S21 ultra overheating during video call

[Francois11]

Anyone else having their phones getting too hot during whatsapp video call?

[AbDhooma]

My S20FE did the same yesterday. It's these junk Exynos Chips. I'm moving over to iPhone at the end of this year. I'd rather save up and buy a device I can trust then buy another underperforming Samsung device again

[Members_6EWlLfi]

Iphone heats up more than Samsung

[Mirnajvb]

My S21+ does the same...

[Maps_sam07 · Accepted solution]

Hi Francois11 

When you use features or applications that require more power or use them for extended periods, your device may temporarily heat up due to increased battery consumption. And during wireless or wired charging, the device and the charger may become hot. Also, your device may heat up due to the exterior environment conditions(i.e. using for extended periods in very hot areas, storing device in very hot temperatures, exposure of device to direct sunlight. Etc) When the device heats up or becomes to specific temperature during charging or using, algorithm to prevent device’s overheating operates and accordingly the features and performance may be limited with “Device cooling down” pop-up. Then, the screen brightness and the performance speed will be limited. Running apps will be closed and you will only be able to make emergency calls until the device cools down. Also the device may turn off to cool down. This is a normal operating condition to prevent damage to the device. At that time wait for the device to cool down and then begin using or charging the device again.

[Anonymous]

This is far from resolved. Every time any video calling app is used, be it WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal or any other video calling service, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Exynos 512MB Dual Sim variant constantly overheats within 5 minutes of being on a call. This doesn't happen with the S7 edge S8, S9 plus or the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G. Responsiveness becomes sluggish and the phone borders on unusable, not to mention the excessive and dangerous heat it produces.

There's definitely something fundamentally wrong with this S21 Ultraas the temperature of the top of the body reaches uncomfortable levels far exceeding 65°C and is uncomfortable to even hold or touch for more than a few seconds.

I tested every phone in my list above with 2+ hour video calls with and without basic case protection and none of the pre-S21 models overheated, they were just comfortably slight warm. However the S21 was in a temperature zone that could and will easily cause battery and other component damage and the phone did not once attempt self limit cooling like you mention.

Your answer is not a solution and this problem needs to be addressed as it has not been even after multiple OTA updates since release.

I'd share a screen shot of the excessive battery drain and dangerous heat levels but this forum doesn't allow it. I will be advising everyone to stay away from this phone until Samsung either fix or recall all units. This is a ridiculous situation. Please sort it. This phone cannot be used as it's primary function, a video phone, without a fix and therefore it goes against trading standards regulations as it is not fit for the purpose and anyone would be able to easily seek a full and immediate refund or replacement under their rights this legislation regardless of Samsung policy.

Surely Samsung don't want to try to brush this one under the carpet?

[Maps_sam07]

Hi  Rapturoso 

Samsung is aware of these issues and they will be releasing a new software update to fix these bugs, however you can take the device to the service center to have it assessed by a technician.

https://www.samsung.com/za/support/service-centre/

[Ssingh919]

If phone is within warranty , shouldn,t sqmsung issue a refund with an apology for making this practically unusable phone.

[I hate s21]

13 month later and still no satisfactory answer.

People spend 1 month pay on samsung and samsung just string along customers that updates will fix the problem. If it was a car, the government would force them to fix the problem. I am unlucky that I bought phone outright or I would have thrown the phone at the person who signed me up to the contract.

[Magezi_P]

So Samsung is aware of the problem and failing to resolve it, is that what you're telling us?  This problem was reported in 2021 and we're still experiencing it now in 2023. I took my phone to a service center and it looks like they don't have solution. So what must I do now?