iPhone 17 Pro vapor chamber plate: What’s the big deal?
If you’ve been keeping tabs on smartphone heat tech, you’ve probably heard whispers about the iPhone 17 Pro vapor chamber plate. Today’s leaks—from a MacRumors post dated June 22, 2025—claim a leaker named Majin Bu dropped a photo of what seems to be a copper thermal plate, part of a vapor‑chamber style cooling system. macrumors.com
So, why switch from graphite sheets?
Up till now, iPhones relied on graphite sheets to spread out heat. Vapor chambers, though, use a thin sealed cavity with liquid that vaporizes and condenses, better redistributing heat—especially during intense gaming or heavy workloads. That means less throttling and cooler internals.
Is it only for the Pro models?
Looks like it. Multiple sources—MacRumors, Chinese leakers, AppleInsider—all suggest that only the Pro and Pro Max models get the upgrade. Even though early rumors hinted at it coming to the whole lineup, it now seems more exclusive.
Could this increase surface temperature?
Yes! According to Reddit chatter, moving heat into the chassis means your phone’s surface might feel warmer. One user said:
“It’s getting a vapor chamber cooling solution so it means cooler chip but hotter phone… Unless they go back to aluminum back… it will be similar temperature for the phone.”
So we might be trading chip coolness for a warmer shell, unless Apple changes materials.
What about other upgrades?
The vapor chamber isn’t the only rumored upgrade. Here’s a quick rundown:
A19 Pro chip with 12 GB RAM
New camera bar design, possibly aluminum or glass‑mixed chassis
48 MP triple cameras, 24 MP front cam, 8K video, dual‑camera recording
Wired charging up to 35 W, and Qi2 wireless
120 Hz LTPO ProMotion display across the lineup
TL;DR
Vapor chamber plate spotted in leak — a first for iPhones.
Cooler chip performance, but possibly warmer phone surfaces.
Exclusive to Pro models, not the standard ones.
Bundled with beefier chipset, RAM, camera, display, and charging upgrades.
FAQs
Q: What’s a vapor chamber plate, anyway?
Honestly, it’s just a fancier way to stop your phone from overheating. It’s like… a little metal layer inside that helps spread the heat out better. There’s some kind of liquid in there that moves the heat around—don’t ask me how exactly, it’s all science-y stuff—but it keeps things cooler under the hood when you’re pushing the phone hard.
Q: Is it gonna make the phone feel hot in your hand?
Yeah, maybe. Since the heat’s being moved out of the chip and into the body, the back might feel warmer than usual—especially if you’re gaming or using the camera a lot. Depends on what material Apple uses, honestly. If they stick with the current glass design, you’ll probably feel it. If they switch things up, maybe not as much.
Q: When is the iPhone 17 Pro expected to launch?
Most likely September 2025, sticking to Apple’s usual fall schedule.
👉 Want more iPhone 17 Pro insights?
Check out our in-depth breakdown: