Stephen Colbert, the host of The Late Show on CBS, had some fun with the news that some of the new iPhone 15 models are overheating. He suggested an easy and cheap solution for the problem: coffee cup sleeves.
In a segment on his show on Wednesday night, Colbert showed a clip of a CNN report that said Apple is working on a software fix for the overheating issue, which is affecting some of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max devices. The report also said that some third-party apps, such as Instagram and Uber, are causing the phones to run warmer than expected.
Colbert joked that he was not surprised by the news, since he had noticed that his iPhone 15 was getting very hot. He said he had to use oven mitts to hold it, and that he had accidentally cooked an egg on it.
He then showed a mock commercial for a product called “iSleeve”, which is a coffee cup sleeve that can be used to wrap around the iPhone 15 to prevent it from burning the user’s hand. The commercial featured a voice-over saying: “Introducing iSleeve, the revolutionary new accessory for your iPhone 15. iSleeve protects your hand from the scorching heat of your phone, while also giving you a stylish and eco-friendly look. iSleeve is made from recycled paper and comes in a variety of colors and designs. Whether you’re texting, gaming, or browsing Instagram, iSleeve lets you enjoy your iPhone 15 without the risk of injury. Order now and get a free iCoaster, the perfect companion for your iSleeve. iCoaster protects your table from the blistering heat of your phone, while also giving you a convenient place to rest your drink. iSleeve and iCoaster, the ultimate accessories for your iPhone 15. Order today and get a second set free. Just pay separate shipping and handling.”
Colbert then said that he had ordered some iSleeves for himself and his audience, and threw some into the crowd. He also said that he had another solution for the overheating issue: switching to Android.
Apple says it will fix the issue soon
Apple has acknowledged that some of the iPhone 15 models are running warmer than expected, and said it is working on a software update to address the issue. The company also said that some recently updated third-party apps are overloading the system and causing the phones to heat up.
Apple said that it is working with these app developers on fixes that are in the process of rolling out. It also said that it has found a bug in iOS 17 that is impacting some users and will be fixed in a software update.
The company said that the overheating issue is not a safety risk and will not affect the long-term performance of the phones. It also said that iPhones have internal protections for components to help regulate the temperature if it gets too high.
Apple also said that the device may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring it because of increased background activity. It said that this is normal and that the device will return to a regular temperature when the process is complete or when the user finishes their activity.
The iPhone 15 series has been in high demand
The iPhone 15 series was launched last month with four models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Mini, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro models feature a titanium shell, a custom A17 pro chip, and advanced cameras.
The new iPhones have been in high demand, with analysts reporting strong pre-orders and sales. Delivery and shipment times have moved to late October through mid-November for various Pro models.
The iPhone 15 series comes as Apple reported in August that sales fell for the third consecutive quarter. iPhone revenue came in at $39.7 billion for the third quarter, marking an approximately 2% year-over-year decline, as users update their devices less often.
However, according to estimates by Wedbush Securities, about 250 million iPhones have not been upgraded in more than four years. Advancements made to the processor, camera, and charging system, along with discounts from mobile carriers, could be enough reason for users to finally upgrade this year.