OnePlus Open: A folding tablet that seamlessly transforms into a phone.

The latest folder is slimmer, lighter, more affordable, with a nearly imperceptible crease, rivaling Samsung and Google.

OnePlus enters the foldable phone arena with the Open, aiming to outshine Samsung and Google. Priced at £1,599 (€1,849/$1,699.99), it’s double the cost of regular OnePlus phones but £150 less than its competitors. While still in the ultra-premium range, it approaches the pricing of top standard models.

Five years post the introduction of the first folding tablet-phone hybrid, the design of these cutting-edge devices remains dynamic. The Open distinguishes itself as the most phone-like when closed, featuring a 6.31-inch outside screen identical in size and shape to a standard flat phone. At just 3mm thicker than a regular OnePlus, it avoids feeling excessively bulky, contrasting with the more substantial designs of Samsung and Google. The exception is the sizable camera bump, covering nearly half the back glass when folded.

Unfold the phone like a book to unveil the nearly square 7.82-inch inside screen, perfect for apps but less ideal for widescreen movies. The display matches Samsung’s best, boasting sharpness, exceptional brightness, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Notably, the crease at the center of the folding screen is the least conspicuous among its competitors. While a subtle indentation is detectable by touch and visible in overhead light glare when actively sought, it remains largely unnoticeable.

The slender hinge opens seamlessly, supporting the internal screen at various angles, and securely closes without any gap between the halves. It’s rated for 1 million folds, a fivefold increase compared to the latest Samsung and Google phones. Despite these merits, the OnePlus lacks official dust resistance, offering only splash water resistance. Hence, caution is advised to avoid potential issues if submerged in water.

Similar to other foldable devices, the screen combines ultra-thin glass and plastic for flexibility. Applying enough pressure with your nail can leave marks, necessitating more delicate handling compared to a conventional phone.

Specifications

• Main Screen: Features a 7.82-inch 2K (426ppi) 120Hz AMOLED flexible display.
• Cover Screen: Showcases a 6.31-inch 2K (431ppi) 120Hz AMOLED display.
• Processor: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
• RAM: Equipped with 16GB of RAM.
• Storage: Offers a spacious 512GB of internal storage.
• Operating System: Runs on OxygenOS 13.2 based on Android 13.
• Camera: Boasts a 48MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 64MP 3x telephoto camera. Selfie cameras include 32MP and 20MP sensors.
• Connectivity: Supports 5G, dual SIM, eSIM, USB-C, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS.
• Water Resistance: Holds an IPX4 rating, providing splash resistance.
• Dimensions Folded: Measures 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.9mm when folded.
• Dimensions Unfolded: Expands to 153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8mm when unfolded.
• Weight: Weighs 239g.

Swift processor, extended battery duration.

The Open features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, also found in the OnePlus 11 and other leading Android devices in 2023. Supported by a substantial 16GB of RAM, equivalent to a laptop, this ensures the foldable device is proficient in managing a wide range of tasks, including extensive multitasking on both phone and tablet functions. It exhibits impressive responsiveness, boasting a swift and snappy performance. The device maintains a commendable battery life, lasting approximately 46 hours between charges, comparable to the longevity of top-tier conventional smartphones.

Sustainability

OnePlus guarantees the battery for a minimum of 1,600 full charge cycles, retaining at least 80% of its initial capacity. While the phone does not incorporate recycled materials, OnePlus generally facilitates repairs, with screen replacements priced at approximately £680 and batteries at around £99, excluding labor costs. Although OnePlus is featured in its parent company Oppo’s annual sustainability reports, there is no available trade-in or recycling program specifically for the UK market.

Camera

The substantial camera protrusion on the rear of the Open accommodates a 48MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 64MP telephoto camera featuring a 3x optical zoom. Additionally, the telephoto lens provides an extra 6x magnification by focusing on the center of the sensor, employing a technique akin to recent models from Google and Apple.

Undoubtedly, the Open boasts the most impressive camera in OnePlus history, providing stiff competition for the leading Pixel Fold in the folding camera market, only slightly trailing in certain aspects. The primary camera excels, capturing abundant detail and adeptly managing varied lighting conditions. The ultrawide lens performs reliably, and the telephoto lens delivers commendable images at 3x in most lighting scenarios and 6x in bright conditions, complemented by digital zoom capabilities.

However, all the cameras face challenges with motion, particularly in lower lighting conditions, leading to photos that may lack the desired sharpness without careful consideration. While video capture is reliable, it may not claim the top spot in the market.

The selfie camera on the cover screen performs decently, and the internal screen’s selfie camera is excellent for video calls. Nevertheless, opting to use the main camera for selfies through a viewfinder on the cover screen yields notably superior results.

Price

The price of the OnePlus Open is £1,599 (€1,849/$1,699.99).

In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 begins at £1,749, and the Google Pixel Fold is also priced at £1,749 for reference.

Conclusion

The OnePlus Open strikes a balance between the designs of Samsung and Google’s existing folding phones, providing a more phone-like size when closed and a sizable square screen when open.

It proves lighter and less cumbersome for typical phone activities, introducing innovative approaches to multitasking on the tablet-sized internal screen. However, it lacks some advanced features present in leading competitors, resulting in a less robust software experience.

Performance and battery life are commendable, and the internal screen exhibits the least visible fold crease to date, showcasing significant improvement. The camera also performs well, rivaling Google’s offerings. The Open presents itself as a mature product, benefitting from OnePlus’s parent company, Oppo, having prior experience with two foldable models. Nevertheless, durability remains a concern for all foldables, with the Open lacking proper water resistance and OnePlus lacking a proven track record in cutting-edge technology and repairs. Extended software support, especially for such a high-priced device, is overdue.

Pros: Combines phone and tablet functionality seamlessly, appears as a normal phone when closed, minimal visible fold crease when open, top-notch performance, impressive battery life, excellent camera, and intriguing software concepts.

Cons: Limited to splash-proof protection, remains relatively expensive, more fragile than a standard phone with high repair costs, software not as advanced as top competitors, and only five years of updates from the release.