Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature
Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat dissipation area and titanium frame have negatively impacted the thermal efficiency of the devices.

Apple is expected to address the thermal issues through software updates, but improvements will be limited unless Apple plans to lower processor performance. Kuo believes that if Apple is unable to "properly address this issue," shipments could be impacted over the life cycle of the ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro.

There have been reports about the ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro models becoming hot to the touch, and some tests have suggested that when this happens, the processor is throttled in order to cool the ‌iPhone‌ down. These tests have been benchmarks and extreme use cases that may not impact users in day-to-day life, but it remains to be seen how the ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro models will run console-quality games like Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
31 months ago
Compromises in a pro device? Never acceptable.

On a positive note, it’ll come in very handy in winter as a fancy hand warmer.
Score: 78 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redbeard331 Avatar
31 months ago
Apple radiator, only 299.99, get it while it’s hot!



Attachment Image
Score: 77 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
31 months ago
These will sell like hot cakes!
Score: 56 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cableguy84 Avatar
31 months ago
This phone sounds like a complete wet duck. Glad i kept my 13 pro max
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itfmac Avatar
31 months ago

“Hot to the touch”

So people are equating hot = overheating?

Anything for clicks and paranoia.
My camera literally stopped working because it was too hot last night, but sure, paranoia.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apples Apples Everywhere Avatar
31 months ago
It's good to see some acknowledgement of this problem. Its real.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)