Is the OnePlus Open worth buying?

With the brand’s first foray into the foldable phone market, the OnePlus has caught the attention of the tech industry – but is the OnePlus Open worth buying? With its impressive hardware and innovative software features, the Open aims to compete with established players such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Google Pixel Fold. Coming in at about $200 cheaper than both of these devices, the OnePlus Open could be worth considering as an alternative folding phone.

So, as the market for foldables gets even more competitive, what does the OnePlus Open bring to the table? In this brief yet comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the key aspects of OnePlus’s foldable smartphone to determine whether or not this device is worth your time and money.

Specifications and pricing

The OnePlus Open boasts top-of-the-line specifications that make it a truly formidable contender in the segment of foldable phones. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and coupled with a whopping 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the device is as powerful as the competition such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5. In terms of its software, the light yet feature-packed OxygenOS 13.2 has been perfectly optimized for the foldable experience, and the company says it will support up to four years of OS upgrades for the Open, as well as five years of security updates.

The OnePlus Open comes with a price tag of $1,699, which although may seem expensive, is actually a more affordable price than the Galaxy Fold 5 and the Pixel Fold, which are $1,800 and $1,799 respectively. Additionally, OnePlus offers a guaranteed trade-in value of at least $200, meaning if you already have a OnePlus phone, you can use it to get money off and effectively bring the cost down to about $1,499.

Design and display

One of the standout features of the OnePlus Open is its design. Co-developed with OPPO, the Open benefits from OPPO’s early experiments in foldable phones. The device follows OPPO’s wide cover screen design, resulting in a foldable phone that is comfortable to use when closed. The 6.31-inch front-facing display is larger than the base Galaxy S23, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,800 nits.

When unfolded, the OnePlus Open reveals a brilliant 7.82-inch internal AMOLED panel with equally impressive specifications. With a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,800 nits of peak brightness, the internal display provides an immersive viewing experience. Unlike some competitors, the OnePlus Open’s internal display feels like two traditional smartphones stuck together, allowing for comfortable multitasking and app usage, or a more tablet-like experience.

Camera quality

The circular triple camera setup on the OnePlus Open is another one of its most notable features, iconic of flagship OnePlus phones. The device features a 48MP primary camera, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 64MP telephoto camera with impressive zoom capabilities for clear pictures from a range of distances. The primary camera utilizes Sony’s LYT-T808 sensor, which captures more light in a smaller footprint, resulting in detailed and well-exposed images. The telephoto camera performs exceptionally well, providing natural-looking shots with a rich bokeh effect.

Software experience

The software experience on the OnePlus Open is a mixed bag. The device runs on Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.2 custom operating system out of the box. For those that haven’t experienced OxygenOS yet, a notable feature is the multitasking layout called Open Canvas, which allows users to store extra apps along the edges of the 7.82-inch display, providing a unique and efficient way to switch between apps. Users can also run three apps simultaneously on the main display, offering a multitasking experience uniquely optimized for the device.

Performance and battery life

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and 16GB of RAM, the OnePlus Open delivers impressive performance in day-to-day usage. The device handles multitasking with ease, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously without any noticeable slowdowns. Gaming performance is also commendable, with graphically demanding games running smoothly and the device remaining relatively cool during extended gameplay sessions.

The OnePlus Open houses a 4,805mAh battery, which is among the largest in the foldable phone category. The device offers 67W wired SuperVOOC charging, allowing for fast charging on the go.

Durability

In terms of durability, the OnePlus Open offers Ceramic Guard protection for its cover display. However, the device only has an IPX4 rating, which means it is resistant to light splashes but not fully waterproof, or dustproof for that matter. While the OnePlus Open’s hardware is impressive, its durability could be a concern for some users: so, it has to be said, handle your Open with extra care.

Pros and cons of the OnePlus Open

Let’s look at the pros and cons of the OnePlus Open:

Is the OnePlus Open worth buying?

The OnePlus Open offers a compelling foldable package with its impressive hardware, innovative software features, and competitive pricing. If you are in the market for a foldable phone and want to try OnePlus’ take on this form factor, the Open is a solid choice that offers plenty of advantages over the competition. With its functional display, near-crease-less design, fast charging capabilities, and clean Android OS experience, it provides a premium user experience.

However, if wireless charging is a must-have feature for you, or if you prioritize camera performance in low-light conditions, you may want to consider weighing in on the other options. The OnePlus Open falls short in these areas compared to some of its competitors, such as the Pixel Fold or the Galaxy Fold 5.