Apple doesn’t seem to be limiting itself to the formal look of a vapor chamber in an iPhone. The iPhone 18 Pro Max’s cooling system is significantly more efficient than the competition, allowing the smartphone to maintain high power limits without turning the case into a pocket stove.
This was proven in a test by YouTube channel Geekerwan, in which additional temperature sensors were attached to the iPhone 18 Pro Max and its competitors. The test also included iPhone 17 Pro Max, OnePlus 15 and iQOO 15 Ultra. All Android smartphones are powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Apple’s new flagship reaches its power limit of 5.9 W at 44.3 °C. In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max produces 5.4W of power and reaches a temperature of 45.2°C.
The OnePlus 15 is able to reach 6.1W, but the temperature rises to 47.2°C. The iQOO 15 Ultra without a fan shows the same 5.9 W but heats up to 47.2°C. When the fan is turned on to maximum, the smartphone increases the limit to 7.3 W and maintains a slightly lower temperature – 46.2 °C. As a result, the iPhone 18 Pro Max successfully combines high performance and moderate heating without the need for a separate fan, thanks to the A20 Pro and a redesigned cooling system.