iPhone 15 Pro Max Thermalgate (yup, it's happening): Pics of how you're coping

[StudioMacs]

The OP seems very dedicated in blaming Apple for various issues, calling it a gate, even reaching back to the iPhone 4 and he brings up the macbook keyboards. Acting all scientific about it, explaining why 3nm is at fault, the internal structure and how Apple has messed it up by design. The hardware being structurally build so that it will heat up more, telling us how Apple will fix this with the next phones. But then dismissing people who report having no problems at all. How can this be when the issue is allegedly by design? Perhaps it’s really just the OP holding it wrong or using faulty apps like Instagram, which might not be optimized for iOS 17

take a look

also the other people on youtube, running benchmarks and performing heat test don’t seem to find much of a difference compared to a 14 pro max in terms of peak heat, and it even runs cooler while charging.

Stop victim blaming!

We paid our money for these phones, so it’s our right to complain. The more we complain, the more attention we can get!! It’s also a lot more fun than troubleshooting.

 

[Prof. Alsvanouds]

The OP has legitimate posts here, I don't get why everyone is giving him such a hard time! I have the 15 Pro Max and it definitely gets hotter than the 14 Pro Max I had before it. It's noticeable for sure. I haven't had the temperature issue myself, but I definitely noticed it being hotter (and lighter) than last years model.

Same here. My 15P feels warm just from browsing these posts. Never had that with any new iPhone, not even in the first weeks.

 

[Wildkraut]

This all reads like Resident Evil will run awesome on iP15. /s

Well perhaps for 1min, until the thermal throttle kicks in.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

The OP has legitimate posts here, I don't get why everyone is giving him such a hard time! I have the 15 Pro Max and it definitely gets hotter than the 14 Pro Max I had before it. It's noticeable for sure. I haven't had the temperature issue myself, but I definitely noticed it being hotter (and lighter) than last years model.

My objection is that IMO we all need to use new devices for a few weeks at least before sensationalizing our early experiences into social media headlines like

"Thermalgate (yup, it's happening): Pics of how you're coping"​

replete with ice cream photos.

 

[StudioMacs]

My objection is that IMO we all need to use new devices for a few weeks at least before sensationalizing our early experiences into social media headlines like

"Thermalgate (yup, it's happening): Pics of how you're coping"​

replete with ice cream photos.

Apple ThermalGate​

And we think you’ll love it…

 

[toobravetosave]

My objection is that IMO we all need to use new devices for a few weeks at least before sensationalizing our early experiences into social media headlines like

"Thermalgate (yup, it's happening): Pics of how you're coping"​

replete with ice cream photos.

So if they wait a few weeks to say the exact same thing youll be happy?

 

[alFR]

What amazes me is that a bunch of randos on forums think they know better than literally hundreds of engineers whose actual job it is to design phones and who have collectively been doing so since 2007. I mean, how likely is it really that a major issue with the thermal design of the most important product that Apple makes, the one mainly responsible for them being amongst the most valuable companies on the planet, got missed in testing especially if it’s really widespread and severe? Not very, in fact it’s vanishingly unlikely. Much more likely to be a batch of faulty parts that somehow got through QC or a software issue than a design problem.

 

[toobravetosave]

What amazes me is that a bunch of randos on forums think they know better than literally hundreds of engineers whose actual job it is to design phones and who have collectively been doing so since 2007. I mean, how likely is it really that a major issue with the thermal design of the most important product that Apple makes, the one mainly responsible for them being amongst the most valuable companies on the planet, got missed in testing especially if it’s really widespread and severe? Not very, in fact it’s vanishingly unlikely. Much more likely to be a batch of faulty parts that somehow got through QC or a software issue than a design problem.

You must not frequent many products if you think obvious issues don’t routinely make it to production

 

[Rafterman]

What amazes me is that a bunch of randos on forums think they know better than literally hundreds of engineers whose actual job it is to design phones and who have collectively been doing so since 2007. I mean, how likely is it really that a major issue with the thermal design of the most important product that Apple makes, the one mainly responsible for them being amongst the most valuable companies on the planet, got missed in testing especially if it’s really widespread and severe? Not very, in fact it’s vanishingly unlikely. Much more likely to be a batch of faulty parts that somehow got through QC or a software issue than a design problem.

You're holding it wrong.

 

[jetjaguar]

Are you browsing the net by any chance using cellular connectivity ? Aka not WiFi?

Wondering if it’s the cellular modem that’s causing the heating issue since many have stated it happens during phone calls.

Wifi

 

[kp98077]

When I charge my 15 pro and my car, it gets very very hot and it won’t open emails or any webpages. It’s very frustrating!!

 

[DMG35]

Dude, do yourself and everyone else in here a favor and just return it.

 

[Fat_Guy]

What amazes me is that a bunch of randos on forums think they know better than literally hundreds of engineers whose actual job it is to design phones and who have collectively been doing so since 2007. I mean, how likely is it really that a major issue with the thermal design of the most important product that Apple makes, the one mainly responsible for them being amongst the most valuable companies on the planet, got missed in testing especially if it’s really widespread and severe? Not very, in fact it’s vanishingly unlikely. Much more likely to be a batch of faulty parts that somehow got through QC or a software issue than a design problem.

Everything was worked out to spec.


Then TSMC told Apple they screwed up and made a pile of crappy chips and wanted to throw them out and grow some more.


Apple would therefore have to delay the pro-line so they figured on using the craptastic TSMC rejects for the time being even though they would now run hotter.


Of course this has to be total fabrication. So please disregard…

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Really disappointed that the things my 14PM did without any problem/complaint in room temperature environments (you know, just basic stuff like syncing the day's iCloud photos, charging on the reg) now involve "iPhone needs to cool down". I've thrown out all the wireless chargers to try and help reduce heat, but that's not really helping much, either.

So, I've decided to store my iPhone here. A bit inconvenient, yes, but also delicious, because now I just eat ice cream every time I need to charge my phone, get my phone, or the like. Next thread: app recommendations to help manage cholesterol, hahaha.

Other ideas? I'm really not thrilled about putting fridges/freezers/ice packs everywhere I use my phone to just basically use the damn $1,600 thing when last year's $1,600 thing did this just fine and Apple thought I "needed" Titanium for some reason, because, what, that 15g weight they saved makes any difference at all? They've more than offset that 15g "saving" with the fact they have broken daily, regular usage of the phone by using terrible thermal design (that I challenge anyone to really, truly, say without laughing at themselves that they couldn't handle that 15g difference...). And that's a feat, b/c Ti has better thermal performance all other things equal....it seems that the reduction of internal surface area to further save weight maybe causing this issue, but of course, I have no doubt that Apple (and/or the fanboi crowd) will have endless advice on how "I'm using it wrong", it's "normal" behavior, or something (I know, I probably shouldn't take pictures with my iPhone and expect it to sync it with iCloud at room temperature...pretty unreasonable, and it is totally normal for just a photo sync to require a trip to the freezer to keep the device within normal operating temperatures).

Show me your serious (or not so serious) ways of helping your new, amazing Titanium iPhone Paperweight Edition keep its cool (just don't put it on paper when it's too hot, or it may become iPhone Lighter-in-more-than-just-weight Edition).

I go the other way, I embrace the warmth. Yesterday I was hungry so watched 3 mins of instagram stories and cooked my hot pocket on the back of my pro max. 3:30 will leave it a little burnt though, just FYI.

 

[tekchic]

I go the other way, I embrace the warmth. Yesterday I was hungry so watched 3 mins of instagram stories and cooked my hot pocket on the back of my pro max. 3:30 will leave it a little burnt though, just FYI.

iPhone as toaster oven. I'm here for it! 🤣

 

[weezor]

I go the other way, I embrace the warmth. Yesterday I was hungry so watched 3 mins of instagram stories and cooked my hot pocket on the back of my pro max. 3:30 will leave it a little burnt though, just FYI.

It’s instagram. Same thing happens with iPhone 14 pro. Watch the video linked here

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/thermalgate-yup-its-happening-pics-of-how-youre-coping.2405114/post-32569389

 

[teh_hunterer]

And everyone else who is having this problem? Anything is possible. Rather, the more probable explanation, esp after seeing teardowns, etc, is that they reduced the surface area of the internal frame and boxed themselves into some really unsavory thermals despite Ti being a more effective conductor.

So, yeah, the software fix will likely just throttle the CPU/GPUs

Doubt it. My 15PM heats up less frequently than my 14PM, and doesn't heat up as much during gaming either. This issue is almost certainly software/firmware and your assertions that it's a hardware issue don't hold water.

There definitely are weird Apple fanboys that will make up any excuse possible so as not to admit an issue truly exists, gaslighting and the whole 9 yards - however I think you're probably annoying some normal people as well by claiming that it's definitely a hardware issue. How is it a hardware issue if plenty of people can't replicate the issue at all? I don't doubt it's happening to you, I just doubt it's a hardware issue.

 

[Fat_Guy]

I stopped by the Apple Store near me before I bought a cheap bottle of wine.


Yup, they were all warm to hot! Im not getting one now but that was my experience three minutes ago…

 

[yustas]

The winter is coming. We got a hand warmer that makes phone calls and occasionally you can browse the web if it isn't too hot. What is not to like?

 

[kp98077]

I stopped by the Apple Store near me before I bought a cheap bottle of wine.


Yup, they were all warm to hot! Im not getting one now but that was my experience three minutes ago…

Try charging it too in the car . 💥

 

[raythompsontn]

It is well known that hot air rises. So Apple, in attempt to make the phone lighter, makes the phone hotter. That way the air in the phone will be lighter thus making the phone lighter. So getting hot is a feature, not a flaw.

 

[Orangeman13]

My 15PM works great - doesn't get warm at all.

 

[Agilis]

Really disappointed that the things my 14PM did without any problem/complaint in room temperature environments (you know, just basic stuff like syncing the day's iCloud photos, charging on the reg) now involve "iPhone needs to cool down". I've thrown out all the wireless chargers to try and help reduce heat, but that's not really helping much, either.

So, I've decided to store my iPhone here. A bit inconvenient, yes, but also delicious, because now I just eat ice cream every time I need to charge my phone, get my phone, or the like. Next thread: app recommendations to help manage cholesterol, hahaha.

Other ideas? I'm really not thrilled about putting fridges/freezers/ice packs everywhere I use my phone to just basically use the damn $1,600 thing when last year's $1,600 thing did this just fine and Apple thought I "needed" Titanium for some reason, because, what, that 15g weight they saved makes any difference at all? They've more than offset that 15g "saving" with the fact they have broken daily, regular usage of the phone by using terrible thermal design (that I challenge anyone to really, truly, say without laughing at themselves that they couldn't handle that 15g difference...). And that's a feat, b/c Ti has better thermal performance all other things equal....it seems that the reduction of internal surface area to further save weight maybe causing this issue, but of course, I have no doubt that Apple (and/or the fanboi crowd) will have endless advice on how "I'm using it wrong", it's "normal" behavior, or something (I know, I probably shouldn't take pictures with my iPhone and expect it to sync it with iCloud at room temperature...pretty unreasonable, and it is totally normal for just a photo sync to require a trip to the freezer to keep the device within normal operating temperatures).

Show me your serious (or not so serious) ways of helping your new, amazing Titanium iPhone Paperweight Edition keep its cool (just don't put it on paper when it's too hot, or it may become iPhone Lighter-in-more-than-just-weight Edition).

Hope Apple sees this thread and voids your warranty. Your attempt at being funny just comes off silly. "Thermalgate" is not a thing. You just don't use your phone properly and expect that if you're consuming all the iOS resources by browsing every social media app non-stop that the phone should be cold.

 

[Boeingfan]

It’s boggling to see someone post and so many respond with ‘it’s fake, it’s not a flaw, it’s attention seeking, it’s first world problems’.

Just because only a small few may be having an issue does not mean the issue may not exist.

 

[Boeingfan]

“Hope Apple sees this thread and voids your warranty.”

What a nasty thing to say.