OnePlus Open Review: A New Foldable Benchmark Has Arrived

For years, the foldable phone market has felt like a one-horse race with a few distant contenders. We’ve seen innovation, but also compromise. Buyers have had to accept awkward outer displays, noticeable screen creases, and camera systems that lag behind their traditional flagship counterparts. Then, OnePlus entered the ring. The OnePlus Open isn’t just the company’s first foldable; it’s a bold statement of intent that redefines what we should expect from the entire category. It’s a device that feels less like a first-generation experiment and more like a fourth-generation masterpiece.

A Design That Just Clicks

The first thing you notice when holding the OnePlus Open is how… normal it feels when closed. OnePlus has nailed the cover screen’s aspect ratio. At 6.31 inches with a 20:9 ratio, it feels less like a cramped remote control and more like a premium, compact flagship. This single decision fundamentally improves the day-to-day usability, as you aren’t forced to open the device for every simple task.

When you do unfold it, the magic happens. The expansive 7.82-inch inner display is stunning, with a dynamic 1-120Hz refresh rate and a blinding peak brightness of 2,800 nits that makes outdoor viewing effortless. But the real story is the crease—or lack thereof. Thanks to a sophisticated “Flexion Hinge” with fewer moving parts, the seam down the middle is practically imperceptible to the touch and nearly invisible in most lighting conditions. It’s a feat of engineering that makes competitors’ efforts look dated. The build quality is exceptional, utilizing a titanium alloy and carbon fiber frame to achieve a device that is both lighter and thinner than its main rivals, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold. The iconic alert slider makes a welcome return, but the colossal Hasselblad-branded camera bump on the back is hard to ignore, causing a significant wobble on flat surfaces.

Performance Without Compromise

Under the hood, the OnePlus Open is an unapologetic powerhouse. It’s equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a generous 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a spacious 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage as the only configuration. In practice, this means the device is flawlessly fast. Apps launch instantly, animations are fluid, and it handles intense gaming sessions without breaking a sweat. OnePlus didn’t cut corners here, and it shows.

The real star, however, is the software. OxygenOS 13.2 introduces “Open Canvas,” a multitasking system that finally makes sense of the large inner display. Instead of being limited to three apps in a rigid split-screen, Open Canvas allows apps to exist in a larger virtual space. You can have two or three apps fully visible side-by-side, while others remain partially visible off-screen, ready to be pulled into focus with a simple tap or drag. It feels more like a lightweight desktop environment than a constrained mobile UI, and it’s a genuine game-changer for productivity on the go.

A Foldable Camera That Doesn’t Disappoint

Historically, foldable phones have meant sacrificing camera quality. The OnePlus Open bucks this trend decisively. The Hasselblad-tuned triple-camera array is the most versatile and capable system on any foldable to date. The main 48MP sensor, utilizing Sony’s new “pixel stacked” LYTIA-T808 technology, captures incredible detail and dynamic range. It’s flanked by a sharp 48MP ultrawide and, most impressively, a 64MP 3x periscope telephoto lens that delivers clean, usable shots at 6x “in-sensor” zoom and beyond. The color science is natural and pleasing, and portrait mode edge detection is superb. While it may not consistently dethrone the absolute best slab-phone cameras in every niche scenario, it’s so far ahead of other foldables that the comparison is almost unfair.

The only significant stumble for this otherwise stellar hardware package is the baffling omission of wireless charging. For a premium device costing this much, it’s a jarring oversight. Thankfully, the 4,805 mAh battery provides solid all-day longevity, and the included 67W SUPERVOOC charger can take you from 0 to 100% in about 42 minutes, which helps mitigate the absence of wireless convenience.

The Final Verdict

The OnePlus Open is a triumphant entry into the foldable space. It addresses the core pain points that have plagued its predecessors, delivering a refined and polished experience from top to bottom. The excellent cover screen makes it a great regular phone, while the stunning inner display and innovative Open Canvas software make it an unmatched multitasking tool. Add in a no-compromise camera system and flagship performance, and you have a clear winner.

While the lack of wireless charging and a lower IP rating (IPX4 vs. competitors’ IPX8) are notable drawbacks, they do little to diminish the overall achievement. The OnePlus Open is for the discerning user who has been waiting on the foldable sidelines, unwilling to accept the usual compromises. It’s for the power user who craves a pocketable productivity machine and the tech enthusiast who wants the best hardware on the market. Simply put, the OnePlus Open isn’t just a great first attempt; it’s the new foldable to beat.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon