The initial OnePlus foldable phone appears to be quite impressive and excels in several aspects, surpassing its Samsung competitor.
The OnePlus Open appears to be developing into an exceptional foldable phone.
If you’re interested in owning a foldable smartphone, the OnePlus Open is a device worth keeping an eye on. This marks OnePlus’ debut in the foldable phone market, which has been dominated by Samsung as the sole Android phone manufacturer with widely accessible folding devices. However, OnePlus is now entering the scene to grab the spotlight.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a tough act to follow, benefitting from a refined design based on the knowledge accumulated from four years of previous models. However, the OnePlus Open is undeniably impressive, especially considering it’s OnePlus’s inaugural foray into the intricate world of folding technology.
After spending some time with the OnePlus Open, Express.co.uk is thoroughly impressed, and we see several areas where it might outshine the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Screen Sizes:
Both the OnePlus Open and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 adopt a book-style folding design, featuring an external screen when closed that functions like a conventional smartphone. However, the device can be unfolded like a book to reveal an internal screen resembling a compact tablet.
What sets the OnePlus Open apart is the more favorable dimensions of both its screens when compared to the Z Fold 5. In contrast to Samsung’s elongated and narrow outer screen, which can feel somewhat like holding a TV remote control, the OnePlus Open offers a regular-sized outer display that functions in a standard manner. When opened, the spacious 7.8-inch inner screen is more user-friendly, providing an additional 0.2 inches of screen real estate.
You have the option to utilize the front screen of the OnePlus Open as a display for the rear cameras.
Absence of Screen Fold Line:
The OnePlus Open offers a more enjoyable experience with its large inner screen due to a significantly less conspicuous fold line compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 5. These remarkable foldable screens rely on built-in hinges, which naturally result in some form of crease in both glass and plastic screens.
In contrast to the Z Fold 5’s pronounced crease, which resembles a deep gorge, the OnePlus Open’s crease is barely noticeable, even in direct light. Moreover, it’s hardly perceptible to the touch, while Samsung’s counterpart has a noticeable dip in the screen. OnePlus deserves commendation for their clever design in this regard.
The outer screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a more elongated and slender design compared to that of the OnePlus Open.
Improved Camera Capabilities:
Having extensively tested both phones, we can confidently affirm that the OnePlus Open boasts superior camera performance. Similar to the Z Fold 5, it features a triple-camera setup on the rear, with the primary and telephoto lenses, in particular, delivering truly remarkable results. Images are characterized by vividness, sharpness, and more accurate color reproduction than what’s found in Samsung’s counterpart.
The zoom functionality is notably better, producing clear and well-rendered shots even when zoomed in up to 6x. While Samsung’s cameras are not subpar by any means, they do fall short in comparison to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, a “regular” smartphone that costs considerably less than the Z Fold 5. In contrast, the OnePlus Open’s cameras are of a quality that can rival the Ultra, making it one of the first foldable phones where the manufacturer hasn’t compromised on camera quality.
This does result in a trade-off, as the OnePlus Open sports a relatively substantial circular camera bump on its rear. Additionally, the inner screen’s punch-hole selfie camera on the OnePlus Open significantly outperforms the under-display camera on the Z Fold 5, which, while hidden when not in use, captures subpar photos and videos.
The OnePlus Open
Speedier Charging:
While the Z Fold 5 supports both wired and wireless charging, it’s worth noting that Samsung sells this costly phone with just a cable included, requiring an additional purchase for a charger.
In contrast, the OnePlus Open doesn’t offer wireless charging, which is a bit disappointing. However, it compensates with a faster 67W wired charging capability, surpassing the Z Fold 5’s 25W charging speed. Furthermore, OnePlus provides the charger in the box, allowing you to fully charge the device from empty in a mere 42 minutes, without any extra cost.
The Z Fold 5 offers wireless charging, but it does so at a relatively slow pace.
More Affordable Pricing:
If all of these features appeal to you, then here’s the best news: the OnePlus Open is priced lower than the Galaxy Z Fold 5. You have the option to pre-order the OnePlus Open for £1,599, which is a substantial £150 less than the £1,749 cost of the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
When you pre-order the OnePlus Open by paying £99 to secure this limited stock device, you not only receive a £250 discount off the full recommended retail price (RRP) but also get a free pair of OnePlus Buds Pro 2, valued at £179. This means you’ll pay a total of £1,349 for a folding phone and premium earbuds, which is £400 less than the cost of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 on its own. The OnePlus Open will be available for purchase at its full price starting on October 26th.
Stay tuned for our comprehensive review of the OnePlus Open on Helpleak.com – it could very well be the most impressive folding phone we’ve encountered so far
This insight comes from Henry Burrell, Deputy Technology Editor, who specializes in covering consumer tech news and reviewing new gadgets to offer recommendations for the best purchases
