The OnePlus Open was simply the perfect foldable launched in 2023, clearing a comparatively low bar left by its competitors. How does it maintain up a yr later? I’ve spent a while with the OnePlus Open Apex Version currently to seek out out, and it’s extra of a blended bag this time round.
Trying first on the {hardware} perspective, the match and end of the OnePlus Open is well among the many finest, if not the finest within the foldable area. That’s thanks largely to the superb hinge. The crease is barely seen on the show, and the hinge has a pleasant “snap” feeling each on opening and shutting. It’s additionally a really clean movement, although this hinge nonetheless isn’t as able to “stick” at varied positions in comparison with foldables from Samsung and Google. This new unit I’ve been utilizing clearly has a recent show, however I used to be nonetheless utilizing my unique Open unit via parts of 2024, and the crease by no means worsened in that point, nor did the hinge.
In utilizing this new “Apex Version,” I’ve additionally had the pleasure of attempting out the (fake) leather-clad end which is far more grippy in comparison with the glass-backed inexperienced variant I used to be beforehand utilizing. I’ve really come to simply not use a case, the place I felt like I wanted that added grip final time round. That brings me to one of many components of the OnePlus Open that’s improved vastly because the preliminary launch – equipment.
Once I was utilizing the Open the primary time round, discovering a case or a display screen protector was nearly inconceivable. That’s modified dramatically, with a number of inexpensive and available display screen protector choices surfacing on Amazon, and instances additionally available even from acknowledged manufacturers reminiscent of Spigen. That’s nice to see, and I hope OnePlus can hold these companions on board for the subsequent iteration of this foldable.
I used to be additionally inclined to not use a case simply to showcase the beautiful purple end of the “Apex Version.” That’s the one seen distinction on this restricted launch (which is already bought out). The one different modifications are boosting storage to 1TB and including a “VIP Mode” to the Alert Slider which makes some privateness modifications reminiscent of disabling the digital camera and microphones.
The Open’s shows have additionally aged nicely, with the 2 OLED shows nonetheless rivaling the most recent launched by way of brightness at 2,800 nits. I didn’t really feel any compromise within the shows whereas utilizing the Open, even over a yr after its launch, in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Pixel 9 Professional Fold I’ve been utilizing over the previous few months. If something, the Open’s minimal crease and, extra importantly, it’s anti-reflective layer have actually left this as a reminder of how far forward OnePlus was. I nonetheless want each foldable had this anti-reflective end as a result of it really makes for a greater expertise.
If there’s one unfavorable I’ve discovered with the show, it’s really associated to the software program. By default, the scaling on the OnePlus Open is fairly terrible, particularly on the outer show. UI parts are too massive which results in apps and even the keyboard feeling overly cramped for no motive. Switching issues over to “Small” within the “Show measurement” settings makes an enormous distinction on this regard, however OnePlus completely must rethink the default conduct.
And, since we’re speaking about software program, let’s dive again into OxygenOS, the place not a lot has modified over the previous yr.
As of November 2024, the OnePlus Open remains to be operating Android 14, with an Android 15 improve within the works and set to be launched “quickly.” I used to be actually dissatisfied to see that a number of the quirks and issues I bumped into the primary time round haven’t been fastened. Some apps nonetheless power the gadget into panorama mode on the interior show (after which stay in that state should you shut the gadget), and the taskbar is messy with a number of apps. One of many examples I bumped into most incessantly was with Telegram, the place the taskbar covers up a portion of the textual content enter subject. The taskbar has additionally grown a bit extra inconsistent for me, with apps not at all times in a position to be long-pressed to pull and drop for split-screen multitasking. This looks like a bug launched in updates, and one thing that I’d count on to be fastened in additional patches.
Open Canvas, OnePlus’ tackle split-screen multitasking, stays a standout function of this gadget. Whether or not you’re utilizing two apps or three, the “larger than the show really is” nature of Open Canvas makes for a really fluid and helpful option to multitask. In brief, the way in which this works is by letting the app run simply “exterior” of the show’s space, with a faucet or swipe bringing it again into focus. You by no means really “go away” an app, however simply push it off to the facet, very similar to the way you would possibly swap forwards and backwards between bodily papers on a desk. Open Canvas is totally good, and a really compelling a part of the expertise on the OnePlus Open.
I simply hate that it’s surrounded by random quirks and poor selections.
A type of poor selections that also irks me is that the homescreen locks you right into a 4×6 structure, leaving apps not as dense as they are often on each different Android cellphone. That’s the sort of factor I’d hoped would have been fastened over the previous yr, but it surely hasn’t.
The software program expertise on the Open is on no account unhealthy, it’s simply inferior to it needs to be. OxygenOS remains to be discovering its footing after merging with Oppo’s ColorOS, and the upcoming Android 15 replace seems to be good, however I believe OnePlus must spend some extra time optimizing all the things for its foldable specifically. That’s very true as OnePlus’ competitors heats up. I used to be keen to place up with a number of OxygenOS’ shortcomings in 2023 as a result of there wasn’t something higher within the US (and lots of the different markets the place this cellphone is bought) on the time. However in 2024, OnePlus has to compete with the likes of improved {hardware} on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the place One UI has a bit extra polish, in addition to competing with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, which rivals OnePlus on {hardware}, and arguably beats it on the software program facet of issues.
One thing that wants no fixing is the digital camera, which stays stellar.
OnePlus Open was instantly my favourite OnePlus digital camera of all time, and it nonetheless takes nice pictures. Every little thing is crisp, pretty true to life, and the flexibleness of the digital camera {hardware} delivers a wonderful expertise throughout the board. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s precedence on a skinny design left the gadget with digital camera {hardware} that may’t fairly stack up towards the Open, and Google’s generally-excellent software program doesn’t fairly make up the distinction. I’d argue that the Pixel might be a extra dependable point-and-shoot digital camera in most eventualities, however the Open isn’t too far off, and these are, on the very least, equally good cameras to my eyes.
Furthering the comparisons to Pixel 9 Professional Fold, which I consider is the important thing competitor to match with the Open, the {hardware} is a battlefield for these two. The Pixel is thinner, has a much bigger show, and helps options OnePlus lacks reminiscent of wi-fi charging. The Open actually is an acquired style after utilizing the Pixel, as the enormous digital camera module on the again is usually a bit annoying, and the excessive placement of the ability button and quantity rocker could be a little cumbersome at occasions. Nevertheless, the Open’s smoother hinge, anti-reflective show, and higher cameras actually win a number of factors in my e-book. The Pixel will stay my day by day driver primarily as a consequence of its software program, however choosing between these two is known as a toss-up.
The one different comparability I could make within the States is to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Samsung’s newest launch has significantly better {hardware} and I prefer it lots, however once you weigh out the professionals and cons, the Open takes a decisive victory. The Fold 6 is the results of Samsung getting means too comfy with its lead within the foldable area, with the 2024 launch not beating the OnePlus Open launched a yr prior in any significant capability exterior of its trade-in values.
Battery life is unquestionably one other level within the Open’s favor in comparison with each Google’s and Samsung’s releases. The marginally bigger 4,805 mAh battery within the Open mixed with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip results in longer battery life in comparison with the Pixel. The place the Pixel typically wants a top-off late within the day, the Open is mostly in a position to energy via a full day with at the least 30% left within the tank on the finish of the day. When it does come time to cost, the insanely fast 67W charging means I can normally simply not cost the gadget in a single day and as a substitute plug it in whereas I bathe and prepare for the day within the morning. That largely makes up for the dearth of wi-fi charging.
The OnePlus Open, in many methods, holds as much as the competitors in 2024. The one notable competitor, at the least within the US, is Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and it’s a extremely tight race which solely speaks to simply how good the Open was when it launched.
Evidently, the Open undoubtedly holds its personal in 2024, particularly once you think about that it’s not laborious to seek out reductions. For Black Friday, the Open is down to simply $1,199, making it simply the perfect deal within the book-style foldable area within the States. The one factor to be barely cautious about is the replace coverage, as OnePlus solely dedicated to 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety updates. A yr of that’s already handed. For the best worth, just like the Black Friday gross sales, that’s completely acceptable although. It’s additionally price noting {that a} sequel is anticipated within the first half of 2025, and it’s shaping as much as be one thing particular.
What do you consider the OnePlus Open? Did you purchase one? Let’s talk about within the feedback!
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