Samsung's Galaxy Phones May Soon Combat Throttling with Liquid Cooling Technology

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Samsung's Galaxy Phones May Soon Combat Throttling with Liquid Cooling Technology

Samsung is renowned for integrating top-of-the-line chips in its Galaxy flagship phones. However, performance often suffers due to thermal throttling as the devices work to prevent overheating. A new report suggests that Samsung is actively researching liquid cooling technology to address this long-standing issue, potentially ushering in a new era for Galaxy smartphones.

A New Era of Cooling Technology

A recent report from South Korea reveals that Samsung is assembling a dedicated team to innovate active cooling solutions for future Galaxy devices. Among the options under consideration are liquid cooling systems and fan-based air cooling, with liquid cooling emerging as the preferred choice. The proposed system would involve a sealed loop of coolant circulating directly around the chipset, effectively drawing heat away from the source.

According to Park Min, director of Samsung's Production Technology Research Institute, while air cooling could suffice, the noise and added weight of fans make it a less desirable option.

Samsung's previous Water Carbon Cooling system on the Galaxy Note 9 demonstrates an innovative approach to heat management by transforming water into steam to absorb heat from the chip, a principle similar to the liquid system being explored now. | Image by Samsung

Industry Context: Samsung is Not Alone

It's worth noting that Samsung is not the first company to venture into active cooling for smartphones. Brands like Nubia offer gaming-centric devices featuring both liquid and air cooling solutions, while manufacturers like Oppo and Vivo have released phones with their own air cooling innovations.

The Importance of Addressing Thermal Throttling

Thermal throttling significantly impacts smartphone performance, often leading to a spike in benchmark scores followed by a drop-off as the device manages heat. This effect is particularly noticeable during extended gaming sessions or intensive AI tasks. For example, when testing the Galaxy S25 Ultra's vapor chamber, competitors like the OnePlus 13 performed better in maintaining sustained speeds.

Samsung currently relies on vapor chamber technology, but as chips become more powerful (such as the new 2nm models), the limitations of this approach become apparent. Implementing liquid cooling could represent a significant advancement in managing heat and enhancing overall performance.

RedMagic's AquaCore system exemplifies the active liquid cooling technology Samsung might soon adopt, featuring a miniature built-in pump to circulate coolant effectively. | Image by RedMagic

A Promising Future, yet Uncertain

If Samsung does introduce liquid cooling into its Galaxy line, it would rank as one of the most significant hardware advancements in recent years, especially given that the Ultra line has been leveraging similar specifications for some time. However, it's crucial to note that many ideas explored by research teams never make it to commercial products. Until Samsung confirms a live product, this revelation remains speculative—but one that many tech enthusiasts eagerly await.

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