New tests show the iPhone 18 Pro Max stays cooler during long gaming sessions

Add ARY News on GoogleFollow on Google DiscoverImage: MacRumorsAAResizeEach new iPhone generation brings it closer to being a true gaming handheld. The A19 Pro and A20 Pro chips in the iPhone 17 Pro and 18 Pro series offer enough processing power to compete with consoles like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally X.

But even the most powerful smartphone chips have always struggled with one big hardware issue: thermal throttling. Modern smartphones use only passive cooling solutions like internal vapor chambers instead of active cooling fans, so gaming performance often drops during heavy use.

After Apple claimed the iPhone 18 Pro series had much better cooling, tech enthusiasts quickly tested how well the new devices handled high temperatures.

Recent side-by-side tests of both flagship phones in demanding AAA games show big improvements. For example, when running Resident Evil 4 Remake at 1320p, the iPhone 17 Pro Max hit a “Fair” thermal state in just 2 minutes and 39 seconds.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max lasted over 8 minutes before reaching the same thermal state. After 34 minutes, it held steady at 35 frames per second, while the older model dropped to 26.

The performance gap was even bigger in Death Stranding. At 900p on High settings, the iPhone 17 Pro Max dropped to about 24.5 frames per second after 34 minutes, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max stayed around 37 frames per second.

These results show that the newer A20 Pro reduces performance loss from throttling by about 23 percent in Resident Evil 4 Remake and up to 69 percent in Death Stranding.

Even more impressive, the newer model does this while using more power overall, showing that the improved vapor chamber design is very effective at getting rid of heat.

Looking forward, this leap in mobile hardware could get even better. Recent industry reports say Apple is working on dedicated iPhone game controllers with dual thumbsticks, analog triggers, and advanced haptics.

If Apple adds active cooling, such as a built-in external fan, to these rumored accessories, the A20 Pro could deliver even better sustained gaming performance. This could make the iPhone a true top-tier handheld console.

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