Updated
Updated · wired.me · Jul 30
Apple, Samsung Add Advanced Phone Cooling as Gulf Heat Tops 45C
Updated
Updated · wired.me · Jul 30

Apple, Samsung Add Advanced Phone Cooling as Gulf Heat Tops 45C

3 articles · Updated · wired.me · Jul 30

Summary

  • Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro gets its first vapour chamber, while Samsung says the Galaxy S26 cooling redesign is up to 29% more effective.
  • 45C average highs in the UAE and summer temperatures above Apple’s 35C operating limit force phones to throttle performance, pause charging and accelerate permanent battery wear.
  • 35C to 40C internal temperatures typically trigger software slowdowns, which can cause lag, navigation stutters and dimmed performance even when manufacturers say the behavior is normal.
  • Google’s Pixel 6a needed a mandatory Android 16 update to cut charging and battery capacity after overheating reports, and Samsung previously recalled the Galaxy Note7 over battery fires.
  • 60C parked-car temperatures, wireless charging and heavy use can worsen heat stress, leaving shade, wired charging and natural cooldown as the cheapest protection.

Insights

As Gulf temperatures soar past 45°C, is your smartphone's built-in thermal protection secretly destroying its battery life forever?
Could the very software updates designed to prevent your phone from catching fire actually be quietly killing its daily performance?