Snapdragon 8 Elite Runs Hot: Realme GT 7 Pro’s Heating Problem Explained

Despite the chip’s impressive specifications, early benchmarks reveal concerning overheating issues. Android Authority and Digital Trends both observed that the Realme GT 7 Pro struggled to finish initial GPU stress tests. In tests such as 3DMark’s Wild Life and Solar Bay, the device displayed warnings for high temperatures, ultimately shutting down or limiting functionality to avoid damage. Temperatures reportedly peaked at 46°C during these tests, well beyond the safe operating range for most smartphones.

Interestingly, when the benchmark app was disguised to avoid Realme’s potential performance optimizations, the device completed the tests successfully. This indicates that the GT 7 Pro may have specific “benchmark-enhancing” settings that push performance at the cost of heat control, a practice Realme acknowledged as “targeted optimizations.” Realme says these settings prioritize performance during benchmark detection, potentially explaining the extreme temperatures and subsequent shutdowns.

Outside of these benchmarks, the Realme GT 7 Pro performs smoothly, without significant overheating. Digital Trends reported that after a 30-minute gaming session on Asphalt Legends Unite, the device showed only a minimal temperature increase. This difference suggests that the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s overheating is primarily an issue in synthetic stress tests rather than day-to-day tasks or standard gaming scenarios.

When pitted against the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) and Apple iPhone 16 Pro (A18 Pro), the Realme GT 7 Pro showcases impressive performance gains. In Geekbench 6 tests, the GT 7 Pro scored a glaring 9425 in multi-core performance, surpassing the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 7104. However, the disguised Geekbench results indicated a performance drop of up to 63% in single-core scores, highlighting potential benchmark manipulation by Realme.

Realme has confirmed that it’s working on an update to address the overheating issues observed during benchmarks. If software improvements optimize the device’s heat management without compromising its performance, the GT 7 Pro could deliver the full potential of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Given that other Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered devices have managed to handle benchmarks without overheating, the issue seems to lie with Realme’s initial software configuration.

The Realme GT 7 Pro, powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, showcases both remarkable capabilities and initial setbacks. While the chip’s raw power is undeniable, Realme’s approach to benchmark optimization has introduced unnecessary overheating challenges. With upcoming software updates, there’s hope that the GT 7 Pro can balance its high performance with efficient heat management, unlocking its full potential as one of the most advanced smartphones in the market.

Meanwhile, you must also explore the top 11 upgrades that make the Realme GT 7 Pro a must-have.

(Source 1,2)