Apple may finally adopt a heat dissipation technology that has been used in Android devices for some time. According to leaker Majin Bu, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could feature a vapor chamber cooling system, marking a significant evolution in iPhone thermal management.
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A Copper Plate
Majin Bu recently shared a photo of a copper thermal plate that is supposedly part of a new cooling system. This prototype is intended for the Pro models of the iPhone 17 lineup, expected to be released in September 2025.
If true, this component would replace the graphite sheets currently used in iPhones. The shift aims to better manage the heat produced by the A19 Pro chip, especially during demanding tasks such as gaming, photo/video editing, or prolonged use of onboard AI.
Proven Technology in the Competition
This could rekindle some jokes from a certain South Korean competitor. Indeed, the vapor chamber is not new to the mobile industry: high-end smartphones like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra (and also Xiaomi 14 Pro) already use it to optimize performance without overheating.
The mechanism is straightforward yet effective: a sealed liquid inside a metal chamber evaporates due to heat, the vapor spreads to dissipate the heat, then condenses to restart the cycle. Apple’s goal would thus be to enhance thermal stability in the Pro iPhones without compromising their sleekness or battery life, which are critical factors for the brand. And especially for the iPhone 17 Air.
Caution with the Rumor
While Majin Bu has been accurate recently about certain features in iPadOS 26 (like the Mac-style menu bar), he has also been mistaken in the past—specifically about the arrival of Stage Manager on iPhone. Therefore, it’s prudent to treat this leak with the traditional grain of salt (especially during this summer period when rumors are rampant). Moreover, there’s currently no evidence to confirm that the shared photo indeed shows a component of the iPhone 17 Pro.
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