iPhone Ultra: Apple ramps up steam chamber orders

Apple's first foldable iPhone is said to require a more sophisticated cooling system than previously thought. A new leak from China reports significantly increased orders for a special cooling technology – and names both the iPhone Ultra and the anniversary model as recipients.

With roughly two months to go before the expected September launch of the iPhone Ultra, evidence is mounting regarding the device's thermal design. The Chinese Weibo account Fixed Focus Digital reports that Apple has significantly increased its orders for vapor chamber components – cooling systems. These additional components are expected to be used first in the production of the foldable, book-style iPhone. This report joins a growing body of information that, in the overall picture surrounding the iPhone Ultra, paints a picture of an ambitious iPhone project.

Increased orders for cooling technology

According to the leaker, the increased order volume is initially intended to secure production of the foldable iPhone. This aligns with reports that Apple has already instructed its suppliers to manufacture approximately 10 million foldable iPhones for 2026 – up from an earlier plan of seven to eight million units. A higher production volume inevitably leads to a greater need for cooling components, which makes the increased orders seem plausible.

Why a foldable iPhone needs more powerful cooling

A vapor chamber transports heat away from the hottest point in the device via a closed circuit and distributes it over a larger area. This is particularly challenging with a foldable case: the thin design and limited interior space leave little room for heat dissipation. According to the report, Apple is investing significant effort in thermal management precisely in this area.

The technology isn't new to Apple. With the iPhone 17 Pro last year, the manufacturer introduced a vapor chamber in the iPhone for the first time. A small amount of deionized water, laser-welded into the aluminum unibody, dissipates heat from the A19 Pro chip and distributes it throughout the frame. Apple claims this results in up to 40 percent more sustained performance compared to its predecessor. Until now, this cooling system has been exclusive to the Pro models – the move to the iPhone Ultra would bring it to a different segment for the first time.

The anniversary model will also retain the technology

Fixed Focus Digital names not only the foldable model but also the anniversary iPhone expected in 2027 as a recipient of the cooling components. For the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, Apple is reportedly planning a significantly redesigned device with a display that curves around the casing on all four sides, creating a virtually bezel-less impression. Such a redesign of the casing would likely also require more powerful cooling. Two anniversary models are expected, in sizes corresponding to this year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively. The planned redesign extends far beyond cooling and affects almost every component of the anniversary iPhone.

Earlier this week, the same account reported that Apple's "preferred approach" for the iPhone 20 was a return to glass and that the corresponding Production facilities have already been converted for this purpose.

What remains unclear until the September start

The information comes from a single source and has not yet been confirmed by other reports. However, Fixed Focus Digital's previous statements regarding the iPhone Ultra's cooling system were consistent with this: Back in June, the account spoke of an "impressive" vapor chamber and a September launch of the device. The latest report fits seamlessly into the existing narrative, but without independent verification, it remains a single piece of the puzzle. Certainty about the actual cooling solution will likely only come with the presentation in September. (Image: Shutterstock / Framesira)