OnePlus Open Review: Why It's the Foldable to Beat in 2023
The Foldable Game-Changer You've Been Waiting For
For years, foldable phone buyers faced painful compromises: visible creases, awkward cover screens, and mediocre cameras. The OnePlus Open changes everything. After analyzing extensive hands-on testing, I'm convinced this isn't just another foldable—it's the first that truly replaces your daily smartphone. How did OnePlus leapfrog established players? By leveraging Oppo's foldable expertise while adding OxygenOS polish and Hasselblad imaging. Let's examine why tech enthusiasts are calling this the most complete foldable yet.
Hardware Excellence: Where Compromises Disappear
The crease revolution is here. Side-by-side with the Galaxy Fold 5, the OnePlus Open's display appears nearly seamless—a feat achieved through Oppo's Flexion hinge and ultra-thin glass. Measurements confirm its advantage:
| Feature | OnePlus Open | Galaxy Fold 5 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folded Thickness | 11.7mm | 13.4mm | 13% thinner |
| Unfolded Thickness | 5.8mm | 6.1mm | Thinner |
| Crease Visibility | Minimal | Pronounced | Significant |
| Cover Screen | 20:9 Normal | 23:1 Narrow | More usable |
Surprising durability comes from Ceramic Guard protection on the cover display (tougher than Gorilla Glass Victus 2) and IPX4 splash resistance. The camera bump doubles as a functional grip—a clever solution to balance the 239g weight.
Battery life shatters expectations too. The 4,805mAh dual-cell design lasted 30% longer than the Fold 5 in identical testing, delivering a full day plus extra. While the lack of wireless charging disappoints, 67W SuperVOOC charging refuels in 42 minutes—faster than any premium foldable.
Software That Unlocks Productivity
Open Canvas transforms multitasking beyond basic split-screen. This innovative system lets you:
- Resize and position up to three active windows
- Save nine app combinations as one-touch presets
- Drag apps between screens without reloading
Unlike Samsung's implementation, the taskbar stays visible by default with recent/pinned apps. Flex mode intelligently adapts apps like YouTube and Camera when partially folded.
Performance benchmarks reveal smarter thermal management. During 20-minute stress tests:
- Maintained 95% stability vs Fold 5's 88%
- Used just 5% battery vs Fold 5's 12%
- Stayed cooler despite identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
OxygenOS 13.2 (upgrading to Android 14 soon) feels polished, with thoughtful touches like choosing whether apps transfer to the cover screen when closing. Four years of OS updates ensure longevity.
Camera: Hasselblad Magic Meets Foldable Innovation
The triple-camera system punches above its class, featuring a groundbreaking pixel-stacked main sensor. Real-world tests show:
- Natural Hasselblad color science
- Remarkable 3x optical / 6x digital zoom quality
- ProXDR mode makes HDR highlights pop on the brilliant 2,800-nit display
Low-light performance improved dramatically via pre-launch updates. While video remains a step behind iPhone, the ability to use the main cameras with either screen as viewfinder is revolutionary. As the reviewer noted: "I'm dead impressed—these shots compete with dedicated flagship cameras."
Final Verdict: The New Foldable Benchmark
After scrutinizing every aspect, the OnePlus Open delivers what others haven't: a no-compromise foldable that excels as both phone and tablet. At £1,600 (with 16GB RAM/512GB storage standard), it undercuts rivals while offering superior hardware, smarter software, and longer battery life.
Three reasons to choose it over competitors:
- The invisible crease - Most seamless viewing experience today
- Open Canvas productivity - True multi-app workflow flexibility
- Cover screen sanity - 20:9 aspect ratio avoids "remote control" typing
One hesitation: No wireless charging may frustrate premium users.
If you're ready to ditch your slab phone, this is the foldable that makes it painless. As the reviewer concluded: "I'd take this over Galaxy Fold 5, Pixel Fold, or Honor Magic V2."
Your decision checkpoint: Which foldable compromise has stopped you from upgrading? Share your dealbreaker below!
Pro Tip: Early orders include discounts—stack coupons for potential £1,500 pricing. For deeper comparisons, visit DisplayMate's screen analysis and DXOMARK's camera tests.
