Apple is grappling with customer complaints of overheating issues in its latest iPhone models, adding a layer of concern just a week after the highly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro made its debut, showcasing cutting-edge chips. Thousands of Apple customers have voiced their concerns on various online platforms, including Apple’s customer support pages, Reddit, and social media, reporting that their newly acquired iPhone 15 Pro and its larger sibling, the Pro Max, are running excessively hot to the touch.
Over 2,000 users on Apple’s community forum have shared their experiences of overheating problems, with one frustrated customer noting, “I just got the iPhone 15 Pro today and it’s so hot I can’t even hold it for very long!” Another user expressed their discomfort, stating, “Listening to Spotify while using iMessage and it’s uncomfortably hot in my hands caseless. Even with a case, it’s quite warm. This is pretty alarming as I’ve owned every iPhone since the 6 and never experienced this type of issue.”
However, not all iPhone 15 buyers have encountered this problem, and some attribute the overheating concerns to factors like using inexpensive charging cables, heavy usage of video or gaming apps, or a temporary increase in processing demands during initial device setup.
Apple has yet to comment on these reports officially. According to information on its customer support pages, iPhones may become warm during their initial setup, when using wireless charging, or while running graphics-intensive or processor-intensive applications.
The iPhone 15 Pro is a groundbreaking device as it is the first mass-market consumer product built around Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s new 3nm chip technology. This chip, known as the A17 Pro, has been hailed by Apple as “game-changing” and represents a significant redesign in the company’s history for rendering graphics and video games. Moreover, the higher-tier iPhone models, priced at a minimum of $999, feature titanium cases instead of the traditional aluminum or steel.
While some experts speculate that the overheating issues may not be directly related to TSMC’s advanced 3nm node technology, they believe the problem could be associated with the iPhone’s thermal system design. Changes in the thermal system, such as a reduced heat dissipation area and the use of a titanium frame for lighter weight, may negatively impact thermal efficiency. Analysts suggest that Apple could potentially address the issue through a software update, although this might lead to a performance trade-off. Failure to adequately resolve the problem could impact iPhone sales.
Coinciding with these concerns, Wall Street analysts have noted lower demand for Apple’s high-end iPhones compared to the previous year. This trend is particularly evident in China, where regional economic pressures and the launch of competitive products may be contributing factors. On the other hand, the standard iPhone 15 models appear to be enjoying stronger sales compared to their predecessors, possibly due to consumers opting for more affordable alternatives in a period of rising inflation.
As Apple navigates these overheating complaints and assesses their potential impact, it remains to be seen how the company will address this issue and whether it will affect the overall reception of its latest iPhone models.