OnePlus Open Review: A Balanced Foldable Contender
The foldable smartphone market has evolved rapidly, moving away from the era where merely existing was enough to capture attention. As we head into 2024, manufacturers like Google, Motorola, Huawei, and Honor are challenging the dominance of Samsung. The latest entrant, the OnePlus Open, brings a distinct approach to form factor and weight distribution in this premium segment.
OnePlus has prioritized maximizing screen real estate while keeping the device’s weight manageable. Weighing in at 239g, it is noticeably lighter than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (276g) and the Google Pixel Fold (283g), making it more comfortable for extended daily use.
Design and Hinge Engineering
The device features a hinge mechanism tested for 1 million folds—roughly triple the current industry standard. This component is composed of just 69 parts, a significant reduction from the hundreds typically found in competing designs. This simplification theoretically reduces potential failure points and creates more internal space for battery components.
The hinge provides a satisfying, authoritative snap when closing. However, it does not hold open at as many angles as some rivals, often gravitating toward a fully flat 180-degree position during use.
Display and Performance
The Open utilizes a 7.82-inch interior screen and a 6.31-inch exterior display. Both panels offer 2K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of up to 2,800 nits. Unlike the narrow, often criticized exterior screen of the Galaxy Fold, the OnePlus design offers a more natural, full-size smartphone experience.
Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It also includes Wi-Fi 7 support and a 4,805mAh battery.
Camera Capabilities
The rear of the device features a prominent circular camera module housing a Hasselblad-branded system:
- Primary: 48MP Sony LYT-T808 sensor with optical image stabilization.
- Ultra-wide: 48MP lens with autofocus.
- Telephoto: 64MP sensor capable of 6x “lossless zoom.”
Key Trade-offs
To achieve its lighter profile, OnePlus made specific sacrifices, most notably the exclusion of wireless charging. For a device priced at $1,600, this is a bold omission, though it remains $200 cheaper than comparable offerings from Google and Samsung. The box includes a protective case, a thoughtful addition for a handset of this price point.
While the device lacks a single “game-changing” feature, its focus on weight, display aspect ratio, and refined engineering makes it a serious contender in a maturing market.