If your OnePlus Open feels unusually warm, it's often a sign of the powerful hardware working inside that slim foldable body. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and dual displays can generate heat, especially during demanding tasks. While some warmth is normal, excessive heat can lead to performance throttling or, in rare cases, discomfort. Here’s how to cool things down.
The quickest thing to try is closing all your recent apps. Swipe up from the bottom and hold, then swipe away every app card. Next, give your phone a quick restart by holding the power button for a few seconds and tapping restart. This clears out any stuck processes that might be silently working the processor overtime.
Check What's Running and Close Demanding Apps
Start by checking your recent apps. Some apps, particularly games, video editors, or camera apps using multiple lenses, can push the chipset hard. If your phone gets hot while using a specific app, that app is likely the culprit.
Close it and see if the temperature drops. For ongoing issues, head to Settings > Battery > Battery usage. This screen shows which apps have been consuming the most power recently, which often correlates with heat generation.
Social media apps with auto-playing videos and GPS navigation apps running in the background are common offenders. I'd start by force-stopping any app showing high usage that you don't actively need.
Adjust Your Display and Performance Settings
The inner display on the Open is large and brilliant, which takes power. Lowering the brightness can have a direct impact on heat. Consider disabling auto-brightness temporarily and setting it to a comfortable manual level.
You can also switch the refresh rate. Go to Settings > Display & brightness > Screen refresh rate. Try selecting "Standard" (60Hz) instead of "High" (120Hz). The smoother scrolling is nice, but the standard rate is easier on the processor and battery.
OxygenOS has a performance mode that can ramp things up. Go to Settings > Battery > More settings and look for performance mode settings. Ensure it's not set to a high-performance mode for general use, as this keeps the CPU ready for action and generates more heat.
Manage Your Charging Habits
The included 67W SUPERVOOC charger is incredibly fast, and fast charging creates heat. It's normal for the phone to feel warm during a charging session, especially if you're using it while plugged in.
If the heat during charging concerns you, try charging without using the phone. Also, consider using a slower charger (like an older 18W USB-C brick) overnight. The phone will charge much cooler, though of course, much slower.
Since the OnePlus Open doesn't support wireless charging, you don't have to worry about the extra heat that inductive charging can sometimes produce. Always use the official cable and charger or certified alternatives to ensure proper power management.
Update Your Software and Review App Permissions
Software bugs can sometimes cause runaway processes. Go to Settings > About device > OxygenOS version to check for updates. OnePlus frequently releases updates that optimize performance and thermal management.
Also, check for app updates in the Google Play Store. Developers release patches that can fix bugs causing excessive battery and CPU usage.
Some apps running location services in the background can keep the GPS and modem active. Review location permissions in Settings > Privacy & security > Permission manager > Location. Change apps you don't need constant tracking for to "Allow only while in use."
Consider Your Environment and Case
Using your phone in direct sunlight or a hot car will cause it to heat up quickly. The dark surfaces of the phone absorb heat. If it's already warm from use, ambient heat can push it over the edge.
Move to a cooler, shaded area if possible. Also, take a look at your case. A thick, insulating case can trap heat around the phone's body. Try removing the case for a while, especially during intensive tasks like gaming or fast charging, to see if it improves heat dissipation.
Be mindful of the hinge area. While designed to be durable, dust accumulation in the hinge over time could potentially interfere with its mechanics. Keeping it clean with a soft, dry brush can be part of general maintenance.
Perform a Deeper Reset if Problems Persist
If the overheating is sudden and severe, a force restart can help. Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds until the screen goes black and the OnePlus logo reappears. This is different from a normal restart and can clear deeper system glitches.
For ongoing, unexplained heat, you might consider backing up your data and performing a factory reset. This will wipe the phone back to its out-of-the-box state, eliminating any rogue app or corrupted system file that could be causing the issue. Go to Settings > Additional settings > Back up and reset > Erase all data (factory reset).
Remember that some heat is expected with a foldable of this caliber. The inner display's crease is a normal part of the technology, and the phone's cooling system is working to manage the temperature of its advanced components. The fixes above should help bring it back to a normal, comfortable operating range.
