iPhone 15 Pro Owners Report Devices Getting Hot During Use

Some of the first owners of Apple's new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have reported that the devices get hot during use or while charging, a potential issue for Apple's latest flagship product.

Customers have taken to Apple support forums and social media to complain that the back or sides of the phones become hot to the touch during activities like gaming, phone calls, or FaceTime sessions. The overheating also occurs for some users while the phone is plugged in and charging.

Apple technical support representatives have been responding to calls about the problem by referring customers to an old iPhone support article about handling devices that feel too hot or cold. The notice states overheating can happen when using intensive apps, charging, or setting up a new device for the first time.

The iPhone makes up about half of Apple's total revenue, so any potential flaws with new models are closely scrutinized. In the past, some problems have required software updates or other fixes from Apple, while other concerns faded over time.

Apple has rigorous testing processes in place meant to catch any defects before iPhones enter mass production. However, it's not unusual for modern devices with powerful processors to generate significant heat. The key question is whether the warmth persists beyond what consumers consider acceptable.

The iPhone 15 Pro overheating could be caused or made worse by the setup process, which involves re-downloading apps, data, and photos from iCloud. This can be a long, processor and data-heavy procedure. Some users believe certain apps running in the background, like Instagram or Uber, may also contribute.

Several iPhone 15 Pro owners have posted videos checking the phone's temperature with a thermometer. Comments include "gets really hot easily" and "burning up." Some users said the phone got hot enough to be felt through a case. But the issue does not appear to be universal, as other customers report no problems or say the heat is typical.

One complaint indicated an iPhone 15 Pro Max got so hot it powered off during a call before taking minutes to restart. iPhones occasionally shut down when overheated or left in sunlight for too long.

Meanwhile, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo concluded the new A17 chip is not to blame but rather compromises in the iPhone 15 Pro's thermal system design. Kuo said solutions may be limited unless Apple throttles the A17's performance. He warned that prolonged overheating could hurt iPhone 15 Pro sales over time if not properly addressed.

The iPhone 15 Pro models debut a new A17 chip with enhanced graphics for gaming. It could be contributing to the reported heat issues. The latest iPhones also switch to a titanium frame from the stainless steel used since 2017, which may impact thermal performance.