OnePlus Open: A Bold Challenger to Samsung’s Foldable Throne?
The foldable smartphone market is rapidly evolving, with brands like Samsung leading the charge. However, OnePlus, known for its value-driven approach, has now entered the fray with its first foldable, the OnePlus Open. This device promises to shake up the premium segment, offering a compelling alternative to Samsung’s dominance. By marrying OnePlus’ renowned software experience with an innovative, thin design, and a powerful camera system, the OnePlus Open looks to be a strong contender. But is it enough to dethrone Samsung’s foldable supremacy, or is it just a promising start? Let’s delve into the features and specifications of the OnePlus Open to see how it stacks up against the competition.
A Design That Stands Out
The OnePlus Open makes a strong first impression with its sleek design. The Voyager Black version, with its faux-leather textured back and slate-grey matte finished frame, evokes a retro-inspired premium feel reminiscent of vintage compact cameras. The large, prominent camera module, almost as thick as the device when unfolded, signals OnePlus’ commitment to photography prowess. And to further emphasize this focus, the camera module proudly displays the Hasselblad "H" branding, underlining the partnership and its implications for imaging capabilities.
The overall aesthetic leans towards modernity and minimalism, even with the leather back adding a touch of nostalgia. The bezels surrounding both the outer and inner displays are impressively thin, and while the displays feature hole-punch selfie cameras that aren’t hidden as in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, they are discreet and barely noticeable.
One of the OnePlus Open’s most remarkable aspects is its thinness and lightness. When folded, it measures a mere 11.9mm thick, excluding the camera bump, and when unfolded, it boasts an impressive 5.9mm thickness. These dimensions are particularly impressive for a full-size foldable. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, while a notable piece of engineering, weighs significantly more at over 253g.
The OnePlus Open’s weight advantage underscores its focus on portability. It tips the scales at just 239g, making it incredibly light for a foldable device. Even the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, despite being lighter than previous iterations and simpler in design, weighs 221g. The OnePlus Open’s weight is a testament to the company’s engineering prowess, successfully balancing a large screen size with a comfortable, lightweight design.
A Vibrant Display and Powerful Performance
The OnePlus Open’s display is a key strength. It features a 6.31-inch 2K, 20:9 aspect ratio outer display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and responsive user experience. This display is paired with a 7.82-inch, 2K, 20:9 aspect ratio main folding display, also boasting a 120Hz refresh rate.
Crucially, OnePlus has ensured that both displays exhibit similar color accuracy and capabilities, guaranteeing a consistent visual experience whether the phone is folded or unfolded. This is a welcome departure from some foldables where screen discrepancies can be noticeable. Both displays leverage OnePlus’ ProXDR technology and LTPO 3.0 for exceptional visual quality and power efficiency.
Under the hood, the OnePlus Open is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, which is also found in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. It’s complemented by a substantial 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This powerful configuration ensures smooth performance even when multi-tasking and handling demanding apps.
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 remains a formidable processor, the announcement of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, set to boast a different architecture and improved efficiency, casts a shadow over the OnePlus Open’s specifications. However, even with the impending arrival of the newer chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is still a top-tier processor, as demonstrated by the OnePlus 11 5G’s impressive performance.
Camera Capabilities: Redefining Foldable Photography
The OnePlus Open distinguishes itself from other foldables with its camera system. This is where OnePlus has truly made its mark. The primary camera utilizes a Sony LYT-T808 sensor with a 48-megapixel resolution and OIS. This sensor’s dual-layer transistor pixel technology allows for a compact size while delivering impressive light-gathering capabilities. OnePlus claims exceptional performance from this sensor, which is certainly an exciting prospect.
The secondary camera, packing an OmniVision IV64B sensor, offers a 3X optical zoom range, extending to 6X lossless zoom and a maximum of 120X. This camera also features OIS, enhancing stability and image clarity. Rounding out the rear camera setup is an ultra-wide camera featuring a Sony IMX581 sensor, a 48-megapixel resolution, and a 114-degree field of view. This ultra-wide camera also benefits from autofocus, supporting its macro capabilities.
The OnePlus Open also boasts two front-facing cameras, both fixed-focus, with a 20-megapixel and a 32-megapixel resolution. This robust camera system, with its combination of high-resolution sensors, optical zoom, and intelligent software, promises to elevate the foldable smartphone photography experience.
A Powerful Battery and Software Features
The OnePlus Open is equipped with a 4,805mAh dual-cell battery with 67W wired charging capabilities. The absence of wireless charging, perhaps a crucial omission for a premium device, is likely a consequence of the device’s slim design.
Software-wise, the OnePlus Open runs OxygenOS 13.2, which is somewhat surprising considering the widespread adoption of Android 14. While OnePlus has stated that Android 14 support will be rolled out at a later date, some users might find the delay disappointing. However, OnePlus has added several intriguing software features to OxygenOS, including a convenient Recents Folder in the taskbar that simplifies multitasking and a feature called Open Canvas, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously. This combination of a refined user interface and powerful software features promises a smooth and intuitive experience for OnePlus Open users.
The Verdict: Promise or Hype?
The OnePlus Open marks a significant step for OnePlus in the foldable market. With a sleek design, powerful performance specs, and an impressive camera system, the device presents a compelling alternative to Samsung’s foldable smartphones. Its thinness, lightness, and camera capabilities are noteworthy, offering a distinct advantage over existing foldables. However, the lack of wireless charging and the delay in Android 14 support might deter some users.
Ultimately, the OnePlus Open’s success will depend on its performance in real-world usage. A comprehensive review will reveal whether this device truly lives up to its promise, delivering on its ambitious design and features, or whether it falls short of the expectations set for it. The OnePlus Open’s entry into the foldable market is a thrilling development. Whether it can challenge Samsung’s dominance or carve out its own space in this niche but growing market remains to be seen. Stay tuned for the comprehensive review to find out if the OnePlus Open delivers on its promise of a truly exceptional foldable experience.
