Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. One method may include a UE determining a priority of a UE quality of service over UE thermal efficiency constraints, generating a priority indicator based at least in part on the determined UE quality of service priority, and transmitting to a base station via physical layer signaling, the priority indicator. Another method may include a UE determining a priority of a UE quality of service over UE energy constraints, generating a priority indicator based at least in part on the determined UE quality of service priority, and transmitting to a base station via physical layer signaling, the priority indicator. Yet another method may include a base station receiving a UE priority indicator specifying a UE quality of service priority over thermal efficiency constraints and temporarily prioritizing the UE QoS over UE thermal efficiency constraints based on the received priority indicator.