Apple may be preparing a major cooling upgrade for the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro, and future iPhone 20
Apple’s next big iPhone cycle could bring more than the usual camera and performance improvements. A new supply-chain rumor from Weibo suggests the company has significantly increased orders for vapor chamber cooling components, potentially signaling a major thermal upgrade for its upcoming premium iPhone models.
The report claims Apple is ramping up vapor chamber purchases as it prepares for several important devices, including its first foldable iPhone, which has been rumored under names such as iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra. The same cooling technology may also be planned for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with some supply reportedly being reserved for a future 20th-anniversary iPhone model, commonly referred to in rumors as the iPhone 20.
Vapor chamber cooling could be a big deal for future iPhones. As Apple continues pushing faster chips, brighter displays, advanced camera systems, AI features, and thinner designs, heat management becomes more important. A vapor chamber helps spread heat more efficiently across the device, allowing the phone to maintain high performance for longer during gaming, video recording, multitasking, and other demanding tasks.
This would be especially useful for a foldable iPhone. Foldable devices have more complex internal layouts, and managing heat inside a thinner, multi-part body can be challenging. If Apple is indeed preparing a foldable iPhone for a future September launch window, improved cooling could help the device deliver flagship-level performance without excessive heat buildup.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup may also benefit from the same upgrade. Previous rumors have suggested that Apple’s next Pro models could feature larger cooling components than current iPhones. A recently shared CT scan allegedly showing the iPhone 18 Pro pointed to a large vapor chamber extending toward the top of the device. If accurate, this would mark one of Apple’s most aggressive moves yet toward better thermal management in an iPhone.
The rumored internal changes may not stop at cooling. The same scan reportedly showed a redesigned front-facing sensor layout. Apple may reduce the size of the display cutout by placing only the selfie camera and Face ID scanner inside the central pill-shaped area, while moving the infrared flood illuminator to the side or possibly beneath the display.
If Apple follows through with this design, the Dynamic Island could become smaller and less intrusive. That would give users more usable screen space while preserving Face ID and the familiar interactive software features built around the cutout.
Production expectations are also ambitious. Apple is reportedly targeting around 10 million units for its first foldable iPhone, while the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could see much higher combined production volumes, potentially reaching around 70 million units. Those numbers suggest Apple expects strong demand for its next premium iPhone lineup.
The mention of the iPhone 20 is also interesting. Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone is expected to be a major milestone device, much like the iPhone X was for the 10th anniversary. If vapor chamber orders are already being allocated for that model, Apple may be planning a broader design and performance shift across its high-end iPhone portfolio.
For now, these details should be treated as rumor rather than confirmed information. Apple has not announced a foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro series, or an iPhone 20. However, the idea of Apple expanding vapor chamber cooling makes sense, especially as smartphones become more powerful and thermal performance becomes a bigger selling point.
If the reports are accurate, Apple’s future iPhones could deliver better sustained performance, cooler operation, improved gaming stability, and a more refined display design. The first foldable iPhone may grab the headlines, but the bigger story could be Apple’s long-term push to make its premium iPhones thinner, faster, and more thermally efficient.
