Last Updated on by ICT BYTE
Smartphones have evolved into pocket-sized supercomputers, capable of handling intense graphical workloads, heavy multitasking, and complex computational tasks. However, this immense processing power comes with a significant trade-off: heat. When a device like the iPhone 18 Pro gets too hot, it automatically triggers thermal throttling to protect its internal components. This safety feature prevents overheating but temporarily degrades performance.
Recently, tech enthusiast Matt Birchler decided to test the limits of the iPhone 18 Pro’s thermal management. Instead of using expensive professional cooling gear, Birchler opted for a quirky, everyday item: a cold can of La Croix sparkling water. By placing the chilled beverage on the back of the phone during an intense benchmarking session, he achieved staggering results that highlight just how much power is left on the table due to heat buildup.
The Reality of Thermal Throttling in Smartphones
To understand why this experiment is so fascinating, we must first look at the physics of modern mobile hardware. Smartphones do not have active cooling systems like the fans found in desktop computers or bulky gaming laptops. Instead, they rely on passive cooling, transferring heat from the processor to the phone’s chassis, where it dissipates into the surrounding air.
During prolonged, high-intensity tasks—such as 3D gaming, exporting high-resolution video, or running consecutive benchmark tests—the processor generates heat faster than the chassis can dissipate it. Once the internal temperature reaches a certain threshold, the system automatically lowers the processor’s clock speed. This is known as thermal throttling. While it keeps your phone safe from heat damage, it also causes noticeable drops in frame rates and overall responsiveness.
The La Croix Cooling Experiment
In his quest to see what the iPhone 18 Pro is truly capable of when thermal limits are removed, Matt Birchler devised a simple yet effective experiment. He initiated a prolonged benchmarking session designed to push the device’s processor to its absolute limits. Under normal conditions, the phone would inevitably heat up and throttle its performance to keep temperatures stable.
To counteract this, Birchler placed a cold can of La Croix sparkling water directly against the back of the iPhone 18 Pro. The aluminum can, chilled to refrigerator temperatures and filled with liquid, acted as an incredibly efficient, makeshift heat sink. The liquid inside the can absorbed the heat radiating from the iPhone’s back glass, while the cold temperature of the can helped rapidly lower the device’s external and internal temperatures. This DIY “liquid cooling” setup allowed the phone to maintain its peak operating speeds for a much longer duration.
Impressive Results: A 25% Performance Boost
The results of this unconventional cooling test were nothing short of remarkable. According to the benchmark data, the iPhone 18 Pro cooled by the cold can of sparkling water demonstrated up to a 25% higher sustained performance compared to the standard, uncooled runs.
Without the cold can, the iPhone 18 Pro followed a familiar performance curve: starting strong but gradually dropping in speed as heat built up. With the La Croix can in place, the thermal throttling was significantly reduced, allowing the processor to run at or near its maximum potential throughout the entire benchmarking session. This 25% difference represents a massive performance gap—one that could easily mean the difference between a stuttering gameplay experience and butter-smooth frame rates during extended gaming sessions.
Do We Need Better Cooling in Future iPhones?
While placing a cold soda can on your phone is hardly a practical solution for daily use, the experiment raises important questions about the future of smartphone design. Many Android manufacturers have started incorporating advanced cooling technologies, such as vapor chambers and graphite sheets, to mitigate thermal throttling. Apple has historically relied on highly efficient chip designs to keep temperatures in check, but as performance demands continue to skyrocket, passive chassis cooling may no longer be enough.
For mobile gamers and power users, this experiment proves that the silicon inside the iPhone 18 Pro is capable of much more than it typically delivers over long periods. It suggests that third-party cooling accessories, like snap-on phone fans or thermoelectric coolers, could be highly beneficial investments for those looking to squeeze every ounce of power out of their devices during long gaming sessions.
Conclusion
Matt Birchler’s fun and creative experiment with a cold can of La Croix demonstrates the profound impact that thermal management has on modern smartphone performance. By achieving a 25% boost in sustained performance, this test highlights the untapped potential of the iPhone 18 Pro when kept properly cooled. While you probably shouldn’t carry a cold beverage around just to play games on your phone, the study serves as a fascinating proof of concept for the power of liquid cooling in the palm of your hand.