iPad Pro iPad Pro left side heat?

[JPizzzle]

Hey all,

I recently had my 11” pro swapped out by apple and noticed that the left side glass along the border tends to get warmer than the rest of the device with use. It’s pretty noticeable and don't think it was happening with my 6 month old one. Anyone else experience this?

JP

 

[sallythemac]

Freaky - I literally just came to the forums to look up this issue. I am experiencing right now for the first time, and this is the newest thread I came to! Had my iPad swapped about 2-3 weeks ago.

 

[JPizzzle]

Freaky - I literally just came to the forums to look up this issue. I am experiencing right now for the first time, and this is the newest thread I came to! Had my iPad swapped about 2-3 weeks ago.

Glad we found each other haha. If you do a google search it seems like others have experienced this and it might be software related. I just don’t remember my original iPad having this issue, however I purchased it off someone preowned. Maybe the battery needs time to calibrate ‍♂️

 

[sallythemac]

Glad we found each other haha. If you do a google search it seems like others have experienced this and it might be software related. I just don’t remember my original iPad having this issue, however I purchased it off someone preowned. Maybe the battery needs time to calibrate ‍♂️

I found a couple of other threads on here with people reporting it too. Does it happen regularly? First time I have noticed. Only different right now is I am using a Personal Hotspot instead of normal WiFi, but don’t see how that could make a difference. Will wait and see if it changes after 12.4 drops.
[doublepost=1561118096][/doublepost]The iFixit tear down shows the display controllers are on the left, so it’s likely something display related.

 

[AutomaticApple]

The iFixit tear down shows the display controllers are on the left, so it’s likely something display related.

Hmm, white spot developing maybe?

 

[JPizzzle]

Hmm, white spot developing maybe?

No white spot

 

[Falhófnir]

Odd as the logic board with all the usual significant heat generating components is in the centre of the device. If it wasn't something you noticed happening with your previous unit, perhaps speak to someone at Apple about it?

 

[TheRealAlex]

No white spot

Same here the excess heat, Apple store swapped out my 11” Pro for a new one. Genius tech said it a known issue due to the cpu chipset heat not transferring properly to the back of the iPad Pro and spreading since that’s why the whole iPad Pro is one big Aluminium heat spreader. The cpu chipset has unattached itself or not transferring the heat so it just gets hotter and hotter instead of just warm and spreading the heat, which eventually causes throttling and slow downs.

 

[JPizzzle]

Same here the excess heat, Apple store swapped out my 11” Pro for a new one. Genius tech said it a known issue due to the cpu chipset heat not transferring properly to the back of the iPad Pro and spreading since that’s why the whole iPad Pro is one big Aluminium heat spreader. The cpu chipset has unattached itself or not transferring the heat so it just gets hotter and hotter instead of just warm and spreading the heat, which eventually causes throttling and slow downs.

So does your new one have the issues?

 

[TheRealAlex]

So does your new one have the issues?

Not even. Even when using Asphalt 9 or editing 4K video

 

[NoBoMac]

Aw heck! Classic iPads have had this issue as well over the years.

Older ones, I've noticed when hammering wifi. Current Classic, cool, as a data point.

Heats gotta go somewhere, and as mentioned re: teardowns, not great re: heatsinks in them.

 

[JPizzzle]

Hmmm.. some say normal some say it’s an issue. Maybe just swap it out with Genius Bar. However, I have a good screen so don’t want to play the “lottery.”

 

[kazmac]

Same here the excess heat, Apple store swapped out my 11” Pro for a new one. Genius tech said it a known issue due to the cpu chipset heat not transferring properly to the back of the iPad Pro and spreading since that’s why the whole iPad Pro is one big Aluminium heat spreader. The cpu chipset has unattached itself or not transferring the heat so it just gets hotter and hotter instead of just warm and spreading the heat, which eventually causes throttling and slow downs.

Thank you for posting this. I wonder if that’s why mine develop touch irresponsiveness. All of them got excessively warming on the sides.

Just happened with my 2018 iPad now too, and I started having issues in Procreate as a result.

What did you say to them? And did you have to recreate this for them in the store?

 

[TheRealAlex]

Thank you for posting this. I wonder if that’s why mine develop touch irresponsiveness. All of them got excessively warming on the sides.

Just happened with my 2018 iPad now too, and I started having issues in Procreate as a result.

What did you say to them? And did you have to recreate this for them in the store?

Yes, I waited til it got really un responsive to touch. And left it alone til the next day. It was hard but if you show up when the store opens without an appointment you are in and out in 30 minutes. It was hard leaving the iPad sit for a day.
Upon running their diagnostics it got really hot.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Hey all,

I recently had my 11” pro swapped out by apple and noticed that the left side glass along the border tends to get warmer than the rest of the device with use. It’s pretty noticeable and don't think it was happening with my 6 month old one. Anyone else experience this?

JP

Yes. I have it on the 12.9 inch.

 

[sallythemac]

I have isolated my issue to the display brightness. When the ambient light sensor kicks in and ups the brightness the iPad heats up. I realised this issue was only happening when using the iPad near bright sunlight, like a window. If it is used in the evening, just with a lamp on in the room, can perform the same tasks without issue.

Now to work out if it’s a software issue or a hardware issue.

Is anyone running 12.4 and have this issue?

 

[kazmac]

Yes, I waited til it got really un responsive to touch. And left it alone til the next day. It was hard but if you show up when the store opens without an appointment you are in and out in 30 minutes. It was hard leaving the iPad sit for a day.
Upon running their diagnostics it got really hot.

Thank you very much.

 

[sallythemac]

Not even. Even when using Asphalt 9 or editing 4K video

Would you mind testing something on your replacement for me?

Can you try turning the brightness up to full and using an app (doesn’t have to be intensive, but with a light rather than dark background/UI) without letting the display sleep for 5-10 mins. Does the centre left of the display (feeling from the glass) get hot?

 

[JPizzzle]

Mine seems to get a little warm just from regular web surfing with low brightness 30%. Just not as hot as full brightness or heavy processing apps. But then again so does my iPhone X I’m typing on. Perhaps my expectations are unrealistic ‍♂️

 

[sallythemac]

Mine seems to get a little warm just from regular web surfing with low brightness 30%. Just not as hot as full brightness or heavy processing apps. But then again so does my iPhone X I’m typing on. Perhaps my expectations are unrealistic ‍♂️

My concern is the area that’s getting warm. Heat is the by product of power used. The logic board runs down the centre, flanked by two battery cells. If the unit was getting warm anywhere along the centre, I wouldn’t be concerned as those are where the components which use the most power and therefore generate heat.

The location the iPad is getting hot is around the TCON (red chip) or the LCD power controller (orange chip). My guess would be the latter, as the issue for me is consistent with the increased brightness of the LCD.

I am 95% sure it is a hardware issue, but the only way to be sure would be to test another iPad on full brightness and check whether the temperature in this area was comparable. I never noticed this on my original iPad before it was swapped, so I am assuming it is a fault with this one. But if anyone who has had a swap can try the brightness on full test I suggest above, that would be helpful.

Same here the excess heat, Apple store swapped out my 11” Pro for a new one. Genius tech said it a known issue due to the cpu chipset heat not transferring properly to the back of the iPad Pro and spreading since that’s why the whole iPad Pro is one big Aluminium heat spreader. The cpu chipset has unattached itself or not transferring the heat so it just gets hotter and hotter instead of just warm and spreading the heat, which eventually causes throttling and slow downs.

Sounds like the Genius was making it up - as what he says just doesn’t fit with the component locations inside. However, if the swap fixed it, doesn’t really matter.

 

[JPizzzle]

My concern is the area that’s getting warm. Heat is the by product of power used. The logic board runs down the centre, flanked by two battery cells. If the unit was getting warm anywhere along the centre, I wouldn’t be concerned as those are where the components which use the most power and therefore generate heat.

The location the iPad is getting hot is around the TCON (red chip) or the LCD power controller (orange chip). My guess would be the latter, as the issue for me is consistent with the increased brightness of the LCD.

I am 95% sure it is a hardware issue, but the only way to be sure would be to test another iPad on full brightness and check whether the temperature in this area was comparable. I never noticed this on my original iPad before it was swapped, so I am assuming it is a fault with this one. But if anyone who has had a swap can try the brightness on full test I suggest above, that would be helpful.



Sounds like the Genius was making it up - as what he says just doesn’t fit with the component locations inside. However, if the swap fixed it, doesn’t really matter.

Maybe swing by apple or Best Buy to compare?

 

[Cubsfan16]

I have had my 12.9 2nd gen since December and never noticed this. Ever since the last software update I started to feel the left side getting really hot. I’m not sure if I should wait for the next software update to see if it fixes it or just take it to the Apple Store.

 

[JPizzzle]

I’ve read before that software has caused heating issues, but can’t imagine it being so isolated to an area. I have a Genius Bar appt tomorrow, but don’t want to swap for something with worse problems. As wasn’t pointed out the brightness makes a big difference. Max brightness will cause it to noticeably heat up on the left after about 5-10 min of general use.

 

[Cubsfan16]

I’ve read before that software has caused heating issues, but can’t imagine it being so isolated to an area. I have a Genius Bar appt tomorrow, but don’t want to swap for something with worse problems. As wasn’t pointed out the brightness makes a big difference. Max brightness will cause it to noticeably heat up on the left after about 5-10 min of general use.

I've had mine on max brightness since day 1 and it hasn't had a heat issue until recently. It leads me to believe it has to be some kind of software issue since a bunch of people noticed it around the same time.

 

[Smici]

Mine also heat up on full brightness (>80%) where the display driver are. And this is like from the first day. But I nearly never use it on this high of brightness.

3rd gen Pro 12.9