OnePlus is ready to make waves with its upcoming “OnePlus Open” foldable smartphone, and the company’s CEO, Pete Lau, has provided a sneak peek in an exclusive interview with tech YouTuber Unbox Therapy. While the interview doesn’t dive into the device’s hardware specs or software features, it places a spotlight on a crucial element: the hinge. This may seem unusual, but it’s a testament to the extensive engineering that went into it. The OnePlus foldable will sport a slim, gapless design when closed, reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Pete Lau emphasized the significance of this hinge, revealing that OnePlus holds “35 patents” related to its design to ensure a flat form factor. To demonstrate its strength, the video showcases a tester folding the phone on a sheet of paper and suspending it mid-air by holding onto the sheet. The phone remains in place without shifting or sliding. Compared to the Oppo Find N2, a device from OnePlus’s sister brand, the new hinge has 31 fewer components and is “37 percent smaller.”
What’s intriguing is that, at first glance, it appears that OnePlus has avoided compromises on the outer screen, a criticism leveled at the Galaxy Z Fold 5 for its narrow cover display. OnePlus seems to have struck a balance, offering a comfortable design without making the screen too wide or thin.
Pete Lau exudes confidence in the device, stating that OnePlus is committed to delivering the best foldable phone for its users. While it remains to be seen if it will set records or secure a place on the list of top foldables, it has certainly aroused curiosity.
In the video, one may notice that the rear camera is concealed with cardboard, as OnePlus is keeping certain hardware details under wraps. However, a separate video has surfaced, offering a glimpse of the back of the foldable phone. The circular lens array appears consistent with OnePlus’s design language. Additionally, the textured alert slider, a signature feature from OnePlus’s OnePlus 11, makes a return.
Toward the end of the interview, Unbox Therapy inquired about OnePlus’s plans for a flip phone similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Pete Lau clarified that they are not developing one, citing the absence of a sizable audience interested in a device with a clamshell design.
While the exact launch date for the “OnePlus Open” remains undisclosed, speculation suggests it could be in the near future.
