iPhone 17 Pro Max: Vapor Chamber Leak Details

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Apple has traditionally avoided using a vapor chamber cooler on its iPhones, which limits the A-series chipsets’ performance. This might change later this year during Apple’s ‘Awe Inspiring’ keynote scheduled for September 9, where the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could be introduced with a vapor chamber. The vapor chamber will allow the internal components to operate at their highest capacity. However, not all coolers are created equal; the solution’s thickness and size significantly impact its effectiveness. Now, we have our first look at the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s vapor chamber, which covers a large area designed to transfer heat away from multiple components.

The A19 Pro arriving to the iPhone 17 Pro Max could deliver better sustained performance when running taxing applications, thanks to the vapor chamber

The image of the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s vapor chamber was shared by @LusiRoy8. Although the exact dimensions are unknown, it appears to cover a large surface area on the flagship device. The vapor chamber is expected to provide adequate cooling for the A19 Pro and will also protect the NAND flash storage from thermal throttling. Previously, Apple used graphite for heat dissipation, but this method is less effective than a vapor chamber.

Apple may have delayed implementing the vapor chamber because it believed iPhones were not primarily used for intensive tasks. However, with the introduction of the A17 Pro in 2023, which supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and runs AAA games like Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 Remake, Apple likely realized that a vapor chamber would be necessary to better control the device’s thermals and ensure optimal performance for its components.

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Beyond gaming, on-device AI applications are also resource-intensive. Consequently, the vapor chamber will become essential. Given that the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger form factor than the iPhone 17 Pro, it’s possible that its vapor chamber covers an increased surface area, but this remains to be confirmed. Assuming this leak is accurate, we wouldn’t be surprised if positive reviews highlight how Apple’s revamped cooling solution has improved the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s thermals.

News Source: @LusiRoy8