Apple from the beginning dismissed concerns that the device’s excessive heating was linked to the design, attributing the heat to software-related processes. However, as the problem persisted, the company decided to take action. In response, Apple introduced the iOS 17.0.3 update, which was intended to directly address the overheating issue, and it is now unclear whether or not this will impact performance.
iOS 17.0.3: A solution or another problem?
The launch of iOS 17.0.3 by Apple was received with optimism by users. This update is explicitly designed to address the overheating issue that plagued the iPhone 15 Pro series with complaints. But the question on everyone’s mind was whether this update would negatively impact the performance of the A17 Pro chip.
To determine the answer, independent tests were carried out. One such test was conducted by tech publication 9to5Mac, using the Geekbench 5 benchmarking tool. The tests were conducted using an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Before the release of iOS 17.0.3, Geekbench 5 results for the iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 17.0.1 and iOS 17.0.2 were as follows:
- Single core score: 2914
- Multi-core score: 7199
Of course, these results are subject to variations influenced by several factors, including device temperature and battery level. iOS often throttles performance to preserve battery life when the battery is low, making it even harder to get consistent benchmarking results.
After the installation of iOS 17.0.3, benchmarking tests were performed which returned the following results:
- Single core score: 2875
- Multi-core score: 7006
Only a very slight decrease in performance could be observed which may not be due to the update. However, after allowing the iPhone to cool for two hours after the update, the tests were repeated, showing the following results:
- Single core score: 2941
- Multi-core score: 7523
Interestingly, the results after the cooldown period not only surpassed those of iOS 17.0.3, but also surpassed some tests performed with previous versions of iOS, including 17.0.2
Based on the information we have from these tests, it appears that the iOS 17.0.3 update did not significantly impact the overall performance of the iPhone 15 Pro. While sustained performance—that is, the ability to run processor-intensive apps for extended periods— may require additional study, initial results are good. We can be confident that our devices are still capable of delivering the best possible performance.
Apple also commented that specific apps, such as Instagram and Uber, were possible culprits for the iPhone’s overheating issues. The company has already stated that it is collaborating with the developers of these applications to resolve the problems. However, some users who do not even have these applications installed have experienced overheating problems.
Take care of the device, keep it at a reasonable temperature
For iPhone 15 Pro users worried about overheating, the best option is to make sure both iOS and the apps on your devices are up to date. Apple’s commitment to addressing the issue through software updates is a positive sign, to be sure, but we also need to apply some common sense. Hopefully iOS 17.0.3 has completely eradicated the overheating issue.