OnePlus Open: Review – Is This the Future of Foldable Phones?

Welcome back to Revuvio! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of foldable phones with a comprehensive review of the OnePlus Open. This device marks OnePlus’s bold entry into the foldable market, aiming to redefine what a smartphone can truly be. We’ll explore its design, performance, camera capabilities, software, and everything in between, to determine if the OnePlus Open lives up to the hype and potentially signifies the future of foldable phones. Get ready to discover if this innovative device is a game-changer!

Design & Build Quality: A Statement of Innovation

The OnePlus Open’s design immediately sets it apart. It’s a statement piece, blending elegance with innovation. The first thing you’ll notice is the refined aesthetic. Unlike some clunkier foldable competitors, the Open presents a sleek and cohesive look. It achieves this with a distinct, almost minimalist approach. The back panel offers a choice between a premium leather or glass finish, exuding a sense of luxury. The central spine incorporates a durable ceramic guard panel, adding a layer of robustness and visual appeal. The materials feel high-end, and the build quality is evident the moment you hold the phone.

The hinge mechanism is a crucial element of any foldable device, and OnePlus has invested heavily in the Open’s hinge. It’s designed to be more durable and provide a smoother opening and closing experience compared to some rivals. This is critical for longevity and user satisfaction. Early reports and hands-on experiences suggest the hinge feels incredibly solid and inspires confidence. Furthermore, the hinge design also allows for a near-seamless fold, minimizing the gap that can sometimes be found in other foldable devices.

Beyond aesthetics, the OnePlus Open boasts an IPX4 rating. This means it is splash-resistant, offering a degree of protection against accidental spills and light rain. While it’s not fully waterproof (like some traditional smartphones), this added protection is a welcome feature for everyday use, providing peace of mind knowing the device can withstand minor exposure to liquids. This is a crucial practical advantage when compared to many foldable competitors.

Materials and Construction Details

The choice of materials contributes significantly to the premium feel of the OnePlus Open. The frame, typically constructed from a durable metal alloy, provides structural integrity. The back panel is available in two variants: a luxurious leather option that ages gracefully, and a sleek glass version offering a premium tactile feel. The ceramic guard panel integrated into the camera module not only adds to the phone’s aesthetic appeal but also provides scratch resistance and enhanced durability in areas susceptible to wear and tear. These material choices, coupled with meticulous construction, place the OnePlus Open firmly in the high-end category.

Display: A Visual Feast

The display is undeniably one of the OnePlus Open’s most striking features. This is where the foldable experience truly shines. The device offers two exceptional screens, each designed to deliver a premium viewing experience.

Inner Display: The Main Attraction

The primary attraction is the expansive 7.82-inch LTPO3 Flexi-Fluid AMOLED display. This inner screen provides an immersive experience. The panel’s technology allows for a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring incredibly smooth scrolling and animations. This variable refresh rate adapts to the content being displayed, conserving battery life when static images are shown. The peak brightness, rated at 1400 nits, guarantees excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. With a 1.076:1 aspect ratio, it offers a wider, more cinematic view, perfect for watching videos or playing games. The high resolution, 426 ppi, results in incredibly sharp and detailed visuals.

Cover Display: The Everyday Essential

The outer cover display is a 6.31-inch LTPO3 Super Fluid AMOLED display. This screen is designed for everyday use and is optimized for quick access to information and tasks. With a 20:9 aspect ratio, it offers a more conventional smartphone feel. Like the inner display, it boasts a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate for fluid interactions. The peak brightness hits an astounding 2800 nits, making it incredibly bright and easily viewable under any lighting conditions. The 431ppi resolution provides excellent clarity and sharpness. The cover screen is, therefore, not just a secondary screen, but a fully functional display that can handle the majority of tasks, making the OnePlus Open practical and user-friendly, even when folded.

Performance and Hardware: Power Unleashed

Under the hood, the OnePlus Open packs serious power. The device is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, an advanced chipset known for its exceptional performance and efficiency. This processor handles even the most demanding tasks with ease, whether it’s gaming, video editing, or multitasking. The OnePlus Open won’t break a sweat, regardless of what you throw at it.

Furthermore, the OnePlus Open comes with a generous configuration of 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This means you have ample space for storing photos, videos, apps, and other files. UFS 4.0 provides exceptionally fast data transfer speeds, significantly reducing loading times and improving overall system responsiveness. You can transfer massive files quickly and enjoy a seamless experience across all applications.

RAM and Multitasking Capabilities

The OnePlus Open is further enhanced by its 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which allows for effortless multitasking. You can switch between multiple apps, keep several browser tabs open, and run background processes without any lag or performance slowdowns. This amount of RAM ensures smooth performance, even with intensive workloads. The combination of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, ample storage, and significant RAM makes the OnePlus Open a true powerhouse.

Camera – A Deep Dive: Capturing the Moment

The camera system is a significant selling point of the OnePlus Open, designed to compete with the best in the market. The device features a versatile triple-camera setup, paired with advanced software features and impressive video capabilities, to help users capture stunning photos and videos in any situation. This is a device meant to replace your dedicated camera.

The primary camera is a 48MP sensor with a wide aperture, optimized for capturing a great deal of light. This lens excels in various lighting conditions, including low-light environments. The images are known for their detail and vibrant color reproduction. This is where you will do most of your shooting.

The 64MP telephoto lens offers optical zoom capabilities, enabling users to get closer to their subjects without sacrificing image quality. This is ideal for portraits, wildlife photography, and capturing distant objects. The telephoto lens also helps create beautifully blurred backgrounds, or bokeh, for a more professional-looking image.

The 48MP ultra-wide lens provides a broader field of view, allowing users to capture more in a single frame. This lens is perfect for landscapes, group photos, and architectural shots. The ultra-wide lens also doubles as a macro lens, enabling users to capture detailed close-up shots of small objects.

For selfies and video calls, the OnePlus Open incorporates a 32MP front-facing camera. This camera is designed to capture detailed selfies with natural skin tones and good dynamic range. The front-facing camera also supports portrait mode for creating beautiful selfies with blurred backgrounds. The OnePlus Open also includes a dedicated “Pro” mode for users who desire more control over their photography, with manual controls for white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and other settings. This will appeal to professional photographers and anyone wanting a more personalized experience.

Video recording capabilities are excellent, supporting 4K resolution at up to 60 frames per second for smooth, high-quality videos. You can also record in 1080p at 30fps. The device also features gyro-EIS (electronic image stabilization) to help reduce camera shake and produce stable videos. The OnePlus Open’s camera system is built to provide impressive image and video quality, enabling users to capture and share their memories in stunning detail.

Software and Experience: Intuitive and User-Friendly

The OnePlus Open operates on Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.2. OxygenOS is a highly regarded custom user interface known for its clean and intuitive design, extensive customization options, and focus on providing a fast and fluid user experience. OnePlus has worked to optimize the software experience for the foldable form factor, ensuring a seamless transition between the cover and inner displays.

Key Software Features and Enhancements

OnePlus has introduced several features to optimize the foldable experience:

• Optimized App Compatibility: The OnePlus Open is designed to seamlessly run apps across both the cover and inner displays.
• Multi-Window Support: Take full advantage of the large display with intuitive multi-window modes.
• Flex Form: This allows users to use the device in various angles, such as on a table, with the screen partially open.

OxygenOS 13.2 offers a wealth of customization options, allowing users to personalize their device to match their preferences. This includes various themes, icon packs, and system-wide color schemes. The software also provides advanced privacy features and security enhancements. OnePlus has a proven track record of providing timely software updates and security patches, ensuring that the OnePlus Open stays up-to-date with the latest features and security improvements. The software is designed to provide a user-friendly and feature-rich experience, making the OnePlus Open a pleasure to use.

Audio: Immersive Sound Experience

The OnePlus Open elevates the multimedia experience with its audio capabilities. The device features three Dolby Atmos speakers strategically placed inside the device. These speakers are designed to deliver rich, immersive audio. They create a surround-sound effect, enhancing the listening experience for music, movies, and games.

Dolby Atmos technology works to create a three-dimensional soundstage, making it feel like the audio is coming from all directions. This adds a level of realism and immersion that significantly enhances the overall experience, especially when watching videos or playing games. Whether you are using the internal speakers or connecting headphones via Bluetooth, the OnePlus Open delivers high-quality audio.

Battery Life: Staying Powered Up

The OnePlus Open houses a 4805mAh battery, a battery of reasonable capacity considering the dual displays and powerful processor. This battery capacity, combined with efficient power management features, provides excellent battery life. You can expect a full day of use, even with heavy usage, including streaming videos, gaming, and multitasking. The device’s software intelligently manages power consumption to optimize battery life.

In addition to strong battery life, the OnePlus Open supports 67W SuperVOOC wired charging. This technology allows you to quickly charge the battery, getting a significant charge in just a matter of minutes. This is especially useful for those who need to quickly top up their battery before heading out. Charging is also optimized to prevent overcharging. The OnePlus Open provides an excellent balance of battery life and fast charging.

Alternatives and Verdict: Making the Right Choice

When considering the OnePlus Open, it’s essential to compare it with other foldable phones on the market. One of its direct competitors is the Oppo Find N3, which shares a similar design and feature set. However, the OnePlus Open has a competitive price point, making it a compelling option. While the Oppo Find N3 is an impressive device, the OnePlus Open might provide better value for your money. Also, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series represents another major contender in the foldable market.

The OnePlus Open is a strong contender, particularly for those seeking a premium foldable experience. It excels in design, display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. The software experience is refined, with OxygenOS offering a clean and user-friendly interface. The strong battery life and fast charging are definite advantages. However, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget. If you are looking for the best overall foldable experience and are willing to pay a premium, the OnePlus Open is an excellent choice. It is a bold move by OnePlus, and it has the potential to shake up the foldable phone market.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the OnePlus Open:

1. Is the OnePlus Open IPX4-rated?

   Yes, the OnePlus Open is IPX4-rated, which means it is splash-resistant. It can withstand splashes of water from any direction.

2. What is the OnePlus Open’s camera performance like?

   The camera system on the OnePlus Open is excellent. It captures detailed and vibrant photos and videos, performing very well in various lighting conditions. The triple-camera setup and software features enable a versatile photographic experience.

3. Will the OnePlus Open be a successful foldable phone?

   The OnePlus Open has the potential to be a significant success in the foldable market. Its premium design, high performance, and competitive price make it an appealing choice for consumers seeking a top-tier foldable experience.

4. What is the price of the OnePlus Open?

   The OnePlus Open starts at $1,699. This is competitive for the premium foldable market. The price reflects the advanced features and high-end components.

5. What is the battery life like on the OnePlus Open?

   The OnePlus Open offers excellent battery life. The 4805mAh battery, coupled with optimized power management, can easily provide a full day of use, even with heavy usage.

6. Does the OnePlus Open support fast charging?

   Yes, the OnePlus Open supports 67W SuperVOOC wired charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery. It takes a short time to charge from 0 to 100%.

7. Does the OnePlus Open have a good display?

   Yes, the OnePlus Open has a fantastic display. It features both a high-quality inner folding display and an external cover display. Both are AMOLED and boast high refresh rates, and offer sharp, vibrant visuals.

Conclusion: The Future is Folding

The OnePlus Open is a compelling device. It delivers a premium experience at a competitive price, making it a strong contender in the foldable phone market. Its innovative foldable design, stunning display, powerful camera system, and user-friendly software make it a standout choice for those looking to embrace the future of mobile technology. The OnePlus Open showcases OnePlus’ commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It’s a bold step forward in the evolution of smartphones.

However, it’s essential to consider whether the price point is justified for your needs and how much you need a foldable phone. If you are looking for the absolute best in foldable technology, then the OnePlus Open is worth the investment. It’s a testament to OnePlus’ vision and their ability to deliver a top-tier mobile experience. For those ready to step into the future of mobile technology, the OnePlus Open is a great choice.