Level 1

66 points

New iPhone 17e overheating during normal usage and charging

Hello,

I recently purchased an iPhone 17e today, and I am experiencing noticeable overheating issues.

During normal usage (such as browsing or setting up the device), the phone becomes warm very quickly. The temperature increase is easy to notice and feels abnormal.

When charging, the device heats up significantly within a short time and becomes quite hot to the touch.

This is not just a subjective impression, as I am comparing it directly with my iPhone 13. Even though my iPhone 13 has an older battery and can get warm, the iPhone 17e consistently becomes hotter under the same or lighter usage conditions.

I am quite disappointed, as I purchased this device to replace my iPhone 13 and expected better thermal performance from a new model.

Since this is a brand-new device, I would like to know whether this behavior is expected or if it could indicate a hardware or software issue.

Thanks.

iPhone 17e, iOS 26

Posted on Apr 11, 2026 3:50 AM

Top-ranking reply

Lawrence Finch

Community+ 2026

Level 10

242,740 points

Posted on May 27, 2026 8:50 AM

Let’s define “overheating”, which is always a hardware problem. If a device overheats it shuts down so it can’t be used, and displays a message saying it must cool down before it can be turned on, and it will probably be unusable for an hour or so. If you are seeing this it is a hardware problem and you should contact Apple support:

Click on “Support” at the top of this page
Go to Contact Official Apple Support

Note that both of the above have options to receive a callback or chat

If you are not seeing this your iPhone or iPad has not overheated. However, if you fast charge your device it may get very warm, and may pause charging at 80% and display a message saying that charging has paused, and will resume when the phone cools down. This is NOT overheating, and is normal when fast charging. It also won’t prevent you from using any app you have on your phone.

If you have just updated allow a couple of days for iOS to complete its “housekeeping"

Some apps that use a lot of energy or that use cellular data rather than Wi-Fi can cause the phone to run warmer. Worst offenders are Meta products (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc), interactive games, watching streaming videos, the Camera app and any other app that uses the camera (TikTok, Snapchat, etc). Charging while using apps will also generate a lot of heat. And having VPN installed, whether using it or not, can also consume a lot of energy. But none of these can cause “overheating;” iOS will limit energy use to keep the phone safe, perhaps by dimming the screen.

Periodically app releases may not have been thoroughly tested that will cause similar symptoms.

All of these are manifestations of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.

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52 replies

Kash867

Level 1

8 points

Sep 26, 2026 3:05 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

This is a pretty frustrating answer. And I’m experiencing this too after three days with a new phone. My old phone was a 12 and started heating up as the battery faded below 80%. I decided to upgrade instead of fixing the battery. However I’ve been shocked. This is hotter than the 12 with a bad battery.

so I ask What if it’s just very hot to the touch be cause of the design? And distracting and annoying and uncomfortable? And has nothing to do with the hardware? Who wants a hot phone all the time? Or hot from watching YouTube after 15 seconds? And that’s through a case. That’s an issue I’ve never dealt with in any older model and a terrible design if that’s the case now. It’s ridiculous and you’re talking about whether or not the hardware is melting. So far no but my hand is!!! Again who wants a (not warm) hot hot phone for opening up any app? Sigh…people just don’t listen. Also the question was is a lot of heat even using it for a phone call , browser or light loads expected or not, pls just answer that. Are the 17e’s normally quite hot to touch when using!

askri Author

Level 1

66 points

May 25, 2026 5:46 AM in response to askri

Weeks later, it’s still getting warm.

May 25, 2026 5:49 AM in response to askri

Okay so the iPhone 17 has little water compartments to cool the iPhone of so either the machines didn’t do it or it got damaged either from. A fall or no pt careful shipping

askri Author

Level 1

66 points

May 27, 2026 8:36 AM in response to askri

I’m literally just browsing the web and it’s already getting warm again. Grrr.

askri Author

Level 1

66 points

May 29, 2026 8:38 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Interesting how web browsing somehow got grouped together with gaming, as if they put the same level of load on the phone. I’m talking about simple browsing already making the device noticeably warm.

ProustGiulio

Level 10

212,036 points

Jun 3, 2026 1:50 AM in response to Stormlight23

I suggest that you update your mum's 17e to the latest specific iOS version 26.5.1, then test the device for a couple of days. Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks and regards

Giulio

Jul 2, 2026 1:34 AM in response to TanyaBrowne

Edit : I AM experiencing more actual burns! (Auto correct fail)

New iPhone 17e overheating during normal usage and charging