The OnePlus 15 just hit the global stage with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. On paper, it’s a flagship contender with top-tier specs. But a recent head-to-head test from Max Tech revealed a major flaw: when pushed hard, the phone overheats and crashes.
OnePlus 15 buckles under synthetic pressure
In Max Tech’s video, the OnePlus 15 initially kept pace with the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Early benchmark results were strong, showcasing solid CPU and GPU performance. But things shifted during the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, where the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 was pushed beyond its limits.
Midway through the looped benchmark, the OnePlus 15 began throttling heavily. Features like the flashlight and hotspot were auto-disabled in an attempt to control the rising heat. Ultimately, the phone couldn’t finish the test. It overheated and force-closed the app, ending the benchmark prematurely.
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iPhone 17 Pro Max holds its ground
The iPhone 17 Pro Max completed the same test without issue. Its peak surface temperature was about 40°C, with thermal imaging showing even heat distribution across the device. In contrast, the OnePlus 15 hit 52°C, and the heat was concentrated in uneven patches. That lack of thermal balance likely contributed to the crash.
After the crash, performance recovers
Once the stress test ended, the OnePlus 15 returned to form. Gaming performance was smooth, and heat levels stayed in check during normal use. But the earlier crash highlights the phone’s limited headroom under sustained load — something heavy users and mobile gamers should take seriously.
What went wrong with the OnePlus 15?
Here’s where the phone struggled most:
- Could not complete the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test
- Overheated to 52°C and disabled core features
- Showed uneven thermal distribution
- Required cooldown before resuming normal tasks
- Handled gaming well in lower-pressure segments
Snapdragon strength meets thermal weakness
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has raw power, but it needs proper thermal support to perform reliably. In the OnePlus 15, that balance isn’t quite there yet. The phone looks and feels like a flagship, but when pushed hard, it loses stability.
If you’re considering this device for high-performance use, keep in mind: the firepower is real, but so is the heat.
