The OnePlus Open Apex Edition: A Finer Foldable with Extra Storage and a Touch of Luxury
In 2024, the foldable phone market is finally starting to bloom. We’re no longer limited to a couple of options, and the arrival of new players like Vivo and Google is shaking things up. But while these brands bring fresh innovations, OnePlus, who launched its first foldable, the OnePlus Open, last year, has decided to refine its offering with the Apex Edition. This new variant offers subtle but significant improvements that may make it a more desirable choice than its standard counterparts.
A New Colourway with Some Minor Refinements
The Apex Edition embraces a captivating Crimson Shadow finish, a bold departure from the previous Voyager Black variant. This new colourway showcases a striking mirror-like chrome finish for its frame, a distinct contrast to the matte finish of the Voyager Black. The elegant Crimson Shadow finish is reminiscent of the OnePlus Emerald Dusk, adding a touch of sophisticated luxury.
The Apex Edition boasts a familiar vegan-leather rear panel, but with a premium crimson red finish. The shiny OnePlus logo embedded in the center adds a touch of elegance. The circular camera module features a crimson red insert, enhancing the overall design.
VIP Mode: Privacy at Your Fingertips
One of the most notable additions to the Apex Edition is the VIP mode, a feature previously seen on the Oppo Find X7 Ultra. This mode leverages a rebranded Alert Slider, similar to the one on the Oppo Find X7 Ultra, which was previously launched in China as the Oppo Find N3 Collector’s Edition. The Alert Slider boasts a three-stage function, an orange accent, and a diamond pattern, making it easier to grip and operate.
When VIP mode is activated, the phone blocks access to the mics and cameras at a hardware level, ensuring complete privacy during sensitive conversations. This feature is especially valuable for individuals who need to maintain a high level of discretion. Notably, the rest of the phone’s functions and features remain operational in VIP mode, offering a seamless user experience.
More Storage Than Your Average Open
While the standard OnePlus Open comes with 16GB of RAM and a maximum of 512GB of internal storage, the Apex Edition offers a generous 1TB of storage, making it ideal for users who record lots of Dolby Vision video in 4K. This expanded storage option aligns OnePlus’ foldable offering with Samsung’s Galaxy Fold models which also offer 1TB storage variants, but are limited to 12GB of RAM.
A Sturdy New Case
The Apex Edition comes with a much-improved case compared to its predecessors. The previous cases, known for being lanky and ill-fitting, have been redesigned for better fit and comfort. The Apex Edition case features premium plastics, a USB port protector, and a soft touch leather-like rear panel, adding to the overall feel of luxury.
What Remains Unchanged?
While several enhancements are evident, the Apex Edition retains some features from its standard counterparts. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor remains unchanged. While this chipset is no slouch, it does fall behind the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, featured in models like the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The camera performance on the Apex Edition is identical to the standard variant, delivering the same high-quality images and videos.
The IPX4 rating for water resistance also stays the same, which is respectable for a foldable device, but falls short of the IP48 rating offered by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the IPX8 rating of Vivo’s X Fold 3 Pro.
Navigating with OxygenOS 14
The Apex Edition continues to run on OxygenOS 14, the well-regarded software experience based on Android 14. It delivers a smooth and intuitive user experience, seamlessly blending with the phone’s unique Open Canvas multitasking feature. This feature allows users to open three apps side-by-side, enhancing workflow and productivity.
The phone also comes with two AI features: Smart Cutout and AI Eraser. While these features were introduced for standard handsets earlier this year, they haven’t reached their full potential, failing to match the capabilities of Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy devices.
The Future of Foldables: AI Integration and Beyond
While the OnePlus Open set a new standard for book-style foldables at launch, competitors have swiftly caught up, particularly in the arena of AI features. Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold is anticipated to introduce advanced AI functionalities, while Apple is poised to integrate AI features into its foldable devices with the launch of iOS 18, expected to roll out in September.
The introduction of AI features is a significant step for the foldable market, ushering in an era of enhanced functionality and personalized experiences. This rapid evolution indicates a clear trajectory toward a future where foldables are not only versatile but also incredibly intelligent.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Open Apex Edition is an excellent choice for users who are seeking a premium foldable experience with enhanced storage capacity and unique features. While it doesn’t boast the latest processor or top-tier AI functionality, its striking design, improved case, and innovative VIP mode make it a compelling proposition.
As the foldable market continues to evolve, it’s a great time to be a tech enthusiast. With innovations like the OnePlus Open Apex Edition and the anticipated arrival of new models from Google and Apple, the foldable future holds immense possibilities.
