Apple’s latest iPhone models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, have been plagued with complaints of overheating shortly after their release. However, Apple was able to resolve the issue through a software update, iOS 17.0.3. Despite this fix, rumors suggest that the upcoming iPhone 16 will feature a hardware solution to address the overheating problem.
Certain variations of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro were prone to overheating to the extent that they became uncomfortable to hold. Apple attributed this issue to poorly optimized software and promptly released a software patch to rectify the problem. However, it seems that Apple is also considering more effective cooling measures for future models.
While it is impossible to implement a hardware change in the current iPhone 15 lineup, @KosutamiSan, a reliable Apple leaker, claims that Apple is actively working on a solution for the iPhone 16. According to the leak, Apple may incorporate a graphene heat sink and a metal battery case to enhance heat transfer and promote better cooling.
The iPhone’s compact size limits the space available for additional components, particularly bulky or heavy heat sinks. Graphene, a material known for its exceptional thermal conductivity, could serve as an ideal heat sink due to its conductivity being ten times greater than copper.
Since iPhones do not include fans for active cooling, heat dissipation occurs passively through the device’s frame into the surrounding air. Heat sinks play a crucial role in this process by efficiently transferring heat away from undesirable areas. By utilizing graphene as a heat sink, the iPhone 16 would be able to handle higher levels of heat more efficiently than the existing cooling mechanism.
Apple has explored various cooling methods in the past but has mostly relied on different heat sink designs. Previously, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the use of vapor chambers, while a patent hinted at the possibility of magnets as a cooling solution. However, these options were deemed impractical and costly, requiring substantial design alterations. If the rumors about Apple adopting graphene as a cooling solution for the iPhone 16 are accurate, it could be the perfect remedy to prevent overheating.
It is worth noting that @KosutamiSan has a track record of leaking accurate information, such as USB-C components for the iPhone 15. However, there have been occasional inaccuracies, like the supposed iPhone 15 Pro Thunderbolt cable. As a result, the reliability of this leak is considered possible but not definitive.
