I’m absolutely blown away by the lightweight design of the OnePlus Open and the massive camera bump it features. It’s truly a unique and creative approach to foldable phones. Unlike its competitors, Samsung and Google, who named their phones “Fold” based on the technical aspects, OnePlus chose a more practical name — the OnePlus “Open.”
From the moment I unboxed the device to experiencing its form factor, multitasking capabilities, charging, and price, it’s clear that OnePlus has taken a different path with the Open. It offers a refreshing and distinct experience compared to other foldable phones on the market.
I’ve had the opportunity to test almost every mainstream foldable phone over the past four years, including Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Google’s Pixel Fold. None of them have provided me with the same level of satisfaction as the OnePlus Open. Its outer display boasts a more traditional phone aspect ratio, striking a perfect balance between Google’s shorter and heavier Pixel and Samsung’s tall and narrow Galaxy.
When it comes to foldable phones, weight is a crucial factor. The ideal device should be lightweight, flexible for both phone and tablet use, and easy to handle. The OnePlus Open weighs just 245 grams, making it the lightest big-screen foldable phone available in the US market. Comparatively, the Pixel Fold weighs 283 grams and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 weighs 253 grams. The difference in weight was immediately noticeable when I held them side by side; the Pixel felt outdated in comparison.
However, one major downside of the OnePlus design is the camera bump. It’s large, bold, and takes up about 40% of the back panel. While this may be great for photography enthusiasts, it affects the device’s ergonomics negatively. Even when using a case, which is included in the box along with a 67W charger, the bulge cannot be fully covered. The button placement is also a minor drawback. While the alert slider is convenient, the volume rocker is positioned too high, making it awkward to adjust the volume without risking the device slipping from your hand.
Despite these flaws, the OnePlus Open stands out with its software features. Open Canvas, a split-screen feature reminiscent of multi-desktops on Windows and Macs, allows users to open up to three apps simultaneously. Tapping on one app enlarges it while the others are automatically tucked away, creating a seamless multitasking experience. This sets OnePlus apart from Samsung and Google in terms of software.
I haven’t faced many issues with OnePlus’ software over Android 13, but familiar OxygenOS problems persist. The aggressive app power management causes delayed notifications for services like Gmail and WeChat, and the frequent “This app is draining battery in the background” alert can be annoying. With 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the OnePlus Open could benefit from a less intrusive approach to app management.
In terms of camera performance, I believe the OnePlus Open surpasses both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Google Pixel Fold. While the hardware specifications play a role, with OnePlus offering more generous and up-to-date camera systems, the color science and image processing are what truly set it apart. The Hasselblad-tuned cameras make subjects pop with warmer and blue/orangish hues, and the new “Pixel Stacked” sensor by Sony helps capture and balance various light sources while maintaining a natural-looking foreground and background separation.
If you’re considering purchasing the OnePlus Open, it offers a competitive price point of $1,699, $100 less than its Samsung and Google counterparts. Currently, OnePlus also offers a trade-in program where you can deduct at least $200 from the total price by trading in any phone in any condition. However, it’s important to note that the OnePlus Open is not available at carrier stores, so installment plans typically offered by carriers are not an option.
OnePlus has made a conscious choice to exclude wireless charging from the Open to maintain a sleek profile. If multitasking, camera performance, form factor, and fast charging are your top priorities, then the OnePlus Open may be the ideal choice for you.
