If you followed the iPhone 15 series launch, you must be aware of the shocking ‘overheating issue’ that the latest iPhone 15’ models are experiencing. Limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max donning the new titanium frame, there have been countless reports of people claiming their handsets are getting overheated. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says it’s not due to the A17 Pro chipset but rather the inadequate thermal designs that both the models are carrying.
iPhone 15 Pros are getting overheated and here’s why
According to Kuo’s post on Medium, she mentioned how A17 Pro SoC is not responsible for the overheating issues. The A17 Pro is rather an efficient SoC made on TSMC’s 3nm node that brings more performance.
However, the culprit is the thermal design on-board iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max which is unable to dissipate the heat. For the unversed, the thermal design onboard the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max helps it dissipate the heat generated when the SoC is working intensively. Thus, more performance means more heat and that requires a cooling pad and other components in the thermal system to dissipate the heat.
When it comes to the iPhone 15 Pros, Apple had to cut-down on the heat dissipation area to bring the overall weight of the unit down. For instance, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max weigh 187g and 221g compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max’s 206g and 240g. It goes on to show how lighter the newer Pros are which means Apple made some changes in the design.
The new titanium frame is light yet strong which helps keep the weight at the lowest. However, the inadequate cooling pad, high heat generation from the SoC, and the lower heat conductivity of the titanium frame gave rise to the temperature of a particular unit. No doubt some of the Pro units are getting overheated when these forces join, leading to countless reports on forums such as Reddit and Twitter.
How to prevent iPhone 15 Pro from overheating
It’s important to note that not all iPhone users are experiencing overheating issues, but for those who are, it’s a genuine source of concern. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some steps to help you deal with it:
- Environmental Concerns: Avoid using your phone in hot and humid environments.
- Smart Breaks: Take regular breaks from prolonged use, especially when performing resource-intensive tasks such as gaming or streaming.
- App Vigilance: Monitor your open apps and close any that aren’t in use.
- Cooling Without a Case: If you notice your device heating up, consider removing it from its protective case.
- Shutdown for safety: Your iPhone is built to protect itself. If it becomes overheated, it will shut down automatically to prevent damage. If this happens, wait for it to cool down before using it again.
Apple, as is customary, is expected to release a software update to address the overheating issue in the near future. In the meantime, keeping your device cool may be the key to avoiding any unpleasant issues. While the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max promise technological brilliance, the question is whether they can withstand the heat.
Additionally, Kuo added that Apple will help with the throttling issue by releasing a software update soon although there are no dates available. The update should be able to limit the performance borne by the chipset, reducing the power requirements that will translate into less heat.
However, there are a lot of questions here. Base models of iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are selling at a price tag of $1,099 & $1,159 respectively which means paying a hefty sum for a phone that gets overheated as a huge buzzkill. Additionally, only some units are getting heated which means it is possible for Apple is use different cooling systems on both Pro and Pro Max. People are unable to replicate the iPhone 15 Pro overheating problem which begs the question as to why is it happening.
Well, we will find out the answers soon. Meanwhile, you can stay put on True-Tech for more such content.
