Apple has responded to the widespread complaints of overheating issues with its newly released iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The company, in a statement to CNET, attributed the problem to a combination of factors, primarily a software bug within iOS 17.
Apple clarified that the overheating problems are not related to the physical design of the new phones, despite their titanium frame and aluminum substructure. These materials were actually chosen for their superior heat dissipation properties when compared to the stainless steel used in previous Pro models.
Shortly after the iPhone 15 series became available for purchase, numerous users reported instances of their devices overheating or becoming uncomfortably hot to the touch. Some users even shared infrared thermometer readings showing temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
During a review of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the author noted that they didn’t experience overheating issues under regular usage. However, they did observe that the iPhone 15 Pro Max became notably warm when charged with a 140W power adapter from a MacBook Pro or during extended gaming sessions.
Apple acknowledged the existence of a few conditions that could lead to the iPhone running warmer than expected. Firstly, it noted that the device may feel warmer during the initial days after setup or a device restore due to increased background activity. Secondly, a bug within iOS 17 has been identified as contributing to the problem and will be addressed in a future software update. Lastly, Apple mentioned that recent updates to certain third-party apps have been causing overloading of the system, which results in increased device temperature. The company is actively working with these app developers to release fixes.
One tech reviewer shared a video showing his iPhone 15 Pro Max rapidly reaching a temperature of 98 degrees Celsius within minutes of opening the Instagram app. This issue was also observed on an iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 17.
Apple clarified that the overheating associated with some third-party apps like Instagram, Asphalt 9, and Uber is due to these apps overloading the CPU of the A17 Pro chip. As a solution, Apple is collaborating with third-party developers to implement fixes. For instance, Instagram released an updated version of its app on September 27 in response to this issue.
Apple did not provide a specific timeline for the release of the software update addressing the iOS 17 bug but assured users that the fix will not compromise the iPhone’s performance.
Regarding charging, Apple stated that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are compatible with any USB-C adapter complying with the USB-C standard, including USB Power Delivery. The iPhone regulates its charging to a maximum of 27W, and when using a 20W or higher charger, the device may temporarily become warmer as a result.
