iPhone 16 Series May Tackle Overheating with Graphene Vapour Chamber

HomeTech NewsiPhone 16 Series May Tackle Overheating with Graphene Vapour Chamber

Highlights

  • iPhone 15 Pro series faces overheating issues, especially when charging.
  • Apple considers using titanium casing, raising heat dissipation concerns.
  • Rumours suggest a graphene vapour chamber could cool future iPhone models.
  • Apple’s exploration of advanced thermal management aims to enhance user experience.

Apple’s release of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models hasn’t gone down as smoothly as the company would have liked.

As per reports, users have been vocal about the devices’ tendency to overheat, a problem initially so severe it drew comparisons to handling a freshly microwaved Hot Pocket.

This issue was particularly pronounced when running certain applications, such as Instagram and Uber, leading to an uncomfortable user experience and accelerated battery depletion.

Thankfully, the deployment of iOS 17.0.3 in early October addressed the primary bug causing this overheating, providing much-needed relief to users.

iPhone 15 Pro’s Titanium Casing Causing Heat

iPhone 15 Pro’s Titanium Casing Causing Heat
iPhone 15 Pro’s Titanium Casing Causing Heat

However, some owners of the iPhone 15 Pro series have continued to report excessive heat during use, particularly while charging.

Ming-Chi Kuo, usually the top dog when it comes to Apple news, has suggested that the choice of titanium for the handset’s casing could be exacerbating the issue, given the material’s inferior heat conductivity compared to steel.

In contrast, Samsung has proactively addressed similar concerns with its Galaxy S24 Ultra by significantly enlarging the vapour chamber (VC) by 92% compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

iPhone 15 Pro series faces overheating issues
iPhone 15 Pro series faces overheating issues

The S24 Ultra also uses Titanium for its frame but the enhanced VC has offset most of the heating issues.

Looking at these issues, Apple’s response to ongoing thermal management challenges are likely evolve, with rumours suggesting that the company is finally incorporating a vapour chamber in future iPhone models.

Graphene Vapour Chamber on iPhone 16 Series?

iPhone 16 Series May Tackle Overheating with Graphene Vapour Chamber
iPhone 16 Series May Tackle Overheating with Graphene Vapour Chamber

Apple has reportedly been exploring the idea of VCs on iPhones since 2021.

For the uninitiated, a VC  operates by absorbing internal heat and converting a contained liquid into gas, which then cools and recondenses, cycling back to cool the device’s processor effectively.

Graphene is renowned for its exceptional thermal conductivity and could represent a significant advance over the graphite pads currently employed, promising enhanced heat dissipation and potentially mitigating the overheating issues that have plagued earlier models.

Apple has reportedly been exploring the idea of VCs on iPhones since 2021
Apple has reportedly been exploring the idea of VCs on iPhones since 2021

Apart from, among the anticipated innovations, there are also reports emerging of a metal shell for the battery, which could offer improved thermal properties and a graphene layer attached to the processor.

As Apple continues to push the boundaries of smartphone technology, effective thermal management remains a critical consideration, both for user comfort and device performance.

The transition to materials like graphene could mark a significant step forward in addressing these challenges, ensuring that future iPhones can deliver the high-performance, user-friendly experience that customers expect.

Rumours suggest a graphene vapour chamber could cool future iPhone models
Rumours suggest a graphene vapour chamber could cool future iPhone models

Apple iPhone 16 Specs

GENERAL

Sim Type Dual Sim, GSM+GSM
Dual Sim Yes
Sim Size Nano + eSIM
Device Type Smartphone
Release Date September 07, 2024 (Expected)

DISPLAY

Type Color OLED Screen (1B Colors)
Touch Yes
Size 6.12 inches, 1200 x 2600 pixels, 120 Hz
Aspect Ratio 20:9
PPI ~ 447 PPI
Features Super Retina XDR Display, HDR Display, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), Haptic Touch, 1200 Nits Max Brightness (HDR), Support for Display of Multiple Languages and Characters Simultaneously
Notch Yes, Small Notch

MEMORY

RAM 8 GB
Storage 128 GB
Card Slot No

CONNECTIVITY

GPRS Yes
EDGE Yes
3G Yes
4G Yes
5G Yes
5G Bands 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n77, n78, n79)
VoLTE Yes
Wifi Yes, with wifi-hotspot
Wifi Version Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth Yes, v5.4, A2DP, LE
USB Yes, Lightning Port
USB Features USB on-the-go, USB Charging

EXTRA

GPS yes with A-GPS, Glonass
Fingerprint Sensor No
Face Unlock Yes
Sensors Barometer, Three‑axis Gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor
3.5mm Headphone Jack Lightning
NFC Yes
Water Resistance Yes, 6 m upto 30 min
IP Rating IP69
Dust Resistant Yes
Extra Features Satellite Connectivity, Crash Detection

CAMERA

Rear Camera 48 MP f/1.5 (Main)
12 MP f/2.4 (Ultra Wide) with autofocus
Features Panorama, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Burst Mode, Photo Geotagging
Video Recording 4K @ 24/25/30/60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 25/30/60 fps FHD
Flash Yes, Dual LED
Front Camera 12 MP f/1.9 (TrueDepth) with Retina Flash
Front Video Recording 4K @ 60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 60 fps FHD

TECHNICAL

OS iOS v18
Chipset Apple Bionic A17
CPU Octa Core Processor
GPU Apple 4 Core GPU
Java No
Browser Yes

MULTIMEDIA

Email Yes
Music AAC‑LC, HE‑AAC, HE‑AAC v2, Protected AAC, MP3, Linear PCM, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital (AC‑3), Dolby Digital Plus (E‑AC‑3), Dolby Atmos and Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+)
Video HEVC, H.264, MPEG‑4 Part 2 and Motion JPEG, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG
FM Radio No
Document Reader Yes

BATTERY

Type Non-Removable Battery
Size 3500 mAh, Li-ion Battery
Fast Charging Yes
Wireless Charging Yes, 25W MagSafe
Music Playback Time 100 hours

FAQs

What overheating issues have iPhone 15 Pro series users reported?

Users have experienced significant overheating, particularly noticeable when using certain apps and during charging, reminiscent of handling an overly hot object.

How has Apple addressed the iPhone 15 Pro series’ overheating issues?

iOS 17.0.3 update resolved the primary bug causing overheating, improving the situation significantly for users experiencing discomfort and rapid battery drain.

Why might the titanium casing in iPhone 15 Pro models contribute to overheating?

Titanium’s inferior heat conductivity compared to steel may hinder effective heat dissipation, as suggested by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

What solution is Apple rumoured to be considering for future iPhone models to manage heat?

Apple is rumoured to be incorporating a vapour chamber in future models, potentially using graphene for its exceptional thermal conductivity to mitigate overheating issues effectively.

How does a vapour chamber work in smartphones?

A vapour chamber operates by absorbing internal heat, converting liquid to gas to cool down, and then recondensing, effectively pulling heat away from critical components like the processor.

What was Apple’s immediate response to the iPhone 15 overheating issue?

Apple quickly released a software update, iOS 17.0.3, to address the overheating issues reported in the iPhone 15 series. This update focused on fixing software bugs and optimizing app functionalities to reduce heat generation.

How is Apple planning to prevent overheating in the iPhone 16?

For the iPhone 16, Apple is reportedly developing a new graphene-based thermal management system. This system is expected to be more efficient in heat dissipation compared to the copper heat sink used in the iPhone 15.

What additional hardware change is expected in the iPhone 16 for better cooling?

Alongside the new thermal system, the iPhone 16 is rumoured to include a metal bracket around the battery. This design is anticipated to aid in more effective heat dissipation, particularly for the device’s chip and battery.

What happened to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the recent overheating incident?

A Reddit user reported that their iPhone 15 Pro Max overheated while charging overnight, resulting in a melted charging cable, burn marks on the device, and a burn injury to the user’s finger.

The phone’s USB-C port also got fused with the metal part of the charging cable.

Is it safe to use non-certified charging cables with the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

The incident underscores the risks associated with using non-certified charging cables.

Apple recommends using either its own cables or MFi-certified cables to ensure safety and prevent damage, as cheaper, uncertified cables can lead to hazards like overheating.

Can the iPhone 15 Pro Max still be used after such an overheating incident?

While the device might still function and could potentially be charged using a MagSafe wireless charger, the safety of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is questionable after such severe overheating.

Professional assessment and repair at an Apple-certified center are strongly advised.

What should owners of the iPhone 15 Pro Max do if they encounter similar issues?

In case of overheating or any damage caused by charging, iPhone 15 Pro Max owners should immediately visit an Apple Store or a certified repair center.

Attempting to remove a fused charging cable or self-repair can be dangerous and might cause further damage.

Why is the iPhone 15 series overheating?

Apple has identified that the new devices run hotter during the initial setup process and pointed out specific third-party apps like Asphalt 9, Uber, and Instagram as contributors to the issue.

What is causing the faster-than-expected battery drain on iPhone 15 and 15 Pro?

High battery usage can occur when restoring the device from a backup, downloading large media libraries, and using apps with high background activity.

How to Alleviate Overheating Issues?

Limit your use of Uber and Asphalt 9 until updates are made available that address the issue.

Ensure Instagram is updated to its latest version, which was released on September 26 and reportedly fixes the problem.

If you encounter overheating while using other apps, consider halting their use or updating them to the latest versions.

Apple has signaled that a forthcoming iOS release, possibly version 17.0.3 (release date unconfirmed), will offer a comprehensive solution to the overheating issue.

Also Read: Apple Shares Dip Amid Concerns Over iPhone 16 Demand and Market Outlook

Also Read: iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Overheating and Battery Drain: What You Need to Know

Also Read: iPhone 15 Pro Max Overheating Causes Charging Cable to Melt

Also Read: Apple Addresses iPhone 15 Overheating with Software Update, Plans Hardware Revamp for iPhone 16

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