Inside the OnePlus 15’s Advanced Thermal Design

The OnePlus 15 has taken smartphone cooling seriously, targeting users who push their devices to the limit. Whether it’s gaming, long video recording, or multitasking, the phone promises to stay cool and deliver consistent performance. Let’s take a closer look at how its thermal system works and whether it makes a real difference for heavy UK users.

The OnePlus 15 features a completely redesigned dual-layer vapour chamber system. This structure uses a massive heat-spreading plate that covers both the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and the battery. The vapour chamber is now 20% larger than that of the OnePlus 13, offering faster heat absorption and transfer. It ensures that the central components stay within safe temperature limits even during long gaming or charging sessions.

Complementing the vapour chamber, OnePlus has introduced a “supercritical aerogel layer.” This lightweight material helps evenly distribute heat across the body instead of allowing it to concentrate in one area. The result is a cooler frame and more comfortable handling, even during extended 120Hz gameplay. UK reviewers have noted that the phone maintains consistent performance in long Genshin Impact or Call of Duty sessions — a common weak point for past models.

OnePlus has also re-engineered the internal layout to reduce thermal bottlenecks. The chipset and battery are placed symmetrically with dual graphite heat paths, allowing both halves of the device to share the cooling load. Airflow inside is assisted by micro venting gaps within the chassis, which help regulate pressure and dissipate excess warmth. This design mimics what’s found in gaming laptops, scaled down for a smartphone form factor.

In real-world terms, the cooling system allows the OnePlus 15 to sustain high clock speeds for longer. Tests have shown that the phone maintains over 90% of its maximum GPU output after 30 minutes of continuous gameplay — a marked improvement from the OnePlus 13, which throttled more aggressively under similar conditions. For power users in the UK, this means fewer frame drops and smoother performance even in demanding tasks.

Battery health also benefits from improved cooling. Excess heat is one of the main causes of battery wear, and the OnePlus 15’s aerogel layer helps stabilise charging temperatures, especially with its 120W SuperVOOC system. The phone rarely crosses 40°C while charging, which is impressive considering how quickly it reaches full capacity. This ensures better long-term battery efficiency and stability.

Another small but clever addition is adaptive thermal control software. The phone constantly monitors its internal temperature and adjusts CPU frequency and GPU load dynamically. This helps balance power efficiency and temperature control in real time, reducing unnecessary throttling without compromising smoothness. For UK users who multitask or switch between heavy apps, it makes everyday use cooler and more stable.

Of course, no cooling system can eliminate heat entirely. Intense gaming sessions or outdoor use in warm conditions will still generate warmth, but the difference lies in how fast the phone recovers. The OnePlus 15 cools down noticeably quicker than most Android flagships, thanks to its dual vapour system and heat redistribution approach.

Overall, the OnePlus 15’s cooling improvements are not just marketing claims—they translate into visible performance stability. For casual users, the benefits may go unnoticed, but for gamers and creators, the difference is significant. In the UK’s cooler climate, this thermal setup ensures the phone runs efficiently and comfortably even during long hours of demanding use.

In summary, the OnePlus 15’s thermal control is one of its strongest engineering achievements. It delivers smoother gaming, faster cooling recovery, safer charging, and longer hardware life. For anyone who regularly pushes their device to the limit, this upgrade is absolutely worth every pound.