For the longest time, if you were in India and looking for an ultra premium foldable phone, your go-to was pretty much the Samsung Galaxy Fold series.
Sure, there are those clamshell foldables from Oppo and Motorola, but for large-format foldables, Samsung's been the undisputed king.
Well, until now. This the OnePlus Open, OnePlus's first foray into the world of hinged phones, and it's not just here to participate – it's ready to give Samsung a run for its money right off the bat.
In our OnePlus review, we take a detailed look at the phone's design, displays, performance, and much more.
OnePlus Open Price
The OnePlus Open price in India is set at ₹1,39,999 for the 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage model, and represents a significant investment in high-end smartphone technology.
OnePlus Open Unboxing: OnePlus Open First Impression
Having carried around the OnePlus Open for a few weeks, I can tell you that its appearance is somewhat misleading.
The phone's slab-like sides and humongous camera bump give it a somewhat intimidating look, and holding it can feel a bit awkward, especially due to the camera's position forcing your grip lower on the casing.
But trust me when I say this, looks can be deceptive.
OnePlus Open Design
The Open is surprisingly light, thanks to OnePlus using ultra-light alloys and adopting some smart design choices. It's actually both lighter and slimmer than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and when I Slip it into my pocket, it feels more like a regular phone rather than a foldable.
The hinge mechanism on the Open deserves praise too. It's perfectly calibrated to allow for a mini-laptop mode, and when fully opened, it snaps into place with a satisfying click.
As with most foldable phones, there's a crease on the main screen if you are looking for it, but it's less pronounced compared to the Fold 5, resulting in a smoother and cleaner appearance.
OnePlus Open vs. Samsung Galaxy Fold: The Waterproofing Trade-off
On the flip side, while Samsung’s foldables might be a bit heavier and creasier, they do come with that IPX8 rating, so they can take a dunk in water without a fuss.
The OnePlus Open, on the other hand, is only splash-proof with an IPX4 rating.
Its not really a huge issue but there’s always that question about how it’ll hold up over the long haul since this tech is still relatively new.
OnePlus Open Colours
Now, when it comes to design choices, there aren’t a ton of options here . You’ve got the Emerald Dusk version with its classic glass back, and while it’s perfectly fine, I'd pick this Voyager Black version any day of the week.
There's something about the rich, warm texture of the leather that feels great in your hand, and it can handle a fair amount of abuse as well.
Another bonus is that it comes with a case right in the box, a thoughtful addition that I really appreciate, especially considering Samsung's foldables don't come with one.
Also Watch: iQOO 12 Review
OnePlus Open: Alert Slider & IR Blaster
And talking about things I appreciate, the alert slider is very much much alive and kicking on the Open. It’s still present on the right side and remains super convenient for quickly silencing unwanted notifications or calls.
I've also got to give a shoutout to OnePlus for bringing back a classic Android feature – the IR blaster. It's a lifesaver when your smart TV or AC remote goes missing, and it's a feature you don't often see on high-end phones these days.
OnePlus Open: No Wireless Charging!
That being said though, and this is a bit of a head scratcher - OnePlus included an IR blaster in the Open, but skipped out on wireless charging.
That feels like a bit of a mix-up in priorities, especially for a phone that costs ₹1,40,000. I mean look, if you don't care about wireless charging then the lack of it on the OnePlus Open might not be a deal breaker.
But here's the thing – almost every flagship phone in India comes with wireless charging. So, it's likely that a lot of folks looking to switch to the Open already have a charging pad or two lying around at home.
More importantly, though, and I can't stress this enough - charging your phone should be about choice, not limitations.
OnePlus Open Displays
Ok, now with that out of the way, let's switch gears and focus on a more positive aspect of the OnePlus Open – the displays. Similar to Samsung's Galaxy Fold series, the OnePlus Open boasts two screens: a slimmer 6.31 inch exterior display and a larger 7.82-inch panel inside.
Both screens are slightly bigger than the ones on the Fold 5, and both displays come with a variable 120Hz refresh rate. But what OnePlus really emphasizes is the brightness.
We're talking about around 1400 nits in normal use and up to an astonishing 2800 nits in specific scenarios like watching HDR content outdoors. And again, this impressive brightness level is consistent on both screens.
Now, I know that it's the inner display which usually gets all the attention in foldables, but I think the Open's cover screen is actually the real star.
It has a traditional 20:9 aspect ratio, similar to many regular phones, meaning it's comfortably wide. This is a notable difference from Samsung's Fold series and allows for easier typing of emails and messages without compromising screen space.
In fact, I found myself using the outer screen most of the time, only switching to the larger inner display for things like streaming videos or multitasking.
Now, that we're on the subject of multitasking, it's worth mentioning how well the OnePlus Open handles it.
OnePlus Open Software & Multitasking
I'm not saying it's better than Samsung's approach on their foldables, but over the past two years, OPPO has been diligently crafting a strong software foundation since their merger with OnePlus, and this expertise is now reflected in Oxygen OS, which seems tailor-made for a foldable format.
For starters, there's a versatile taskbar that you can show or hide as needed, which not only displays your recent apps but also includes a folder for recent documents.
Plus, there's support for floating windows. You can place these anywhere on the screen and adjust their size to your preference.
I also like that when you swipe up into the app switcher on the main screen, you get two columns of app cards, smartly taking advantage of that larger screen space.
Now of course, you can do the basic stuff like using two apps side by side in split-screen mode. But if you are feeling adventurous then you can use the new Open Canvas feature which allows you to have three apps open simultaneously, each with its own little tab for easy access and rearrangement.
It's like having individual app cards that you can slide in and out at will, and the setup works quite seamlessly. It still doesn't quite match the flexibility of Samsung's four-app multitasking but for a first attempt, it's very commendable and I'm sure that it will only get better with future software updates.
Speaking of which, OnePlus has promised four years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates for the Open. This brings them on par with Samsung's commitment to the Z Fold 5, and the Galaxy S23 series.
OnePlus Open Specifications
You'd also be happy to know that the OnePlus Open excels in the regular phone department too. The OnePlus Open spcifications include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, 512GB of storage, and a hefty 16GB of RAM.
OnePlus Open Battery
This is a potent setup that ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and high graphic gaming without any hiccups. Moreover, the 8 Gen 2 chipset seems to manage heat better than its predecessors and is quite efficient with battery life.
Getting through a full day of binge-watching shows, casual gaming, listening to music, and taking photos was no problem – and that too with a comfortable margin to spare.
Ofcourse, OnePlus does include a 67W fast wired charger in the box. and while that doesnt make up for the lack of wirelss charging, it can fully power up the Open in under an hour.
OnePlus Open Camera
Finally, let’s talk about the cameras on the OnePlus Open – they are, without a doubt, the best on any OnePlus phone so far.
OnePlus Open Camera specs include a 48MP Sony LYT-T808 main camera, alongside a 48MP ultra-wide and a 64MP telephoto lens.
The Hasselblad touch is clear in the colors – they’re warm, handle mixed lighting well, and look more natural compared to Samsung’s often oversaturated hues. The main camera’s Sony sensor excels in low-light, but it sometimes creates an odd halo effect around people’s heads.
Portraits are generally nice, though it can struggle a bit with some details like hair strands. The telephoto lens, offering up to 6x lossless zoom and even 120x digital zoom, is fun to play with, though it’s best to stick with the 3x and 6x range for better results. The ultra-wide isn’t as versatile but is great for macro shots.
I also really love the X Pan feature. I know it's been around on OnePlus phones before, but the wide image format and unique style it brings can really jazz up your regular shots, giving them a more cinematic vibe.
In terms of video recording, both the main and ultra wide cameras max out at 4K 60fps. If you want to use the more robust stabilization mode, though, you'll need to switch down to 1080p. The video quality itself is pretty sharp, and there's not much of a white-balance shift, which is always a plus.
For selfies, there’s a 32MP front camera on the cover screen and a 20MP camera on the inner display, both decent in good lighting conditions.
But for the best results, I suggest you use the phone's rear camera with the outer screen as your preview. You'll get way better resolution this way, making your selfies look super crisp and detailed.
OnePlus Open Pros & Cons
OnePlus Open Pros:
Impressive Display Technology: The OnePlus Open features two high-quality displays, including a 6.31-inch exterior screen and a larger 7.82-inch internal display. Both offer a variable 120Hz refresh rate and exceptional brightness, enhancing the user experience.
Advanced Camera System: The device boasts a versatile camera setup, including a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP telephoto lens. This configuration, along with the Hasselblad color tuning, ensures high-quality photography.
High-End Performance Specs: With 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, coupled with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the OnePlus Open ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications.
Robust Software Support: OnePlus promises four years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates, indicating a long-term commitment to the device.
Unique Design and Build Quality: The device's design is both slim and lightweight, offering a more phone-like feel when folded. The hinge mechanism is well-engineered, providing durability and a satisfying user experience.
OnePlus Open Cons:
Lack of Wireless Charging: Despite its premium price, the OnePlus Open does not support wireless charging, which is a notable omission compared to other flagship models.
Limited Water Resistance: The device only has an IPX4 rating, making it merely splash-proof. This is less protective compared to the IPX8 rating found in some of its competitors.
Limited Design Options: The OnePlus Open offers a restricted range of color and design choices, which might not appeal to users looking for more personalized aesthetics.
Potential Durability Concerns: As with all foldable phones, there's an inherent concern about the long-term durability of the hinge and foldable screen, especially with less pronounced water resistance.
OnePlus Open Review Verdict: OnePlus Open best foldable phone?
So, that's the entire lowdown on the OnePlus Open – it's got excellent cameras, amazing screens, a solid hinge, and feels more like a regular smartphone when it's closed.
Plus, it's ₹15,000 cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 5. and while that doesn't exactly put it in the 'budget' category, the Open definitely puts some heat on Samsung in the foldable phone market.
They'll definitely need to step up their game to convince us that their pricier models are worth the extra cash next time around.
But for now, it’s more than fair to say – OnePlus is Open for business.
Also Watch: iPhone 15 Pro Review
