iPhone Ultra: Vapor Chamber despite thin casing Apfelpatient

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A new leak from China reveals a previously unknown detail about the iPhone Ultra: Apple's first foldable device is said to feature a vapor chamber for cooling – housed in an extremely thin casing. At the same time, the leak claims that the planned September launch remains on track despite production issues.

As Apple prepares for mass production of its foldable iPhone Ultra, leaks regarding its specifications and timeline continue unabated. The latest leak comes from Weibo user Fixed Focus Digital and delivers two points at once: a new cooling concept and an update on the launch date. Both fit into the existing picture of the iPhone Ultra, which portrays a technologically advanced yet deliberately minimalist premium device.

A Vapor Chamber Is Mentioned for the First Time

According to the leaker, the iPhone Ultra will feature a vapor chamber with "impressive" cooling performance – Apple is pulling out all the stops when it comes to heat dissipation. This is the first time a source has attributed such a cooling solution to the foldable phone.

The technology is familiar from the latest Pro models: Apple first incorporated a vapor chamber into the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max last year. A small amount of deionized water circulates, drawing heat away from the chip and distributing it across the aluminum frame; according to Apple, this results in approximately 40 percent higher sustained performance under demanding tasks compared to the previously used graphite solutions. The predecessors, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro, struggled with overheating issues under load.

Remarkable for Such a Thin Body

The fact that the cooling technology even fits into the iPhone Ultra is the real surprise. When unfolded, the device measures only about 4.5 millimeters thick – and even the similarly slim iPhone Air manages without a vapor chamber. Fitting such a solution into this form factor would therefore be anything but a given, especially since the iPhone Ultra is expected to forgo several features of the iPhone 17 Pro – including Face ID, a telephoto camera, MagSafe, the Action Button, and a physical SIM slot, primarily due to its slim form factor. Furthermore, titanium is being considered for the frame, which dissipates heat less effectively than aluminum – making efficient cooling all the more valuable.

September Launch Despite Production Hurdles

In addition to the cooling detail, the leaker also provides an update on the timeline: all indications suggest that the originally planned market launch in September will remain in place – despite recent reports of manufacturing problems. Pre-assembly is under pressure, however, and the initial ramp-up of production is proving difficult.

Specifically, Fixed Focus Digital cites yield problems in pre-assembly related to SMT component placement. This contradicts an earlier report by leaker Instant Digital, who attributed the difficulties to the hinge – claiming it fails Apple's quality control after prolonged, frequent opening and closing. Fixed Focus Digital, however, maintains that the hinge is not the primary cause. Back in April, DigiTimes reported a delay of one to two months, while still aiming for a fall launch and the start of mass production in July; price negotiations with the assembly partner were also considered a potential contributing factor. However, the expected September launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max appears to be unaffected so far.

More Details Are Expected Soon

The expected features include a 7.8-inch internal display, a 5.5-inch external screen, the A20 chip, the C2 modem, Touch ID instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras; the starting price is expected to be around $2,000. The leaker has also announced that he will share more big news about the foldable device tomorrow – so the rumor mill is likely to continue immediately. (Image: Shutterstock / Dominik_Spalek)