OnePlus Open: Everything you need to know

OnePlus Open review
(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

There's a growing market for foldables, and while Samsung has managed to build an early lead in this category with the likes of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Chinese manufacturers are turning their attention to this burgeoning category. 

Xiaomi's Mix Fold 3 combines a svelte design with stellar cameras and gorgeous AMOLED screens, Honor's latest Magic V2 is a viable alternative to Samsung that's now available globally, and the OPPO Find N2 Flip continues to be one of my favorite devices. 

The biggest issue with all of these devices? They're not sold officially in North America. That has led to Samsung running away with a sizeable chunk of the foldable market share, but with the introduction of the OnePlus Open, that's changing. The Open is now available in over 30 countries around the world, and it is one of the best foldable packages available today. 

OnePlus Open: Review

I reviewed the OnePlus Open after using it as my main phone for over a week. There's plenty to like on the hardware side of things, but what I found to be the biggest differentiator is the size of the cover screen. The 6.31-inch outer screen is wider and much more easy to use than the narrow screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and it makes a huge difference. 

The design is also better than just about any other foldable today, and while it isn't the thinnest foldable around, it comes very close. A big part of what makes the Open so good is the hinge; it has the smoothest articulation of any foldable, closes fully flat, and there's no visible crease. Put next to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, the Open looks futuristic. 

OnePlus Open review

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Battery life is also great, and I easily got over a day's worth of use consistently. It charges at 67W, and unlike Samsung, you get a charger in the box. The cameras are the best of any foldable I've used — including Samsung — and you get excellent photos and videos in just about any situation.

The internal hardware is the best of any phone, and the Open manages to handle intensive gaming without breaking a sweat. My only quibble with the device is that the software is missing a few features, and it is buggy at launch. If you need all the details, head to my OnePlus Open review.

OnePlus Open: Release date and price

OnePlus Open review

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

OnePlus unveiled the Open on October 19, and the foldable is now available globally. It is sold in over 30 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and India, and that's great news if you've been waiting for a legitimate challenger to Samsung's foldables. 

The Open is available in a single 16GB/512GB model globally, and that is available for $1,699 in the U.S. and ₹1,39,999 ($1,681) in India. While that's a lot of money, you're getting the 512GB variant as standard, and OnePlus managed to undercut Samsung by over $400. 

OnePlus Open: Specs

OnePlus Open review

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

OnePlus didn't leave anything out, and the result is that the Open is one of the best hardware packages you'll get right now. It is powered by Qualcomm's latest silicon, has 16GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage as standard, three cameras at the back that are tuned by Hasselblad, a large 4805mAh battery with 67W charging, and an inner screen that goes up to an insane 2800 nits. 

Here's a rundown of the hardware: 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CategoryOnePlus Open
OSOxygenOS 13.2, Android 13
Inner Display7.82-inch 120HZ AMOLED, LTPO 3.0, 2440 x 2268, 2800 nits, Ultra Thin Glass
Outer Display6.31-inch 120Hz AMOLED, LTPO 3.0, 2484 x 1116, 2800 nits, Ceramic Guard
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740, 4nm
RAM16GB LPDDR5X
Storage512GB UFS 4.0
Rear camera 148MP f/1.7 Sony LYT-T808, 1.12um pixels, OIS, Dolby Vision video
Rear camera 248MP f/2.2 Sony IMX581, 0.8um pixels, 114-degree FoV
Rear camera 364MP f/2.6 OmniVision OV64B, 3x optical zoom, 6x in-sensor zoom, OIS
Selfie camera (cover screen)32MP
Selfie camera (inner screen)20MP
Ingress protectionIPX4 dust and water resistance
ConnectivityWi-Fi 7, Sub-6 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, dual-band GPS
SecurityFace unlock, fingerprint sensor
AudioUSB-C, spatial sound, AptX, LDAC, LHDC codecs
Battery4805mAh battery, 67W fast charging
Dimensions (folded)153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mm
Dimensions (unfolded)153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mm
WeightVoyager Black (239g), Emerald Dusk (245g)
ColorsVoyager Black (leather back), Emerald Dusk (glass)

OnePlus Open: Bottom line

OnePlus Open review

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Overall, the OnePlus Open is a phenomenal offering. It has the best hardware package in this segment, and the cameras are right up there as well. The hinge is a huge differentiator, and I'm not kidding when I say that the crease is nearly invisible — that's a huge deal in daily use. 

I also like the size of the cover and inner screens, the alert slider, multitasking features, and design aesthetic. Sure, the software is a bit annoying at times, but on the whole, this is the best foldable you can get at the moment. 

Harish Jonnalagadda
Senior Editor - Asia

Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.

  • ubermanx
    Are foldable phones really in demand, or is this just the latest tech fad? What is the real usage case for a folding phone?

    It just seems like 3D TVs to me.

    I already carry a large-screen Google Pixel 7 Pro and my laptop. My iPad Air sits unused. My iPad Pro sits unused. My three other tablets that are out-of-date died while sitting unused. My Kobo, my Kindle, it's the same story.

    Will a foldable replace my large-screen phone and laptop? I don't see it.
    Reply
  • Laura Knotek
    ubermanx said:
    Are foldable phones really in demand, or is this just the latest tech fad? What is the real usage case for a folding phone?

    It just seems like 3D TVs to me.

    I already carry a large-screen Google Pixel 7 Pro and my laptop. My iPad Air sits unused. My iPad Pro sits unused. My three other tablets that are out-of-date died while sitting unused. My Kobo, my Kindle, it's the same story.

    Will a foldable replace my large-screen phone and laptop? I don't see it.
    The foldable phones might replace tablets for some users. The advantage is if they are small enough to carry in a pocket but have big enough screens when unfolded to replace tablets. I don't have a folding phone, but that's how I would use it if I were to get one.
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    Laura Knotek said:
    The foldable phones might replace tablets for some users. The advantage is if they are small enough to carry in a pocket but have big enough screens when unfolded to replace tablets. I don't have a folding phone, but that's how I would use it if I were to get one.
    I've always thought it's a very strange market... The only person I know who uses a tablet on a consistent basis is my mum lol.
    Reply
  • dafolzey
    ubermanx said:
    Are foldable phones really in demand, or is this just the latest tech fad? What is the real usage case for a folding phone?

    It just seems like 3D TVs to me.

    I already carry a large-screen Google Pixel 7 Pro and my laptop. My iPad Air sits unused. My iPad Pro sits unused. My three other tablets that are out-of-date died while sitting unused. My Kobo, my Kindle, it's the same story.

    Will a foldable replace my large-screen phone and laptop? I don't see it.
    For me it's that the only small Android tablet that doesn't suck is the Galaxy Fold. Tablets between 8-9" are great for reading. It is a major improvement over even a 6.8" Note Ultra. And large non-folding phones don't fit in mens' pants pockets very well, wouldn't work at all for women.

    Personally, I gave up. I returned by Fold 4 and got an iPad Mini and iPhone. It's cheaper, more durable, and more compartmentalized. I don't really use the "ecosystem" features much, so I might go back to a Galaxy phone whenever it comes time to replace.

    For my preferences, a phone is a small tablet that had been functionally compromised to fit in a pocket. A folding design adds most of the functionality back.
    Reply