iPhone 15 Overheating Issue: Apple Promises Update

Adrian Mühlroth

October 2, 2023, 12:33 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Reports are piling up on social media about iPhone 15 models heating up to more than 113 degrees Fahrenheit during normal use. Now, Apple itself is addressing the incidents.

The launch of the new iPhone seems to be off to a rocky start. According to the experiences of buyers of the standard and Pro models, Apple is facing a series of problems. In addition to apparent quality control issues, both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have an overheating problem. The company is now responding and promises improvements in the form of a future update.

More than 113 Degrees During Normal Use

In some cases, the new iPhone is said to heat up to more than 113 degrees Fahrenheit, as users have been able to determine with a thermal camera or thermometer. As reported by TECHBOOK, the Pro models of the iPhone 15 are particularly affected by the overheating issue. However, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus also apparently exhibit elevated temperatures.

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Contrary to what might be expected, the overheating does not occur during gaming or while charging. Instead, the problem seems to arise during normal use.

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Updates Aimed at Solving iPhone 15 Overheating Issue

Contrary to speculation on social media, the hardware in the new iPhone 15 models does not appear to be responsible. Apple confirms to Forbes and MacRumors that a number of factors can cause the overheating:

In the days following initial setup, the iPhone can become “warmer than expected” due to increased background activity.
Apple has identified a bug in iOS 17 that is to be fixed with a software update.
An issue with third-party app updates can “overload the system.” According to Forbes, apps such as Instagram, Uber, and the racing game Asphalt 9 are included. Apple is working with developers on bug fixes for the affected apps.

According to MacRumors, Apple also stated that the new titanium casing of the iPhone 15 Pro is not responsible for the overheating issue. Instead, the combination of an aluminum subframe and titanium band can dissipate heat better than the previous stainless steel casing. The company also assures that it will not reduce the performance of the A17 Pro to curb heat development. However, supply chain expert Ming-Chi Kuo doubts whether a significant reduction in temperature is possible without limiting chip performance.

Instagram has already received an update to app version 302.0 to address the issue. When an iOS update will follow is still unclear. Apple is currently working on the beta version of iOS 17.1–its launch could still take some time. A smaller update in the form of iOS 17.0.3 is more likely, as Apple has already fixed minor bugs with iOS 17.0.1 and 17.0.2.

TECHBOOK has asked Apple for a statement but has not yet received a response.

Sources

Forbes: “Apple iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Exclusive: Apple Comments” (accessed October 2, 2023)
MacRumors: “Apple Says iPhone 15 Pro’s Titanium Frame Does Not Contribute to Overheating Issue” (accessed October 2, 2023)

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.