iPhone 17 Pro to Feature Vapor Chamber Cooling System Amid 'Critical' Heat Issue [Rumor]

A new leak claims to offer a closer look at the advanced cooling system Apple is developing for its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models, suggesting the company is still working to solve a "critical" heat issue. The information, shared by leaker Majin Bu on X, details a new vapor chamber design intended to manage the phone's thermals.

The leak adds weight to earlier rumors that the iPhone 17 Pro will use a vapor chamber, a first for the lineup. An image of what's said to be the thermal plate shows a structured copper surface with microchannels, designed to spread heat from the logic board and other modules. Unlike the graphite pads in current iPhones, a vapor chamber uses a phase-change mechanism to help maintain stable performance under the heavy workloads expected from the new A19 Pro chip.




One of the more unusual aspects of the design is an extension of the vapor chamber over the camera module. This suggests Apple may be exploring a hybrid cooling approach, using both the camera housing and the phone's frame as passive heat sinks. That would align with the large horizontal camera bar seen in recent dummy models.

Despite the promising design, the source cautions that the system isn't finalized. The report describes the "thermal issue in the iPhone 17 Pro as critical," possibly explaining why Apple is working on such an ambitious solution. While the vapor chamber represents a big step forward, its success is said to depend on final tuning and system-level integration.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup this fall. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates.