IOS 17.5.1 touchscreen issue

It began with one of the the iOS 17 updates on my iPhone SE 3rd Gen (currently on IOS 17.5.1). The touch doesn't register in an area vertically on the iPhone screen with a width of about a centimeter (on the left side of the screen)

it goes away by its own sometimes and sometimes after force restarting. It is unpredictable when it will happen next and has become a major issue with using the phone.

can't answer incoming calls when locked due the slider being in that area, also can't power off for the same reason.

anyone with similar issues?

(it has been like this for about 2 months. thought it was a Hardware issue at first and many repair shops said the same. they recommended screen replacement, but kept it like that and after analyzing the situation came to the conclusion that it is most likely software related ; especially after reading about other software bugs on iOS 17)