you, like me, can see that this is nonsense. 
I've just replaced an iPhone 3GS for the iPhone5 and the earlier model had no problem.  Apple have suggested that I just need to click a little further to the left of the 'letter' for it to work, i.e. don't bother touching the letter direct??  Seems a lame excuse to me.  I've checked this with a few friends with new iPhones who have never had an iPhone before and they thought this was 'normal'.
Of course I have performed 2 factory resets via iTunes and 4 master resets on the handset to no avail.
So before I attempt to a third replacement phone from Orange I thought I'd ask my wise friends on this community for their view.  I'd therefore be grateful to know if you have experienced similar problems with iPhone5 or whether you consider the poor touch responsive to be 'normal' and that I'm just being fussy.
Thanks in anticipation.  
Steve
p.s. Isn't it shameful that Apple Stores are not yet selling iPhone5 cases, cables and lightning connectors?  My local Store at Westfield, Stratford, London could only apologise profusely and confess to feeling more than embarrassed.  

Answer 1

This is not expected behavior for the device. I've just tried it on mine and as long as you touch some part of the key you should have the device react appropriately. Even slightly touching the right edge of the "P" key box should result in the appropriate action.
It is highly unusual to have two phones that are experiencing the same issue and in most cases many people would suggest an issue with the operator or the environment that it's being used in, so be prepared if you take the phone in for another Genius Bar session.
In your case however, you seem pretty competent! Yay! and you've had experience with an iPhone before so you know how it should function.
I'd first offer that it's a possible software issue which is being carried over from your original device through a backup, but you have already done a factory restore with setup as a new device which would eliminate that possiblity.
Double check to make sure the original plastic cover has been removed (you'd be suprised at how many people leave this on). If you have a screen protector, try removing it and seeing if the phone functions any better as these can affect the touch response of the screen.
If it continues at this point..... I'd think it'd be reasonable to say there is a hardware problem with your phone.
Apple's own support document states this:
"Tip: To isolate an issue related to a portion of the Multi-Touch display, follow these steps:
Open the Maps application and double-tap each corner, then the center, to verify that it zooms in to each section.
If a specific area is affected in another application, note the location and try to verify touch functionality for that location in the Maps application.
On iPhone and iPod touch, you can also use Calculator:
Open the calculator app to test all but the top row of the screen. Press each button on the calculator and verify activity.
To test the area at the top of the screen, rotate the device to change to the scientific calculator and press the buttons in the left or right two rows."
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Troubleshooting touchscreen response
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1827
Use this information to demonstrate the issue to the Apple Retail Employees what troubleshooting steps you have followed and how Apple's Support document sugguests you should proceed.
I hope this helps.
EDIT: It should also be noted that none of the iPhone's have an "edge to edge" screen so there is a tiny bit of bezel at the left and right side of the screen.