Review of OnePlus Open: One of the Best Optimized Foldable Phones Today

OnePlus has officially entered the foldable phone market with its first product, the OnePlus Open. According to tech experts, the OnePlus Open is one of the most well-optimized foldable smartphones on the market. So what's new in the design of OnePlus Open? How does OnePlus Open perform? How long does the battery of OnePlus Open last? Does OnePlus Open capture beautiful photos? Let's explore the review of OnePlus Open below to find out!

Note: The content and images in this article are referenced from GSMArena.

Read more: OnePlus Open Debuts with Elegant Design and Quality Camera

Elegant Design of OnePlus Open, Impressive Level of Finishing

Reflecting on OnePlus Open, the device is hailed by the author as one of the best-designed foldable phones currently available. It's not just visually appealing but also very ergonomic, boasting excellent build quality. The frame and casing of the device are crafted from exclusive cobalt molybdenum alloy and titanium alloy. According to OnePlus, these aerospace-grade alloys are stronger than stainless steel, while being lighter and more durable. The flat and slim frame of the device, with a matte finish, adds to its sophistication.

The hinge of OnePlus Open is also lighter and slimmer by up to 50% compared to some competing counterparts, such as Samsung's Galaxy Fold series, thanks to a new minimalist design with fewer components. The single-axis structure (compared to the competitors' three-axis) also contributes to this new hinge being lighter.

The outer display of OnePlus Open is shielded by a new type of glass called Ceramic Guard, which is an exclusive material containing ceramic crystals, purportedly providing about 20% better impact resistance than Gorilla Glass Victus.

On the rear of the Voyager Black variant, we see the manufacturer has utilized an inner layer of plastic covered with synthetic black leather. The textured surface ensures a firm grip and prevents slipping, as well as minimizing fingerprint smudges.

Meanwhile, the Emerald Dusk variant (also known as the blue version) will be the only variant available in Europe, featuring a rear panel made of frosted glass. Due to glass being thicker than plastic, the Emerald Dusk variant weighs 6g more and is slightly thicker (0.2mm) than the Voyager Black variant.

The device's folding screen features an ultra-thin glass layer as usual, protected by a layer of plastic on top to guard against hazards like dust and sand. Note that this plastic layer should not be removed.

Lastly, OnePlus Open is rated IPX4, capable of withstanding water splashes. While not certified for water resistance, the author has tested and confirmed that the device can safely endure rain and water splashes.

The highly acclaimed 7.82-inch OLED folding display of OnePlus Open is praised by the reviewer, particularly suitable for users who want to multitask with multiple apps simultaneously. Browsing the web and playing games are highly enjoyable on this screen. It's bright, displaying colors accurately, stretching from edge to edge. Note that although there's no bezel, the screen is surrounded by a layer of plastic.

OnePlus Open's screen features a small pinhole at the upper right corner to house the 20 MP inner camera. Another notable aspect is that when OnePlus Open's screen is unfolded, the reviewer doesn't perceive any crease. The reviewer had a similar experience with OPPO's foldable phones, but on OnePlus Open, it's much better. The screen crease only shows when you look at it from a square angle, under light, and can only be felt if you press hard on the screen. If you're just scrolling and swiping on the screen, you won't notice this.

When folded, you'll use the 6.31-inch front OLED screen of OnePlus Open. This screen has thin bezels, rounded corners, and a small pinhole at the top center to house the 32MP front camera. There's also a small cutout at the top of the screen - that's the earpiece. As for other components, the author will discuss them shortly.

This external screen has a perfect 20:9 aspect ratio to serve as the main display. And notably, the device has high resolution, flexible refresh rates, high brightness, and supports Dolby Vision technology just like the inner screen.

OnePlus Open does not have an under-screen fingerprint sensor. Instead, OnePlus has placed a traditional fingerprint scanner, always ready on the surface of the Power/Lock button. This button is on the right side of OnePlus Open, both when folded and unfolded, making it convenient to use with your right thumb. The switch located on the right side is slightly smaller but still retains a solid feel, good feedback, and a great surface. This button has three modes: Ring, Vibrate, and Silent.

Experience Vibrant, Sharp Displays with OnePlus Open's Large 7.82-Inch Screen

OnePlus Open boasts two fantastic screens using OLED LTPO3 technology - a large 7.82-inch main folding display and a smaller 6.31-inch secondary display. Both screens not only offer quality but also support premium features like 10-bit color depth, flexible 120 Hz refresh rate, and 240 Hz touch sampling rate.

Both screens are exceptionally bright, with a brightness of 1,400 nits and a peak brightness of up to 2,800 nits. Both also support HDR formats like HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. OnePlus Open also automatically adjusts colors based on ambient light.

The main display has a resolution of 2,440 x 2,268 pixels, almost square in aspect ratio. This display can reduce the refresh rate down to 1 Hz when showing static images. The secondary display has a higher resolution of 2,484 x 1,116 pixels and a minimum refresh rate of 10 Hz according to the specifications.

OnePlus Open supports sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, offering three color modes - Natural, Professional, and Vivid. The refresh rate can automatically adjust up to 120 Hz, but there's also a battery-saving mode at 60 Hz.

The display of OnePlus Open also supports HDR formats and has image customization options such as image sharpening, color enhancement, and HDR video mode.

OnePlus Open delivers powerful performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor

Before diving into details, let's take a look at some of the specifications of OnePlus Open!

• Display: 7.82-inch (internal) and 6.31-inch (external) sizes, LTPO AMOLED 3.0 panel, 2K+ resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate.
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
• RAM: 16 GB.
• Internal Storage: 512 GB
• Rear Camera: 48 MP + 64 MP + 48 MP.
• Selfie Camera (internal display): 20 MP.
• Selfie Camera (external display): 32 MP.
• Battery: 4,805 mAh, 67 W fast charging support.

See more: Learn about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor along with many other Qualcomm chips

OnePlus Open is equipped with the standard version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, featuring a Cortex-X3 3.19 GHz prime core, 2 Cortex-A715 2.8 GHz cores, and 2 Cortex-A710 2.8 GHz cores, along with 3 Cortex-A510 2.0 GHz efficiency cores for battery saving. Additionally, the powerful Adreno 740 GPU is responsible for graphics, delivering optimal performance in multimedia applications and games.

OnePlus Open supports 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage, allowing you to store data quickly and flexibly.

An notable point is the effective cooling system of OnePlus Open, which efficiently cools 'the chipset, display, camera, modem, and other major heat sources'. This ensures that the phone does not overheat when running multiple resource-intensive applications and games.

The author tested OnePlus Open in both regular and 'High Performance' modes. This mode allows the processor to operate at full power without concern for battery efficiency, resulting in the highest CPU benchmark scores. However, this does not affect the GPU, which still operates at maximum power.

Despite having higher resolution than many other competitors, leading to lower GPU scores on the device's screen. Unfortunately, OnePlus Open is capped at 60 FPS in all games and benchmarks, unless there is a special collaboration between developers and OnePlus.

Overall, OnePlus Open stays cool during long-term use, even avoiding becoming excessively hot, which is a significant advantage. Although there's a slight performance drop after prolonged use, it still fares better than average. It's worth noting that the author doesn't recommend using the 'High Performance' mode, as it can lead to quicker CPU performance degradation and occasional shutdowns.

In general, OnePlus Open not only boasts the powerful configuration of a flagship device but also exhibits good thermal dissipation capabilities. It's only regrettable that the device doesn't support gaming at high frame rates, but it's still a noteworthy flagship.

OnePlus Open offers long-lasting battery life

Regarding battery life, OnePlus Open utilizes a 4,805 mAh battery unit with impressive endurance. The device can last over 15 hours on the main screen during web browsing or video playback, and over 18 hours when folded with the secondary screen in use. Talk time is also extensive, reaching over 29 hours.

For charging, OnePlus Open supports fast charging up to 67 W via wired charging, providing the capability to charge from 1% to 45% in 15 minutes, and reaching 80% within a total time of 42 minutes. The device also features battery charging optimization mode to extend battery lifespan.

Sharper Imaging with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's 48 MP Camera

OnePlus Open is equipped with three main cameras on the rear: a 48 MP primary camera, a 48 MP ultra-wide/macro camera, and a 64 MP telephoto camera supporting 3x optical zoom and up to 6x zoom in-sensor. On the front, there are two selfie cameras placed within the punch holes on both screens: a 32 MP camera on the external secondary display and a 20 MP camera on the internal foldable screen.

The main camera of OnePlus Open utilizes the Sony LYT-808 52 MP sensor, a member of Sony's new LYTIA sensor lineup, with a new stacked architecture similar to Sony's current flagship offerings - Xperia 1 V and 5 V. In fact, according to hardware information apps, the device is reported to feature the same sensor used in Xperia models - the IMX 888. This is a versatile 52MP sensor, providing effective 48MP resolution at a 4:3 aspect ratio. The sensor has 1.12 µm pixel size and is behind a stabilized (OIS) 24 mm f/1.7 lens.

The new LYTIA sensor employs a stacked pixel architecture, with photodiodes and corresponding transistors placed on two separate layers rather than facing each other as in traditional design. While requiring micron-level alignment precision, this has made the photodiodes larger, doubling light gathering capabilities and achieving up to three times higher saturation levels. The transistors placed on a separate layer have also been optimized, helping to generate a cleaner signal with less noise.

The ultra-wide camera uses the Sony IMX581 48 MP 1/2.0' sensor with 0.8µm pixel size, paired with a 14 mm f/2.2 lens. It features autofocus and macro photography from as close as 3.5cm. The telephoto camera is quite unique with the OmniVision OV64B 64 MP 1/2.0' sensor with 0.7 µm pixel size. This camera comes with a stabilized (OIS) 70 mm f/2.6 lens and supports 3x optical zoom. Moreover, it supports up to 6x lossless zoom through sensor cropping.

On the front, the 32 MP selfie camera within the screen employs the OmniVision OV32C 32 MP sensor with a 1/3.14' size and 0.7 µm pixel size with Quad-Bayer filter. The camera lens is a 5P 22 mm f/2.4 with fixed focus capability. The selfie camera inside the folding screen features a 20MP 1/4' sensor with 0.7 µm pixel size and Quad-Bayer filter. The lens is a 4P 22 mm f/2.2 with fixed focus.

All rear cameras support 4K 60 FPS video recording with always-on Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). There's an option for 4K 30 FPS video recording with Dolby Vision technology. The selfie cameras also support 4K video recording with always-on EIS, limited to 30 FPS and no Dolby Vision support.

• Daytime Image Quality

The main camera of OnePlus Open defaults to storing images at 12 MP resolution and they are quite impressive. Firstly, they are very detailed, with balanced appearance and accurate sharpness. Landscapes, intricate details, people - all are developed very well and look natural. There's no noise in the photos, high contrast, and vibrant, lively colors, although slightly overexposed at times.

The dynamic range is adequate - sometimes wide, sometimes average. Some images seem a bit too bright. Note that OnePlus Open is still receiving updates, including updates for the camera, and this is likely to be addressed.

The main camera of OnePlus Open offers high-quality 2x zoom capability by zooming in on the sensor. This essentially involves cropping from the center of the 48 MP image, taking into account the sensor's Quad-Bayer filter.

The 2x zoom photos look quite good, they are detailed and sharp, with attractive colors, high contrast, and good dynamic range. There is no noticeable noise. When you zoom in on them at 100%, you can see their artificial nature - especially when there are many small details like leaves. This is due to the reverse binning process, a complex mathematical process. Although the details of each pixel may not match those of the native image, overall the photos are usable and of high quality.

Below are some 48 MP photos from the main camera. As you can see, they have quality comparable to 2x zoomed-in photos without cropping, of course. It seems that we cannot see additional details from the 48MP images when downscaled to 12 MP.

The telephoto camera delivers beautiful 3x photos. They are detailed, noise-free, not oversharpened, and each subject looks natural and vibrant. The colors are vivid but not overly saturated; good contrast and wide dynamic range. Overall, these are some of the best 3x zoomed-in photos the author has encountered recently.

Since the telephoto camera uses a 64 MP sensor, the device also offers the ability to zoom in without loss of quality up to 6x by cropping from the center. The 6x photos are rated excellent. They are slightly softer than the 3x photos, of course, and the author may notice a slight increase in minor noise, but they still produce much better results than expected.

All photos provide ample detail, good sharpness, minimal noise, and along with balanced adjustments like other cameras and modes. Good color rendition, wide dynamic range, and high contrast.

The 64 MP zoomed-in 3x photos the author captured with the zoom camera seem to be merely cropped from the original photo, which left the author slightly disappointed.

The ultra-wide camera defaults to storing photos at 12 MP resolution, and they are expansive, capturing many subjects within the frame. However, the corners still maintain sufficient sharpness and are well corrected by the automatic distortion correction feature.

The photos provide ample detail, minimal noise if any, and along with balanced adjustments like those we see on other cameras, and they appear relatively colorful. Average dynamic range, good contrast, but sometimes the photos are overly bright. As the author mentioned, OnePlus is working on its algorithms, so this is likely to improve by the time of release.

The auto-focus capability of the ultra-wide camera allows for macro shots from as far as 3.5cm. The close-up photos the author took are very impressive - with excellent detail, superb sharpness, great color, and wide dynamic range.

The 48 MP ultrawide photos are quite poor; they suffer from a significant loss in quality when upscaled from the 12 MP output.

• Portrait Photos

Portrait mode on OnePlus Open offers three zoom levels - 1x, 2x, and 3x. The 1x zoom simulates the Hasselblad XCD 30mm lens - providing a wider field of view and artistic bokeh effects. The 2x zoom corresponds to the Hasselblad CXD 65mm lens for natural half-body portraits with beautiful bokeh. Lastly, the 3x zoom mimics the Hasselblad XDD 90V lens with soft background blur and subject emphasis.

Regardless of the chosen mode, without light sources behind, you won't notice significant differences in bokeh effects. Additionally, you can always adjust the device in each mode.

Regardless of the mode you use, portrait shots always excel - detailed and sharp subjects, with natural skin tones, accurate color rendition, and vivid bokeh effects. Well done, OnePlus!

• Selfie Shots

OnePlus Open allows for selfies using the dual front cameras (located within the screen cutouts), or you can utilize the four rear cameras with the assistance of the external cover screen. Starting with the 32 MP camera within the external cover screen. It's a Quad-Bayer sensor with 32MP resolution, meaning they are artificially enlarged.

The 32 MP shots look fantastic on the phone's screen. Their dynamic range is good, and colors are true to life. But all the photos are slightly blurry - the author doesn't mention a lack of contrast but rather a lack of sharpness. It seems like a software issue, related to the camera's image processing, so it might be fixed later.

The 20 MP camera within the foldable screen produces cleaner but less detailed shots - here, the enlargement is more evident. They offer wide dynamic range and vibrant colors, with no noise.

The main camera captures the best selfies with beautiful natural bokeh effects (photos 1 and 3), but you can also enhance the camera further with portrait mode (photo number two). Either way, the amount of detail, natural look, and excellent processing of this camera easily rank it at the top in terms of selfie photo quality.

Selfies zoomed in 2x from the main camera are also impressive with natural appearance, high detail, and beautiful bokeh effects.

The reviewer could hardly fit their entire face into the view of the 3x zoom lens, but the photo quality is excellent. And if you want to capture everything around you in one shot - you should use the ultra-wide camera - selfies with it are also quite good.

• Night Mode Photos

OnePlus Open utilizes a Night Mode similar to Apple - a moon icon turns yellow if the camera app will use Night Mode, or stays white if not. Tapping the moon icon toggles Night Mode on/off. There's also a separate Night Mode in the More tab, functioning similarly, more or less.

Nighttime shots with the main camera are some of the best the author has taken - they boast extremely high detail, no noticeable noise, wide dynamic range, and vibrant, true-to-life colors. There are no notable flaws in these photos. Regardless of whether Night Mode is active, each photo takes about a second to capture.

If you turn off Night Mode, capturing photos still takes about a second, and the photo quality will be similar to when using Night Mode, but with lower brightness and some blown-out highlights.

There's no lossless 2x zoom mode for nighttime shots; you're limited to digital zoom on the default output.

In low light, the 3x telephoto camera often remains dormant and rarely activates, which is regrettable because the device captures excellent photos. It activated in two instances for us, although the author successfully tricked the device by pointing it at a bright light source and then quickly returning it to its original position. Truly, this isn't an ideal choice.

The 3x zoom photos from the telephoto camera boast high detail, minimal noise if any, natural colors, wide dynamic range, and good contrast. Without Night Mode activated, you'll get lower dynamic range and darker brightness (second photo).

The remaining samples are 3x digital zoom shots from the main camera.

Similarly, the 6x zoom photos are also digitally magnified twice compared to the default 3x zoom photos when the telephoto camera is engaged, and they're quite usable.

Alternatively, they're digitally magnified 6x compared to the main camera when unable to use the telephoto camera due to the camera app's restrictions.

The ultra-wide camera always uses a 2-second Night Mode, and these photos are excellent - evenly illuminated, high in detail, minimal noise, good color saturation, and wide dynamic range. Occasionally, they undergo a red tint.

If you disable Night Mode, you'll get darker photos with reduced dynamic range, a practice the author doesn't recommend.

Finally, all cameras support Tripod Night Mode. Photos taken at 2x and 6x zoom are still digitally magnified two times compared to the main and telephoto cameras. Photos in Tripod Night Mode with the ultra-wide-angle, 1x, and 3x cameras are simply stellar by all criteria. So, if you have the opportunity and can use this mode, you should give it a try.

Conclusion

OnePlus Open is hailed as the top folding phone with its exquisite design and sharp Dolby Vision display. Paired with the top-of-the-line Snapdragon processor, robust battery, and fast charging speed, the device meets all usage needs effectively. The Hasselblad camera captures outstanding photos and videos, delivering a unique experience. OxygenOS 13 integrates a full range of features, making the OnePlus Open the perfect blend of design and performance.

So, what's your assessment of the OnePlus Open? Leave your comments below to let us know! Additionally, readers can check out other discounted foldable smartphones at Mytour by clicking the button below.

BUY AUTHENTIC FOLDABLE PHONES AT GREAT PRICES

See more:

• OPPO unveils incredibly convenient new feature for smartphone users
• OPPO Find N3 Series global launch: Unfold Brilliance in Style