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OnePlus Open Preview: Intro
We’ve known for some time that OnePlus is following in the same footsteps as its biggest competitors and is working on an e-phone that folds. This, naturally, will lead OnePlus to yet another booming market that’s ready to be taken. Foldables are indeed the ultimate frontier (for the moment), with the ever-changing firm becoming a part of Google and bringing needed rivalry to Samsung.
While we are aware that a OnePlus foldable phone is on the way, and we appear to be in the know about it, there still needs to be more in our knowledge of the possibility of a foldable phone. At first, we believed that OnePlus would not be afraid to use the infamous “Fold” name, but intriguingly, recent reports suggest that the ever-changing company has finally decided to go with the “OnePlus Open” name, which sounds refreshingly fresh.
What’s new in the device
First OnePlus foldable smartphone on the market
Large 7.8-inch inner display with QHD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Triple camera setup Wide: 48MP + ultra-wide 48MP + telephoto 64MP
Two cameras for selfies: external 32MP and 20MP internal
OnePlus Open Preview: Release date
The official information coming from OnePlus revealed that we’ll get its foldable phone in the second quarter of 2023. However, rumours suggest that the OnePlus Open will be revealed to the public before the end of summer. It remains to be seen when exactly, as we are waiting for a specific time frame for the announcement or release.
OnePlus is likely to hold off for a while following the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s release to the market to ensure that it gets more of the public’s interest. Given that we don’t expect any new foldable to be launched before the end of this year, OnePlus has the freedom to decide when OnePlus Open will break cover.
OnePlus Open Preview: Design & Colors
Based on leaked renders of the device’s design, the Open will be clearly a OnePlus device closely following the brand’s design language, which OnePlus has been developing for decades!
OnePlus will utilize the foldable that folds inwards, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold lineup and Google’s Pixel Fold, which would protect the larger screen from damage from the outside. The issue is that OnePlus is willing to go above and beyond by utilizing a slightly bigger display than the two competitors. The OnePlus Open will reportedly score a 7.8-inch internal display. However, we are still determining the exact dimensions of the display on the outside.
Based on the renderings, the phone could be built with an aluminium frame with chamfered edges and slightly curving edges. The phone’s rear appears to be sporting an imitation leather or coarse sandstone back. This could add a unique variation to the design.
The camera’s large, circular island houses three rear cameras, which look much like the camera housing of the OnePlus 11. A flash with LEDs in the upper part of the device seems odd; however, we’re certain OnePlus might have a valid reason for putting this flash on the device, assuming that the renderings are 100% accurate.
We’re assuming that the OnePlus Open will not be the smallest book-shaped folding device available. We hope that OnePlus can keep the weight to a minimum. No word on any possible ingress protection. Similar to the OnePlus 11, we expect the OnePlus Open to score an optical fingerprint scanner and Face Unlock.
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OnePlus Open Preview: Display
Regarding the display configuration in the OnePlus Open, we have some gaps we need to know about. The specifications of the display’s external dimensions still need to be discovered. The device will have a 7.8-inch internal OLED display that is 0.2 inches larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Pixel Fold, and possibly the forthcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5.
The display will also feature a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a refresh rate of 1-120Hz. Speed will result in an extremely smooth and enjoyable scrolling experience that can change dynamically based on the on-screen content. We are hoping that OnePlus will have an extremely vibrant OLED display that is easy to see in bright daylight.
Regarding the hinge mechanism, the rumour mill remains very quiet, and we’ll need to wait until the official announcement to learn more details about the device’s fundamentals.
Mechanisms.
We have a relatively strong assumption for biometrics that an optical display fingerprint could be used, ideally in an external display. However, the internal show could also get such a sensor.
OnePlus Open Preview: Camera
There are rumours that the OnePlus Open will be utilizing the following camera setup: a primary wide-angle camera of 48MP with unknown specs will be paired with an ultra-wide camera with 48MP, and then, to complete the rear camera setup is a telephoto lens that has 64MP and unspecified zoom capabilities.
The cameras will be placed on circular camera islands similar to the one found on the OnePlus 11 and are likely to be tuned by the iconic photography company and OnePlus Partner Hasselblad.
You’ll be able to take selfies using an external camera of 32MP or an internal 20MP camera. It needs to be clarified whether any cameras will be hidden beneath the display, like the most recent Galaxy Z Fold phones. OnePlus will have a smaller punch-hole design, but we’re not complaining.
OnePlus Open Preview: Performance & Benchmarks
Of course, the rumour mill is convinced that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will be running the upcoming foldable phone. This is very logical, considering that OnePlus flagships always have the most recent Qualcomm chipsets available. The OnePlus Open will be similar in this respect.
However, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 coming up, we shouldn’t be shocked, but we’re likely to be very pleased to see the new chips driving OnePlus, the first smartphone that folds.
The chip has a slightly larger 3.36GHz clock speed when compared to the 3.2GHz standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and interestingly, it matches the specifications of Samsung’s exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy that powered the Galaxy S23 series across the world.
Initial tests conducted by DigitalChatStation show that the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 will offer 14% more powerful CPU and 5.9 per cent more GPU performance.
Regarding storage and memory, OnePlus could rely on a single set of specifications, 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, probably without a microSD slot for expansion. We would like to see an option with 512GB storage available shortly.
OnePlus Open Preview: Connectivity
The OnePlus Open will most certainly be a 5G-capable smartphone. Based on previous OnePlus models, we expect Wi-Fi 6 to be available, and we’re hoping Wi-Fi 6E will be a part of the lineup.
OnePlus Open Preview: OS / Android version
While Android 14 is likely to be available to all eligible Pixel devices, we are still determining if OnePlus will get the next major version of Android straight out of the gate. It’s unlikely that OnePlus has signed an arrangement with Google and gotten a head start in the development of the Android 14 version of the OxygenOS interface. There’s always a possibility.
Suppose the OnePlus Open adheres to the OnePlus 11 in terms of the software support policy. We expect it to be supported for four years with major Android updates and five security updates. This means it’s supported up to 2027 and will receive Android 14, 15, 17, and 16. Security updates will be released in 2028.
OnePlus Open Preview: Battery
Rumours suggest that a battery of 4,800mAh will power the lights on for the OnePlus Open. That would make it 400mAh more powerful than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and, perhaps, the Galaxy Z Fold 5. With the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, this could offer a decent battery life for the OnePlus foldable.
OnePlus Open Preview: Charging Speeds
According to the reports, the rumour mill, the OnePlus Open will support charging speeds of up to 67W, which could be one of the fast-charging folding devices available. OnePlus has already sold several of the fastest-charging models in the US (the OnePlus 11 charges completely in just half an hour), So we’re very excited about the possible sub-hour charging time of the OnePlus Open.
And the never-ending company will include the charger in the OnePlus One box!
OnePlus Open Preview: Audio Quality and Haptics
OnePlus phones have excellent-sounding loudspeakers. We have high hopes for OnePlus Open’s performance in this area. We’re hoping the new design leads to improved audio quality.
For haptics, OnePlus has made considerable improvements to the haptics of its smartphones in the last few years. We expect nothing less than the most accurate, precise and enjoyable feedback from haptics when we see the next major thing in the market of foldable phones.
OnePlus Open Preview: Competitors
It’s certain which phones will head against the OnePlus One: the coming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Google Pixel Fold. Yes, the Galaxy Fold 5 is largely expected to feature S Pen support like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and the Pixel Fold delivers the unmistakable Google experience.
Both use the same book format with big internal displays and a camera that could be a beast. So it’s on the OnePlus One to one-up the competitors.
One thing is for sure that competition does not harm anyone, especially the average consumer. The OnePlus One will disturb the current status quo and force Samsung and Google to put more energy into their next folding giants.
OnePlus Open Preview: Summary and Final Verdict
OnePlus Open has all the potential to disrupt the foldable industry and rise ahead in the foldable category and beat. Yes, the OnePlus One has all the characteristics of a disruptive device.
Regarding price, we’re still determining what to anticipate from the OnePlus Open, but we doubt it will be at a bargain. But, considering OnePlus’s preference for slightly higher-priced devices, we are optimistic that the OnePlus Open would cost less than the Galaxy Z Fold 5 or the Pixel Fold.
Rumours suggest that the OnePlus Open will see the first light of day just before the end of summer. It will be interesting to see it compete against the Pixel Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
