OnePlus’s premiere foldable device is the Open, a device which is trying to compete with the likes of Samsung and Google by providing an alternate form of the tablet-phone combination that could potentially be the most effective configuration yet.

It has been five years since the arrival of the first folding tablet-phone hybrid and the form of these cutting-edge devices is still evolving. The Open has the most phone-like design when closed, with a 6.31-inch outside screen of a regular flat phone size and shape. In addition, it is only 3mm thicker than a regular OnePlus, making it not overly bulky and less curved than the Samsung or Google’s models. The large camera lump, which takes up nearly half of the back glass when folding, stands out.

The OnePlus Open has a large camera circle at its rear which allows for a secure grip when it is closed. This ensures that your finger has something to hold onto when the device is shut.

Unfold the phone to expose the almost-square 7.82in interior display that works great for apps, yet isn’t ideal for widescreen movies. It is as good as any Samsung device with its vivid, luminous, and fluid 120Hz refresh rate. Plus, the crease in the center is less perceivable than the creases of its competitors. You can still feel a slight dip if you run your finger over it and see it in the glare of bright lights if you go searching for it, but apart from that, it is not noticeable.

The hinge’s slim design allows it to open easily and hold the screen open at a variety of angles, while the two halves come together tightly with no separation when shut. OnePlus Open is only splash-proof and has no formal dust-proofing, so if it is dropped into water, it could cause issues.

The display of this folder-style device is comprised of ultra-thin glass and plastic, allowing it to be collapsible. It must be handled carefully, as it is quite easy to leave a mark on it if pressed with a fingernail. Therefore, it needs to be given more attention than a classic phone. When the device is opened up completely, the crease in the centre of the foldable display is barely visible.

Features

The following are the specific features of the product.

• Main display: A 7.82 inch Amoled screen that is flexible and offers a 2K resolution of 426 pixels per inch with a refresh rate of 120Hz
• Display: 6.31in 2K resolution (431ppi) 120Hz Amoled
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• Amount of RAM: 16GB
• Storage Capacity: Half a Terabyte
• OS: OxygenOS 13.2 (based on Android 13)
• The main camera has 48MP, while the ultrawide is also 48MP; a 3x telephoto with 64MP and both a 32MP and 20MP for selfies.
• Networking Capabilities: 5G support, double SIM card, esim, USB-C, wifi 7, Near Field Communication, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)
• Resistance to water: Rated IPX4 (resistant to splashing)
• Size when compressed: 153.4mm in length, 73.3mm in width and 11.9mm in depth.
• Size of the device revealed: 5.8mm thickness with 153.4mm in length and 143.1mm in width.
• Weight: 239g

High speed processor and extended battery life

The OnePlus Open comes with a USB-C port and, when using the included power adaptor, can be fully charged in 40 minutes or so. However, it does not have the capability to use wireless charging.

The OnePlus open has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 16GB of RAM  comparable to a laptop. This allows users to do practically anything they want on a phone or tablet with the device, without experiencing any lag. Furthermore, its battery life is impressive at around 46 hours between charges, on par with the top regular phones.

OxygenOS 13.2 and its New Feature “Canvas”

The canvas system permits Chrome to occupy the majority of the display, displacing the Premier League and Calculator applications either to the left of the screen (left) or the top of the screen (right).

The OnePlus Open has its own version of Android 13, OxygenOS, similar to other OnePlus phones. It has a distinct multitasking system that differs from other makers when it comes to accessing multiple apps at the same time.

The “canvas” of apps can expand beyond the physical edges of the display when being used in combination with one another, meaning they will not have to be compressed into thin or wide views. When a single app is being used, the other can be pushed nearly out of sight. However, it can be recalled to view again with a simple tap.

This resolution provides a graceful resolution to the issue of programs that may not function optimally when their window sizes are changed. It offers an expanded view of each app whilst still being able to access three or more simultaneously. Additionally, a taskbar at the bottom of the screen allows users to quickly add or switch between multiple apps.

The phone-sized home screen, occupying two pages, is combined into a single page for the tablet-sized home screen. The majority of the other programs do not have the same level of features as Samsung’s with regards to managing the dual screens of a folding device. For instance, with Google’s way, the home display is shared between the external and inner displays, instead of having the option of distinct designs on each screen that Samsung offers.

Swiping up on the cover screen is a great feature that allows users to keep using apps from the inside screen on the outside when they close it. However, it would be even better to have the option to always keep a few apps open, such as Google Maps, when the phone is shut. Unfortunately, OnePlus does not have a similar feature to Samsung’s “Flex mode” or “Dex” mode for desktop computing when it is connected to an external monitor.

The Open’s software has more features than Google’s Fold and boasts a great canvas system for multitasking, though it doesn’t have as much power as Samsung’s implementation.

OnePlus’s commitment to Android and security updates falls behind competitors like Google, who offer seven years, and Fairphone’s ten-year guarantee.

The Camera

The Open has a rather large camera protrusion on the rear that is equipped with a 48MP primary, a 48MP ultra-wide and a 64MP telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom capability. The telephoto lens has the capability to zoom in on the centre of the sensor, much like the latest Google and Apple phones, to offer an additional 6x magnification.

Without doubt, the OnePlus Open boasts the best camera the company has released to date, giving the camera market leader Pixel Fold a challenge in comparison. The main camera captures a good amount of detail and handles different lighting with ease, while the ultrawide is solid and the telephoto captures good images at 3x in most light and 6x in bright light. Digital zoom is also available.

When it comes to capturing motion, all the cameras don’t do the best job, particularly when the lighting is not sufficient, which can lead to photos that lack clarity if one is not careful. Videography is satisfactory, but not the greatest.

The selfie camera on the cover screen is adequate, while the internal screen selfie camera works well for video chats. However, you can achieve much better results with the primary camera utilising the viewfinder on the cover screen to take selfies.

Final Verdict

The OnePlus Open combines aspects of the folding phones from Samsung and Google, providing a more compact size when closed and an expansive square display when unfolded.

Due to its lightweight and less cumbersome design, it is great for activities involving phones. Additionally, it has some creative ideas for multitasking on the large internal display. Nevertheless, it does not have some of the features of its top competitors, making its software capabilities somewhat weaker.

Outstanding performance and battery life, combined with the least visible fold crease of any internal screen, make the Open a remarkably mature device. Its camera is also impressive, providing stiff competition for Google. This is no surprise, given that its parent company, Oppo, has released two folders before this, making the Open their third-generation product.

When it comes to durability, foldables always bring up worries; and unfortunately, the Open is not waterproof and OnePlus does not have a good track record when it comes to new technology or fixing it. Furthermore, long-term software support is notably missing, especially for a product of this cost.

Advantages: Combines the functions of a phone and tablet; resembles a regular phone when folded; smooth transition between open and closed; offers top performance; features a great battery lifespan; has an amazing camera; unique software features.

Disadvantages: Splash-proof only; quite pricey; more easily broken than a normal phone and repair costs are high; software isn’t as good as the top competition; only five years of updates from launch.