They have turned the iPhone 17 into a metallic hedgehog to survive the heat of the A19 Pro by sticking SSD coolers on its back. However, the difference between extreme DIY and Apple’s engineering is clear.
With the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple revamped its cooling system. Gone are the criticisms of previous models that overheated at the slightest use. Enter the vapor chamber and aluminum chassis that maintain the power of the A19 Pro without turning the device into a heating plate. Meanwhile, extreme DIY enthusiasts demonstrate, in their own way, the limits of passive cooling and just how much neater Apple’s official solution is.
Apple and DIYers Tackle Heating Issues with the iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 Pro features an aluminum body and vapor chamber cooling! No more titanium pic.twitter.com/i1YApnmjzP
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) September 9, 2025
Thus, with the iPhone 17, Apple introduced a vapor chamber and an aluminum chassis to better manage its A19 Pro processor. This new architecture intelligently disperses heat throughout the device, unlike the 15 Pro and 16 Pro, which have been criticized for their tendency to burn fingers.
Before that, a DIYer attempted a completely wild hack. He attached five M.2 SSD coolers to the back of his iPhone. Absurd as it may seem, this hack works. In a 3DMark test, the modified iPhone 17 achieved over 90% stability, compared to 61 to 72% for a normal 17 Pro.
The SSD coolers prevent the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 from throttling due to heat. Physics does its job, but ergonomics take a hit. Forget about handling a phone call or slipping the device into your pocket.
A smartphone performance enthusiast used multiple M.2 SSD coolers on the back of iPhone 17 Pro Max, allowing the device to obtain a 90% stability in one of the most taxing benchmark applications, 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light Unlimited. pic.twitter.com/TbMqRzdy3c
— Wccftech (@wccftech) October 2, 2025
Instead of opting for a Transformers look, Apple chose an elegant internal solution for the iPhone 17. The vapor chamber, filled with deionized water, directs heat from the processor to the aluminum chassis, acting as a giant heat sink.
Consequently, the smartphone’s performance lasts 40% longer. Additionally, the battery ages more slowly, offering 20 to 30% more lifespan, all while maintaining a sleek design.
