Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares are trading modestly lower in premarket Thursday following the Wall Street Journal report that the new iPhone 15, particularly the high-end models, is facing overheating issues.
These concerns have been raised in reviews and tests conducted by the WSJ and through social media posts from customers. This is not a novelty as iPhone 14 Pro owners also complained about hotter-than-usual temperatures.
The tests showed that overheating occurs during activities like charging and running resource-intensive applications. Apple may need to address these issues through software updates, potentially impacting device performance.
Premium iPhones have traditionally been a significant source of revenue for Apple, especially as global smartphone demand has seen a decline. The company is pinning hopes on the iPhone 15, particularly its Pro variants, to rejuvenate its business and drive growth.
In a review by the WSJ’s Joanna Stern, it was observed that the iPhone 15 Pro Max reached temperatures as high as 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41C) while charging. Subsequent testing revealed that the phone's temperature could climb even higher, up to 112 degrees (44C), when engaged in simultaneous charging and processor-intensive activities, such as gaming.
Apple analysts at TF International Securities, known for closely monitoring the company's supply chain, have attributed the heat-related problems in the iPhone 15 Pro models to several factors.
One key factor is the new lightweight design of the iPhone 15 Pro, which may not efficiently dissipate heat compared to previous models. Additionally, the introduction of a titanium frame in only the Pro models is seen as a potential issue.