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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | September 07, 2024 (Expected) |
| 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 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| OS | iOS v18 |
| Chipset | Apple Bionic A17 |
| CPU | Octa Core Processor |
| GPU | Apple 4 Core GPU |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
| 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 |
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 3500 mAh, Li-ion Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, 25W MagSafe |
| Music Playback Time | 100 hours |
Users have experienced significant overheating, particularly noticeable when using certain apps and during charging, reminiscent of handling an overly hot object.
iOS 17.0.3 update resolved the primary bug causing overheating, improving the situation significantly for users experiencing discomfort and rapid battery drain.
Titanium’s inferior heat conductivity compared to steel may hinder effective heat dissipation, as suggested by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
High battery usage can occur when restoring the device from a backup, downloading large media libraries, and using apps with high background activity.
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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