After much anticipation, iOS 18.2 is now available to users, bringing a host of new features powered by Apple Intelligence, including the Image Playground, Genmoji, and a revamped Mail app. Interestingly, some users claim it may even help keep your hands warm during the chilly winter months.
On Reddit, a user named u/dsdxp shared in the iPhone subreddit that they stumbled upon a hidden feature in the iPhone 16 Pro. Though the remark was made in jest, numerous other users chimed in, recounting their own experiences with their iPhones running unusually hot. A recurring theme in these anecdotes was the Image Playground app, which appears to generate excessive heat during its operation.
Another user, u/PrestigiousPickle8, noted that the same overheating issue occurs with the iPhone 15, adding it has the “added bonus of burning off fingerprints.” Throughout the discussion, several others reported similar overheating troubles. One user pointed out that since the update, the Photos app has also led to overheating, while others experienced the same issue during FaceTime calls. These concerns were initially raised in the beta testing phase, but it seems the underlying cause wasn’t identified and resolved before the public release.
Conversely, some users have reported no issues at all. Despite the tales of overheating and subpar performance, many individuals have enjoyed seamless image generation and only minimal warmth from their devices.
In addition to the heating issues, the Image Playground app is also impacting battery life negatively. One Reddit user claimed they could literally see their battery percentage “tick down” while utilizing the new features.
The Image Playground generates images directly on the device rather than relying on cloud servers. This approach enhances privacy but places an extra burden on the processor and GPU. Without sufficient cooling mechanisms, iPhones can become overheated quite rapidly, impairing overall performance and draining the battery more quickly. Given the widespread nature of this problem, it’s possible that Apple will issue a software update to address battery drain and heat generation concerns.
