iPhone 15’s Growing Quality War Between India–China And Its Heatwave Problem; Is Apple’s Solution Too Hot to Handle?

The iPhone wars are officially in full swing, and it’s all because Apple decided to shift its manufacturing operations from China to India. Social media platforms like Weibo and X (formerly known as Twitter) are now flooded with doubts about the quality of the new iPhone 15s made in India. 

Indian users and industry insiders, however, have wasted no time in defending these devices, claiming they’re on par with iPhones made elsewhere.

For the first time, India-manufactured iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models hit the market on September 22, alongside their Chinese counterparts, signalling Apple’s rapid expansion in the world’s second-largest smartphone market. India has now become the second-largest hub for iPhone assembly globally.

This iPhone rollout from India, however, didn’t sit well with China; social media in China erupted with posts and Chinese state media reactions that raised eyebrows. 

One Weibo post even dared to suggest that the India-made iPhone 15s were being rerouted to China after being rejected in Europe due to supposed quality issues.

While the Chinese state media dismissed these claims of rerouting but couldn’t resist taking a jab at Apple’s faith in India’s production capabilities, they argued that India’s production capacity couldn’t possibly match the voracious demand for Apple products in China.

Adding fuel to the fire, a China-based journalist named Wenhao, who writes for Voice of America, pointed out how India had become the target of misinformation, ridicule, and even racist jokes on China’s internet because of its growing role in Apple’s manufacturing.

“Ahead of the new iPhone release on Friday, some netizens are calling for boycotting India-made iPhone 15s,” Wenhao wrote, bringing to light a concerted campaign.

As if things weren’t spicy enough, some Weibo users shared photos purportedly showing dust particles on India-made iPhone 15s’ camera lenses and motherboards as evidence of their subpar quality; they even claimed that this could deal a significant blow to iPhone 15 sales.

“There are rumours that iPhone lenses made in India are dusty. This batch of iPhone 15 specially supplied to the Chinese market really has this problem. It will definitely be a huge blow to the sales of iPhone 15,” read a post on Weibo.

India In The Defending Position

On another front, India-based users who purchased the new handsets came forward to declare that they hadn’t encountered any issues with their devices. Their India-made iPhones, they proudly stated, were working perfectly.

Industry insiders also joined the fray, with one executive familiar with Apple’s operations dismissing the claims of inferior quality. Another industry official shed light on the fact that India-made iPhone units were being exported to countries like the UAE, Rotterdam, and South Africa, from where they were shipped to various regions.

But wait, there’s more! An Indian user took the opportunity to point fingers at the China-made iPhone 15 Pro models, blaming reported overheating issues on them.

What Do The Experts Say

To add some expert perspective, securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo chimed in. He suggested that the primary reason behind these controversies might be compromises made in the thermal system design of the phones to achieve a lighter weight, such as reducing the heat dissipation area and using a titanium frame, which negatively impacted thermal efficiency.

In the midst of all this, it’s clear that there’s a campaign to downplay India’s growing success as an iPhone manufacturer. The intent seems to be casting doubt on India’s ability to be an alternative to China and to hinder further production scale-up, according to Navkendar Singh, associate vice president at IDC India.

Here’s an interesting fact: about two years ago, China produced a whopping 95% of all iPhones, compared to just 3% in India. Now, India’s share has risen to approximately 14%, while China’s has fallen to around 86%, as per Counterpoint Research.

As if the drama weren’t enough, a report from Bank of America suggests that Apple might shift approximately 18% of its global iPhone production to India by FY25.

To wrap it all up, Wenhao, the Chinese journalist, highlighted that a popular theme is emerging: Apple’s motivation to produce iPhones in India and Chinese consumers being urged to express their discontent by boycotting them. He also noted that the current geopolitical tensions between the two countries are fueling a strong anti-India sentiment in China.

Meanwhile, Apple has been on a manufacturing frenzy in India since it began local production in 2017. Currently, it relies on three contract manufacturers—Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron—with the latter’s facility in Karnataka set to be taken over by the Tatas.

While the debate between India and China may be ‘overheating,’ the fact is that the latest edition of the iPhone does have a few problems-

1. Over Heating

You see, there’s a group of iPhone 15 users out there who are singing a fiery tale – their devices are heating up, and not in a cozy way, but in a “call the fire brigade” manner. It’s so hot that you’d think Apple accidentally created a portable oven, not a smartphone.

Ironically, at the same time, it does seem Apple has another hit on its hands, but this time, it’s not the metaphorical heat we’re talking about. Despite being barely a week into its official launch, the iPhone 15 is already flying off the shelves worldwide. 

Coming back to the overheating problem, amid the frenzy of iPhone 15 sales, the simmering issue that’s raising eyebrows – reports are pouring in about these devices having a knack for overheating. 

Users are spilling the beans that their iPhone 15s feel like mini furnaces, and this problem isn’t just limited to intensive usage; even during a routine charge, the phones turn into handheld radiators. 

And guess what? The pricier models, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, seem to be the “hottest” culprits.

The situation has become so heated that some iPhone 15 reviewers are advising users to keep their phones under wraps—literally. 

It’s suggested that unless you want to roast marshmallows on your iPhone, you’d better get a case for it; that’s how hot this issue has become. 

While Mashable’s review didn’t sizzle with thermal problems, reports of overheating are widespread enough that Apple might have to pull something out of its hat.

Why The Cake Bake

But here’s the kicker, the solution that Apple is reportedly considering might not sit well with iPhone 15 users. 

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the heat problem likely stems from some “compromises” Apple made in the phone’s thermal system design to make it lighter. These compromises allegedly include reducing the heat dissipation area and introducing a new titanium frame, which, unfortunately, doesn’t play nice with thermal efficiency.

Now, don’t expect Apple to issue a recall for the iPhone 15; in fact, it’s quite likely that Apple knew about this heat wave during the design phase and it’s not exactly a surprise to the Cupertino company (Apple’s headquarters).

What’s The Solution

So, how will Apple attempt to cool things down? It’s likely going to be a software update. And what will this update do? Well, it might just put the phone’s impressively powerful processor on a bit of a diet.

Ming-Chi Kuo’s report suggests that Apple will address the overheating issue through software updates, but there’s a catch; the improvements might be somewhat limited unless Apple dials down the performance of that powerhouse processor.

Interestingly, the overheating issue seems to be more pronounced in the iPhone 15 Pro models, which are the first iPhones to sport the new A17 Pro chipset. 

It’s worth noting that Kuo doesn’t point fingers at the A17 Pro as the culprit; it seems the processor is innocent. Instead, the problem lies in Apple’s decision not to beef up the phone’s thermal design to handle the chipset’s heat more efficiently.

Unfortunately, Apple didn’t make that move, so the only way to tackle this hardware hiccup seems to be via a software update that’ll act like a thermal speed bump for the potent A17 Pro.

As for how much this expected software update will throttle the A17 Pro’s performance, well, that remains a burning question. Apple is likely to roll out an update that minimizes the change for most users, but power users might feel the heat, and not in a good way. We’ll have to play the waiting game to see how big of a difference it makes.

2. The Titanium Case

The story of iPhone 15 quirks doesn’t stop at overheating. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models are also in hot water over their titanium shells. 

These premium devices seem to have an uncanny attraction to fingerprints and to make matters worse, some users have discovered that their fingerprints can actually alter the titanium frame’s colour, much to the horror of those who painstakingly chose their iPhone 15 Pro colour!

Apple, in its wisdom, reassures us that any colour alterations are temporary, all due to the oil from our skin. A simple wipe-down with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth will supposedly restore the iPhone’s original look. 

So, while it might feel like you’re handling a fingerprint magnet, at least it’s a temporary one!

3. Durability Dilemmas

The iPhone 15’s durability is also becoming a topic of concern, especially when compared to its predecessors. Early adopters have raised eyebrows about the build quality of their day-one devices, sparking questions about their ability to withstand rough handling.

First on the list, a video courtesy of AppleTrack’s Sam Kohl showcases the iPhone 15 Pro struggling through a series of increasingly brutal drop tests. While such tests usually wouldn’t be shameful, the real shocker is that the iPhone 14 Pro, tested concurrently, emerged from the same trials relatively unscathed.

Adding to the skepticism is a report from smartphone torture specialist JerryRigEverything; he subjected the iPhone 15 Pro Max to rigorous tests, and it didn’t fare well! You see, a slight thumb pressure was all it took to crack the back glass.

Interestingly, the standard iPhone 15 Pro didn’t exhibit the same vulnerability, but this might prompt potential buyers to consider AppleCare Plus or investing in top-notch iPhone 15 Pro cases.

4. Scuffed and Stained FineWoven Cases

One way to avoid durability woes is by getting a protective case; but what about flaunting the titanium case if one has to cover it with a case?

Still, Apple’s premium-priced FineWoven cases, priced at $59, are attracting a barrage of criticism due to their susceptibility to scratches and stains.

Repair experts at iFixIt took a closer look at these cases, revealing that minor scratches don’t harm the fibers but still leave a lasting visual mark. When scratched, the jostled threads reflect light irregularly compared to the untouched portions, creating an enduring blemish. 

While these cases offer protection, don’t expect them to maintain their pristine appearance for long; in fact, display models at an Apple store showed signs of wear in less than a day, which isn’t the most reassuring sight; forget about the money paid!

5. Data Transfer Startup Loop

For many iPhone buyers transitioning from older models, day one came with an unpleasant surprise: a pesky bug. 

Some users, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, found themselves stuck in a boot loop while attempting to transfer their existing iPhone data to their new iPhone 15.

Apple swiftly responded with a software update (iOS 17.0.2) to address this issue; however, some users weren’t prompted to download the update before encountering the problem. 

For them, the solution involved connecting their new iPhone 15 to a PC or Mac with a cable and following a set of simple steps; while manageable for some, it was undeniably a less-than-ideal experience for consumers diving into their new phones, especially those unfamiliar with troubleshooting.

6. Lagging Performance Woes

Reports of laggy or choppy animations on the new iPhone 15 have also surfaced, though the extent of this issue remains unclear; this performance hiccup appears to be related to software rather than hardware.

Since all iPhone 15 units come preloaded with iOS 17, it’s likely that Apple still has some optimization work to do and users can anticipate patches in the coming weeks and months, promising “bug fixes” and improved “stability.” 

While this performance concern may not be widespread, it highlights the teething problems of a cutting-edge device striving for perfection.

And there you have it, the tale of iPhone 15’s scorching issues and potential solutions!

The Last Bit, The iPhone 15’s remarkable success was almost a given, considering Apple’s track record; yet, the unexpected overheating issue has taken center stage, raising questions about the device’s thermal design. 

Apple seems poised to address this fiery concern with a software update, though it may come at the cost of some performance.