Hands-On With the $1,700 'OnePlus Open' Foldable Smartphone

[szw-mapple fan]

It just seems like one more thing to do. Why would I want to open my phone all the time? other then real estate what is the appeal?

Multitasking is a big one. For example if you have a web page open on one side and notes on the other, or if you have two shopping apps open to compare prices. Doing something like that on an iPad mini is much easier than even on the Pro Max where you have to swipe back and forth between apps/browser tabs.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I think I could get used to a crease. I’ve played around with some foldables and while the crease is visible (and feelable) it doesn’t really get in the way and your visual system is very good at learning to ignore static elements that don’t matter.

I think I'm in the same camp, although less crease is obviously better. I'm much more concerned about the hinge durability and the much more fragile inner screen. Each generation of foldable have been making progress on both of these though, so I'm optimistic. Above all I just really want iPad-style multitasking on my iPhone regardless of form factor.

 

[tweaknmod]

I don't care what side you're on, admit this is a solid offering... c'mon!

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I don't care what side you're on, admit this is a solid offering... c'mon!

Agreed. It's probably had the most compelling hardware on a foldable right now, especially with the camera and light crease. Even though there are still a lot of compromises I would be very tempted if it ran iPadOS.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Can't wait for Apple's version of this phone three years from now, and all the fanboys going crazy over it.

The 5 stages of competitor new innovations likely to eventually show up in something from Apple:

1. New thing from competitor that Apple doesn't have: hate it, "99% don't want...", abomination/ugly/dumb/plasticy, "solution in search of a problem", etc. (see any foldable device or even Vpro threads for the complete list- they perpetually recycle in this stage for any thing not for sale by Apple yet.)
2. Rumors start piling up that Apple is going to roll out their cut at the "abomination": "I'm not fan of <thing> at all but the idea is starting to grow on me", "I'll have to wait & see one in person", "evolving with the times", "I have no interest in <thing> at all (this is those who do not yet believe the accumulating rumors)
3. Apple launches <thing>: "Shut up and take my money", "Best <thing> ever", "Apple may not be first but they wait until they can do it best", etc.
4. Not long after launch: "How did we ever get by with the prior incarnation of <thing>", to someone longing to go back to the old <thing>: ridicule the old <thing> or ridicule that person for wanting the old <thing>, "99% no longer want the old thing", "the market has spoken", etc.
5. 6-24 months later: posts about <thing> start implying Apple was first with it. Hard evidence presented to the contrary leads to name calling at evidence provider like troll and similar. If evidence cannot be overcome, redirect to some other point that Apple can definitely win like "...but who makes the most profitable <thing>?"

Roll on to the next new thing from competitors that Apple could adopt and flip back to Stage 1.

Relative to this topic, think through the stages as they apply to the phablet form factor as proxy for a fold or roll phone from Apple. If in doubt, go back in history and read threads while Apple clung to 3.5" and then 4" as perfect phone screen sizes. There's YEARS of Stage 1 posts against phablet size.

Relative to an iPhone Fold, we are solidly in Stage 1.

Vpro is solidly in Stage 2 because we've seen one from Apple and know for sure one is coming to market. A big segment is still bashing away because of how little is known but I bet many of them thin out as rumors of uses start piling up as launch day approaches and then some will flip into buyers at or after launch because "it kind of grew on me" or "after I saw one in person, I got why I should have one."

8K AppleTV which seems inevitable with 48Megapixel cameras in iPhones paving the way for 8K video capture actually rumored for a couple of years now is solidly in Stage 1 too. I could quickly dump out a big list of the same old, recycled arguments against it because they were used as points against a 4K AppleTV while Apple still clung to 1080p... AND against a 1080p AppleTV while Apple clung to 720p: same exact arguments with different resolutions numbers- the tier not for sale from Apple yet... which dramatically evaporates as opinions as soon as Apple embraces the new tier.

USB-C in iPhone was in Stage 2 for a long time, right into the actual launch: lint magnet, wobbly, fragile USB-C tongue, etc. Stage 3 hits and that whole mountain of contempt seemed to evaporate overnight. I presume they are all unable to contribute here because the massive lint ball is blocking access to their computer or they are spending lots of time at the repair shop getting the port fixed over and over. But I do wonder how many jumped right on iPhone with USB-C ASAP on launch.

It's always the same: contempt/hate/ridicule while Apple doesn't have it, "it's starting to grow on me" as we start believing Apple will soon have it, "shut up and take my money" on launch, ridiculing the old thing after we have the new one and then recalling how Apple invented it or was first with it some time later (readily attacking any facts to the contrary or those who dare to offer them). Cue up some classic Sonny & Cher: "And the beat goes on... the beat goes on..."

Personally, I look forward to an Apple Fold (ideally iPad Mini that can fold down into a pocketable form is top desire for me), Apple Roll if they opt to go that way instead, and/or just virtualize the iDevices in the Vpro view so that iPhone and iPad can be sized up or down to any size screen. I could also better rationalize Apple Watch if it could become a standalone iPhone Mini on the wrist (buds with mic for calls) not so different than portrayed in ancient Dick Tracy comics...

 

[StoneJack]

I used foldable surface duo first generation, while the android and ms execution was meh, the foldable phone itself was amazing especially for browsing and email, youtube and games. Nothing beats two huge screens connected together seamlessly in one slim package. Apple is far behind, read does not exist in this space.

 

[mihighil]

Cant wait for apple to invent foldable phones in 2035.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Until they can figure out how to have a good case on it I'm not interested, either make a rugged phone that the bumpers are built in or some better solution

I believe it comes with a two-piece rubberized case. Looking at reviews it looks like it covers all of the non-screen parts of the phone and would protect the phone reasonably well open or closed.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

A portable tablet Not hard to understand.
try walking around with an iPad mini in your pants at all times

I actually do make my cellular Mini 6 cover my telephony needs too... meaning no iPhone. Voip app covers telephone and texting and buds with mic handles the phone call actions (must like some do with iPhone when they also want to use the screen during calls).

The ONE thing I wished it could do that iPhone does is slide into a pocket when not in use. Mini as phone really does demand pants with bigger pockets. It is- in effect- already a permanently unfolded, iPhone Fold.

However, my approach is not specially-made pants but to simply occupy a hand or tuck it under an arm... unless I'm in a suit or coat which generally does have pockets big enough for it. I'd rather have the bigger screen and much less overall cost at the expense of no pocket-ability than go iPhone (even) MAX and give up a very tangible benefit and pay so much more money over time.

IMO: A foldable iPad Mini would be practically "must buy" for that one very desirable feature.

 

[falkon-engine]

That ugly camera cyclops looking thing in the back ruins what is otherwise a good looking design.

 

[MichaelAdam]

I like the idea of having a phone turning into a tablet … I don’t like having 3 full screens it’s a waste …

 

[svish]

Looks like a good foldable. But no wireless charging and a worse IP rating than the Z Fold 5.

 

[ohthehorror]

folding phones are stupid and pointless. just stop.

Who forced you to buy one. Complaining about something you don’t plan to buy is stupid and pointless. Just stop.

 

[Shirasaki]

Wow, how is the race of the company's owners a factor in your assessment?

It seems that you haven't followed recent news about the world much, but that is ok.

Apple bezel defenders logic-

They prefer this:

Over this:

🤣😂🤣

I prefer both. Call me bezel defender because that TV in your picture ain't gonna have touch screen and you hold it with both arms to use.

 

[NeonNights]

Looks like a good foldable. But no wireless charging and a worse IP rating than the Z Fold 5.

I don't mind the lack of wireless charging. Wish the IP rating was better, but not a deal breaker. I'm more disappointed in the camera quality, based on some early comparisons. The image quality is decent but I expected better from that ginormous camera bump.

Still a lot to like about the OnePlus Open, and all the more amazing that they fit all that in a foldable that weighs less than an iPhone 14 Pro Max!

 

[Mrjoedot]

You had a folding flip phone. You’ll be okay. Add the Apple logo you’ll buy it

Nope. Definitely not. Going to stick with slate

 

[usmaak]

For my use I'd prefer a solid slab than a foldable anyway... even for iPad I'd rather have a solid monolith.

The fewer moving parts, the better.

The hinge is always going to be a point of failure. I know people with a Samsung Fold. Honestly, it is a nice phone. The screen is bright and big. People complain about the crease but it really is only visible when viewing off center. The two things that would keep me from it are the price and the hinge. They have that little screen on the front but the people I know who have the phone never use it. I can hear them opening it up and closing it many times each day. I have one friend who got it on release day and that was almost a year ago. She likes to keep her phones for three or four years before upgrading. I wonder if it will last that long. I am pretty sure my iPhone will. I’m also not sure how well they survive being dropped. And the cases for them are pretty bad because it’s hard to fit a case to a foldable phone. The cases with the hinges are prone to fail quickly because they use cheap springs on them.

After five generations of Samsung Fold, I don’t think it’s a niche product that is going away any time soon.

 

[emulator]

So it took quite a few years for the chinese to do something with the stolen Samsung tech. motorola, huawei and the rest like this all came out with the same sh*t in 2023.

How come you can say sh*t even on TV but not on MR? Cartman was here?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I've had a the Samsung flip for a few years now. I love the form factor of a flip phone, I don't use it for my daily because I much prefer iOS than Android. I hope Apple joins foldables, but also hope they'll make a flip phone version.

 

[Boeingfan]

I'm sorry, but I don't see the appeal of foldable's.

Me either. How embarassing having to unfold your phone. Thankfully, the iPhone is pre-unfolded! That's one less step to reduce your RSI Plus, at the end of the day, you can do what you like with the hardware, but they're all still running that dreadful data vacuum software, I mean operating system, by G.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Me either. How embarassing having to unfold your phone. Thankfully, the iPhone is pre-unfolded! That's one less step to reduce your RSI Plus, at the end of the day, you can do what you like with the hardware, but they're all still running that dreadful data vacuum software, I mean operating system, by G.

Clearly spoken like someone who never used one; well, apart from that dreadful OS of course 🤣 You don’t have to unfold it all the time, not at all. You have the option to do that, though. Not something we have on the iPhone, unless you count the excellent continuity like that.

 

[haruhiko]

Chinese phone with a Chinese name like Huawei: Ban this f**king brand out of this planet!!

Chinese phone with an English name like OnePlus: Technological Marvel, you Apple fans sucks, you don’t know how behind you are!!

 

[WiiDSmoker]

And isn’t this the phone that MKBHD had dead pixels on the bottom of the screen in the crease after just one week of use?

Do you apply that logic to faulty iPhones released every year?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I’ve watched a few reviews on this phone and still of the opinion it’s l’ll never buy a folding phone. I’d end up breaking it and can’t really see why my phone would need to fold if I’m honest. Hopefully Apple give people the option as long as it’s not the only option.

 

[Menneisyys2]

" The OnePlus Open can capture 4K videos in Dolby Vision HDR format at 30fps."

That's bad - even the 14P / PM can do the same at 60p. (And prolly even earlier (12? 13?) Pro Maxes.)