New OnePlus Open Mobile Phone: A Formidable Foldable Phone

OnePlus just launched its first foldable phone, the aptly named OnePlus Open. Foldable phones are still a relatively new category, but we’re starting to see more options from different manufacturers. I’ve been testing out the phone for about a week now, and I have to say I’m impressed. The OnePlus Open packs some serious power and features into its foldable form factor.

In this hands-on review, I’ll give you a tour of the key aspects of the OnePlus Open, including the design, displays, camera, battery life, performance, software, and more. I’ll also share my thoughts on how it stacks up against competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series. Read on for the full scoop!

Unboxing the OnePlus Open

Let’s start with what comes in the box when you get your hands on the OnePlus Open. You get:

• 67W power adapter
• Bright red USB cable
• Welcome letter
• Red cable club membership card
• Phone case bumper
• Screen protector pre-applied
• Quick start guide

There are no headphones included, but you do get a solid charging brick to power up the beefy battery. The protective case is handy for avoiding scratches and drops.

Premium Design with Flexible Display

The OnePlus Open sports a premium design, thanks to its aluminum metal frame and Gorilla Glass back. It has a cool emerald green color that really pops. The highlight is clearly the flexible display enabled by the smooth “water drop” hinge.

When closed, the front display is a tall 20:9 aspect ratio, just like a standard smartphone. At 6.55 inches diagonally, it’s easy to use one-handed. The edges are rounded for comfort.

Unfold the OnePlus Open, and you’re greeted by a spacious 7.6-inch interior screen. It provides an almost bezel-less experience, thanks to the hidden front camera.

The flex hinge feels sturdy, yet you can open the phone smoothly with one hand. OnePlus says it’s tested enough to withstand over 200,000 folds. So far, I haven’t noticed any issues with durability or creasing on the display.

You don’t get full water resistance, but the phone can handle splashes fine. At 263g, it’s chunkier than some competitors, but still comfortable for daily use.

Snappy Fingerprint Sensor & Face Unlock

For security, the OnePlus Open offers both fingerprint and face unlock options. The optical in-display fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button and works quickly every time. Face unlock is also fast and convenient when the front display is active. You can set it up once and then easily unlock either screen.

Vivid 120Hz Displays Fit for Media

The displays on the OnePlus Open are gorgeous. Both the front and inner screen use flexible AMOLED panels. You get rich colors, excellent contrast, and up to 1200 nits of brightness. 

With a punchy resolution (2662 x 1188 front, 2176 x 1916 interior screen), details and text look crisp. Everything scales seamlessly between the two displays.

Together with the 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, the visual experience feels smooth and responsive. Watching videos or playing mobile games is awesome on the expansive main screen. The LTPO tech also helps preserve battery life.

There is a slight crease visible on the inner screen, but it doesn’t detract too much from usability. I barely notice it after a few days.

Booming Stereo Speakers

With two stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, the OnePlus Open delivers powerful, immersive audio. You can comfortably listen to music or watch videos without headphones. Volume goes high enough to annoy anyone nearby!

Audio quality remains full and clear even at max loudness. The speakers showcase warm bass tones, detailed mids, and crisp treble notes. Ports include USB-C and, unfortunately, no 3.5mm headphone jack.

OxygenOS Software with Multitasking Focus

OnePlus’s OxygenOS (based on Android 13) offers a clean software experience with useful customizations. The interface takes advantage of the foldable design for advanced multitasking.

Some highlights include:

• App dock shortcuts when unfolded
• Split screen mode with adjustable divides
• Floating pop-up windows you can layer
• Quick app switching via recent menu
• Dual app instances for select apps

You can run multiple apps simultaneously in different configurations. It’s easy to drag and drop content between apps too. This level of versatility provides a big productivity boost.

Power users who juggle a ton of apps for work will appreciate what the OnePlus Open offers. The software feels intuitive and doesn’t get overly complex.

Top-Notch Power & Gaming Performance

Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 12GB RAM provide seriously fast performance. Navigation is slick and responsive, while graphically-intensive games run smoothly.

The OnePlus Open also does an excellent job managing heat. I played Genshin Impact for over an hour, and while the chassis got warm, performance stayed consistent throughout.

OxygenOS’s gaming mode gives you granular controls for optimization. You can block notifications, adjust touch sensitivity, and more based on the game.

With 512GB internal storage, you’ll have ample room for apps, media files, and everything else. No microSD slot for expansion, but that’s fine for most people.

All-Day Battery Life & Fast Charging

The dual-cell 4600mAh battery easily lasts a full day even with heavy use. I consistently got 7-8 hours of screen time. With more moderate use focused on messaging and web browsing, I could stretch it to 1.5 days.

When you do need to recharge, the included 67W charger gets you from 0% to 100% in just 49 minutes. It’s one of the fastest charging foldable phones out there. Wireless charging would have been nice, but wired works great.

Hasselblad Camera Delivers Natural, Accurate Photos

OnePlus partnered with Hasselblad again for the Open’s camera system. You get excellent natural color reproduction in photos. The main sensor captures lots of detail with minimal noise.

The 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, and 8MP 3.3x telephoto lenses provide a versatile array of perspectives. The dedicated night mode works well for low light shots.

4K video recording at 60fps is smooth and stabilized. For vlogging, the 32MP front camera shoots crisp 4K footage too. While not quite iPhone level, the OnePlus Open’s cameras still impress.

Portrait mode creates pleasing background blur effects. The Hasselblad filters are fun to play with. All in all, the Open captures photos and videos that pop with color and clarity.

An Excellent & More Affordable Foldable Option

Starting at $1599, the OnePlus Open delivers a premium foldable experience for hundreds less than rivals from Samsung, Oppo, and others. You’re getting top-of-the-line power, performance, software, and cameras.

If you want a futuristic phone that transforms on demand, the OnePlus Open is hard to beat. From its vivid 120Hz displays to advanced multitasking chops, it’s a joy to use. The hardware feels polished rather than experimental.

For people intrigued by foldables but unsure about durability, the Open seems like a smart choice. OnePlus engineered it to last through repeated long-term use. I’m impressed so far with its solid construction and seamless display.

Compared to “candy bar” slab phones, foldables remain a luxury. But as far as splurging goes, the OnePlus Open gets you excellent bang for your buck. I’d definitely recommend it for power users and early adopters who want a foldable daily driver.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to share more details on my experience testing out the new OnePlus Open foldable phone.