Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 15 Pro and its larger sibling, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, are powered by the A17 Pro, the company’s newest System-on-Chip (SoC). This chip, a 3nm marvel, stands as the only one of its kind in the industry currently. Apple’s acquisition of the entire TSMC supply for the first year means that, for now, only Apple can boast of this technological advancement. This chip was a significant highlight during Apple’s iPhone 15 event, with a particular emphasis on its gaming prowess. Subsequent benchmark tests even revealed that the iPhone 15 Pro outperformed M2 MacBooks in single-core tests.
However, as the first reviews of the iPhone 15 Pro roll in, concerns have arisen. A detailed analysis by a Chinese reviewer indicates that the A17 Pro chip can overheat during intense tasks, with temperatures soaring to 118.4ºF. This overheating also leads to performance throttling under stress. For instance, during a gaming session with Genshin Impact on high graphics settings, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s temperature reached 48ºC. Another test with the game Resident Evil Village showed performance drops from mid-40s to 30 fps.
All smartphones, including iPhones, throttle performance during intense tasks. However, the iPhone 15 Pro does not have active cooling, a feature Apple hasn’t mentioned. Apple did, however, highlight the iPhone 15 Pro’s new titanium frame during its event, explaining its role in improved cooling. Additionally, in a recent interview with IGN, Apple acknowledged the iPhone 15 Pro’s power, stating that it has the potential to “burn a hole” through the back. However, protections are in place, and game developers will have tools and resources to prevent overheating.
As the iPhone 15 models start shipping to buyers, more tests focusing on the A17 Pro’s performance will emerge, potentially highlighting any throttling and overheating issues.
