Highlights
- Apple releases iOS 17.0.3 to tackle overheating in the iPhone 15 series.
- iPhone 16 rumoured to feature a graphene-based thermal management system.
- New metal bracket design around the iPhone 16 battery for improved heat dissipation.
- Skepticism remains about the unconfirmed hardware changes in the upcoming iPhone 16.
The iPhone 15 series encountered significant overheating problems shortly after its launch.
This issue was not isolated to a specific model; it affected the entire range, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and the Pro variants.
Users reported extreme temperatures, with some devices becoming too hot to handle comfortably.
Now Apple has finally released a software update, iOS 17.0.3, which is aimed at addressing these concerns by rectifying software bugs and enhancing app optimization to prevent overheating.
Graphene-Based Cooling in iPhone 16
But even before the software optimisations, Apple is actively working on a more permanent solution to the overheating issue for its next-generation iPhone 16.
One of the key developments is the introduction of a graphene-based thermal management system.
This new system is expected to be a significant upgrade from the current copper heat sink technology used in the iPhone 15 series.
The graphene-based system promises to be more efficient in dispersing heat, potentially resolving the overheating problem more effectively.
Enhanced Heat Dissipation with New Battery Design
In addition to the graphene cooling system, Apple is rumoured to incorporate a new design element in the iPhone 16 – a metal bracket surrounding the battery.
This change is speculated to improve heat dissipation, particularly for the device’s central processing unit and the battery.
By redesigning the physical structure around these components, Apple aims to ensure better thermal management, contributing to the overall performance and user experience.
Caution and Anticipation
While these developments are promising, it is essential to approach them with a degree of caution.
The information about the iPhone 16’s new features comes from leaks and has not been officially confirmed by Apple.
Given that the iPhone 15 series was only recently released, the details regarding the iPhone 16 are still emerging.
As the expected launch date in the latter half of 2024 approaches, more concrete information about the device and its features is anticipated to become available.
iPhone 15 Key Specs
GENERAL
| Country of Origin | India |
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | September 12, 2023 |
DESIGN
| Dimensions | 71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 171 g |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color Super Retina XDR OLED (1B Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 1179 x 2556 pixels, 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 |
| PPI | ~ 460 PPI |
| Glass Type | Ceramic Shield front, Colour-infused glass back |
| Features | Dolby Atmos, Haptic Touch, 1,000 nits max brightness (typical), 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR), 2,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), True Tone display, 20,00,000:1 contrast ratio (typical),HDR display |
| Notch | Yes, Dynamic Island |
MEMORY
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| 5G Bands | Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n77, n78, n79 |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Wifi Version | Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.3 |
| USB | Yes, USB-C v2.0 |
| USB Features | USB Tethering, USB Charging |
EXTRA
| GPS | yes with A-GPS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou |
| Fingerprint Sensor | No |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Compass, Gyroscope, TrueDepth |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Lightning |
| Extra | NFC |
| Water Resistance | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Dust Resistant | Yes |
| Extra Features | Ultra Wideband Chip, Voice Isolation, Satellite Services , Road Side Assistance, Emergency SOS, Crash Detection footnote, Spatial Audio playback, Supports Dolby Atmos, Aluminium design,, Wide Spectrum microphone modes |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 48 MP f/1.6 (Main) 12 MP f/2.4 (Ultra Wide) with autofocus |
| Features | Super-high-resolution photos, (24MP and 48MP), Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control, 4x optical zoom range, Night mode, Stereo recording, Audio zoom, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Photo geotagging, Burst mode, Photographic Styles, 12MP 2x Telephoto (enabled by quad-pixel sensor) |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 60 fps FHD, 4K @ 24/25/30/60 fps UHD |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED |
| Front Camera | 12 MP f/1.9 with Retina Flash |
| Front Video Recording | 4K @ 60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 60 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | iOS v17 |
| Chipset | Apple Bionic A16 |
| CPU | 3.46 GHz, Hexa Core Processor |
| Core Details | 2×3.46 GHz Everest & 4×2.02 GHz Sawtooth |
| GPU | Apple GPU |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos |
| Video | HEVC, H.264 and ProRes, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 3349 mAh, Li-ion Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, 15W MagSafe Charging |
| Music Playback Time | 80 hours |
iPhone 16 Key Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | September 07, 2024 (Expected) |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color OLED Screen (1B Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 1200 x 2600 pixels, 120 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| PPI | ~ 447 PPI |
| Features | Super Retina XDR Display, HDR Display, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), Haptic Touch, 1200 Nits Max Brightness (HDR), Support for Display of Multiple Languages and Characters Simultaneously |
| Notch | Yes, Small Notch |
MEMORY
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| 5G Bands | 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n77, n78, n79) |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Wifi Version | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.4, A2DP, LE |
| USB | Yes, Lightning Port |
| USB Features | USB on-the-go, USB Charging |
EXTRA
| GPS | yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| Fingerprint Sensor | No |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Barometer, Three‑axis Gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Lightning |
| Extra | NFC |
| Water Resistance | Yes, 6 m upto 30 min |
| IP Rating | IP69 |
| Dust Resistant | Yes |
| Extra Features | Satellite Connectivity, Crash Detection |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 48 MP f/1.5 (Main) 12 MP f/2.4 (Ultra Wide) with autofocus |
| Features | Panorama, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Burst Mode, Photo Geotagging |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 24/25/30/60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 25/30/60 fps FHD |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED |
| Front Camera | 12 MP f/1.9 (TrueDepth) with Retina Flash |
| Front Video Recording | 4K @ 60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 60 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | iOS v18 |
| Chipset | Apple Bionic A17 |
| CPU | Octa Core Processor |
| GPU | Apple 4 Core GPU |
| IP Rating | IP69 |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | AAC‑LC, HE‑AAC, HE‑AAC v2, Protected AAC, MP3, Linear PCM, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital (AC‑3), Dolby Digital Plus (E‑AC‑3), Dolby Atmos and Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+) |
| Video | HEVC, H.264, MPEG‑4 Part 2 and Motion JPEG, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 3500 mAh, Li-ion Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, 25W MagSafe |
| Music Playback Time | 100 hours |
FAQs
What was Apple’s immediate response to the iPhone 15 overheating issue?
Apple quickly released a software update, iOS 17.0.3, to address the overheating issues reported in the iPhone 15 series. This update focused on fixing software bugs and optimizing app functionalities to reduce heat generation.
How is Apple planning to prevent overheating in the iPhone 16?
For the iPhone 16, Apple is reportedly developing a new graphene-based thermal management system. This system is expected to be more efficient in heat dissipation compared to the copper heat sink used in the iPhone 15.
What additional hardware change is expected in the iPhone 16 for better cooling?
Alongside the new thermal system, the iPhone 16 is rumoured to include a metal bracket around the battery. This design is anticipated to aid in more effective heat dissipation, particularly for the device’s chip and battery.
Also Read: Why is the iPhone 15 Pro Priced Higher in India? Unpacking the Cost Factors
Also Read: iPhone 15 Battery Introduces Smart Limit to Curb Charging Above 80 percent