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iPhone 17 Pro Can the vapour cooling chamber freeze?
- Thread starter joeblow7777
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I thought it won't be freeze, if it does, it just a little bit liquid，won't break your phone
What makes you think it won't freeze?
Water expands when it freezes. Theoretically, if the chamber isn't designed for that, it could do damage.
first, chamber operation principle base on vapor, the chamber couldn't fill full water. As my research, the highest expainson of water to the ice is only 9%, the chamber couldn't be only 9% spare space. The second point is, the chamber may use acetone
Apple's recommended temperature range for usage and for storage.
support.apple.com
If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support
Learn about the operating temperatures and temperature management of iPhone and iPad.
There are other factors not mentioned or discussed...
If the iPhone is exposed directly (e.g., iPhone is just laying outside) then the (vapor chamber’s) heat transfer performance will suffer as indeed the liquid will probably freeze.
Of course, at least some heat is always being applied to the vapor chamber (or heat pipe(s)), that is, from the components it’s intended to transfer heat from.
Furthermore, when you say "while out in -20C weather,” I assume the iPhone is most often in a pocket, purse, etc., which (at least somewhat) insulates the heat produced by the device. When not in a pocket, it’s probably in your hand, which generates some heat (of course) or somewhat enclosed by a glove.
Anyway… For some technical details:
Thanks, Steve!
If the iPhone is exposed directly (e.g., iPhone is just laying outside) then the (vapor chamber’s) heat transfer performance will suffer as indeed the liquid will probably freeze.
Of course, at least some heat is always being applied to the vapor chamber (or heat pipe(s)), that is, from the components it’s intended to transfer heat from.
Furthermore, when you say "while out in -20C weather,” I assume the iPhone is most often in a pocket, purse, etc., which (at least somewhat) insulates the heat produced by the device. When not in a pocket, it’s probably in your hand, which generates some heat (of course) or somewhat enclosed by a glove.
Anyway… For some technical details:
If you are out on a spacewalk and lose it.
Game over.
Last edited:
Thanks, but none of that has anything to do with the vapour chamber in particular. They're the same guidelines for any iPhone or other mobile device with a lithium ion battery.Apple's recommended temperature range for usage and for storage.
If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support
Learn about the operating temperatures and temperature management of iPhone and iPad.
If this applies to all iphones this includes the vapor chamber, no?
Apple for sure tested and ruled out your concerns.
Not concerns so much as curiosity. All of those guidelines are based around lithium ion battery function and don't address the vapour chamber at all. But I hear what you're saying. If the vapour chamber did warrant some special consideration they probably would say so... or they just didn't think to update the guidelines.
The chamber contains de-ionized water, so it can certainly freeze and cause damage.
Look at what a vapor chamber is. The chamber is basically a copper sponge (wick) with lots of pores. Below is a microscope photo of the chamber from iFixit. If water freezes, it can physically deform those delicate pores.
This industry Q&A confirms it:
Q: Are there any concerns about using thin VCs in sub-zero operating temperatures?
A: If the VC temperature is less than zero C, it will not function as a VC. Repeated freezing and thawing of the VC will also damage the wick and reduce thermal performance. The design will have to make allowance for such performance degradation based on the number of freezing events the product will see during its expected useful life.
Look at what a vapor chamber is. The chamber is basically a copper sponge (wick) with lots of pores. Below is a microscope photo of the chamber from iFixit. If water freezes, it can physically deform those delicate pores.
This industry Q&A confirms it:
Q: Are there any concerns about using thin VCs in sub-zero operating temperatures?
A: If the VC temperature is less than zero C, it will not function as a VC. Repeated freezing and thawing of the VC will also damage the wick and reduce thermal performance. The design will have to make allowance for such performance degradation based on the number of freezing events the product will see during its expected useful life.
Apple's recommended temperature range for usage and for storage.
If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support
Learn about the operating temperatures and temperature management of iPhone and iPad.
Unfortunately, that document was published before iPhone 17.
Published Date: June 10, 2025
I know you're kidding but it's actually a problem in reality.
NASA investigated this problem because heat pipes and vapor chambers don't function in extreme cold and get damaged. The solution is to use a gas-charged heat pipe with ammonia liquid.
Not really helpful, when the daily temperature is between -3°C to -9°C this week. Riding to and from work, with my iPhone in my saddle bag doesn't seem to have affected it, but I only cycle around 7KM to work, so probably the temperature in the outside pocket isn't getting dangerously cold. At least I now live in the warmer North, around 2005 we had -10°C to -20°C during the day and -40°C at night, now that was cold! Left the car parked up and walked to the shops, didn't want to risk damaging the engine.Apple's recommended temperature range for usage and for storage.
If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support
Learn about the operating temperatures and temperature management of iPhone and iPad.
The tech specs for iPhones 17 are here:
iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max - Technical Specifications
View all technical specifications for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
www.apple.com
Find "Environmental Requirements" in the list, and note the temperature ranges.