The OnePlus 15 appears impressive on paper, boasting specs that can rival many competitors. However, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, while powerful, has a downside: it tends to overheat. This was evident when the device ran the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark. The application crashed due to high temperatures, forcing other features like the flashlight and wireless hotspot to become inactive until the phone cooled down.
In testing by YouTube channel Max Tech, they noticed the OnePlus 15 overheating during demanding tasks. Despite claims of advanced cooling, it couldn’t handle the heat well. In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, running the same benchmark, recorded a much cooler temperature. After several rounds of the test, the iPhone peaked at 39.5°C while the OnePlus reached 52°C.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 39.5°C
- OnePlus 15: 52°C
When Max Tech repeated the test, the OnePlus 15 showed an overheating warning after just eight minutes, resulting in a crash. This indicates that Qualcomm’s chip may consume excessive power under heavy stress, leading to overheating challenges. Previous analyses noted that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 required 61% more power than the Apple A19 Pro during multi-core tests, impacting efficiency. While both use a similar 3nm process from TSMC, Apple’s design has proven more efficient this year.
Interestingly, the overheating issues primarily arise during intense benchmarks. In daily use or gaming, the OnePlus 15 performs adequately, though it may still feel warm. Experts suggest that manufacturers, including Qualcomm, should focus on realistic power consumption and consider better cooling systems to avoid these temperature spikes.
This thermal behavior isn’t just a technical hiccup; it’s a growing concern among smartphone users. In a recent survey, 72% of phone owners reported experiencing heating issues, particularly during high-demand tasks, emphasizing the need for manufacturers to address these challenges more effectively.
For more insights, check out the detailed video from Max Tech, where they explore the OnePlus 15’s performance further.
Source: Max Tech

