At least one iPhone 17 model will incorporate liquid cooling technology.

iPhone 17 to Feature Liquid Cooling System

• Multiple reports indicate that at least one, and possibly both, iPhone 17 Pro models will incorporate a vapor chamber liquid cooling system to improve thermal management and prevent performance throttling under heavy workloads.

• This advanced cooling system, already present in some high-end Android phones, uses liquid vaporization and condensation to dissipate heat more efficiently than the current graphite heatsink method used in iPhones.

• While initial reports suggested the feature would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, later reports suggest it may be included in both Pro models, although the exact implementation remains uncertain until official confirmation from Apple.

The iPhone 17 series, which includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, is set to feature advanced cooling technology. Recent reports indicate that at least one model within this series will incorporate a sophisticated liquid cooling system, specifically a vapor chamber. This announcement is supported by multiple sources, but it remains unclear which specific models will be equipped with this feature.

With Apple’s chip technology evolving to become more powerful annually, they tend to generate significant heat during demanding tasks, like running graphic-intensive applications or games. As a precaution against overheating—known as thermal throttling—Apple devices automatically reduce their performance when internal temperatures reach critical levels, thus protecting the chip and other components from potential damage. While larger devices such as the MacBook Pro utilize fans for active cooling, iPhones typically rely on passive cooling mechanisms, mainly employing heatsinks made from metal or graphite to distribute heat to the device’s exterior.

The proposed vapor chamber is an advanced version of a heatsink that includes a liquid component. When a particular area of the phone overheats, the liquid inside the chamber vaporizes, and this vapor moves towards the cooler outer shell of the device, where it condenses, thereby lowering the temperature. This cooling method is akin to principles found in air coolers and even applying a damp cloth to someone’s forehead when they have a fever.

The concept of including a vapor chamber in the iPhone 17 lineup was initially reported by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, suggesting that the feature would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. He asserted that among the 2025 iPhone models, only the iPhone 17 Pro Max would benefit from this upgraded cooling system that combines vapor chamber technology with graphite sheets. Other models within the series would continue using graphite sheets alone for thermal management.

Subsequent reports, including one from the Chinese site MyDrivers, indicated that all iPhone 17 models might receive the vapor chamber technology for improved heat dissipation. This was further supported by another Chinese leaker, Instant Digital, who confirmed that both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max would utilize the vapor chamber for effective heat management.

Given the corroboration from multiple sources and the existing integration of similar cooling technology in high-end Android devices, it appears plausible that at least the Pro models of the iPhone 17 will incorporate this vapor chamber feature. Options lean towards either including the vapor chamber in both Pro models or reserving it solely for the Pro Max variant.

In summary, Apple is taking significant steps towards enhancing the thermal management of its upcoming iPhone 17 models, particularly focusing on the Pro versions to better support their powerful chipsets and demanding applications.