OnePlus Open Review: A New Challenger in Foldable Phones

🌐 Introduction: OnePlus Steps Into the Fold

Foldable phones have moved from futuristic gimmick to serious contenders in the smartphone market. Samsung and Huawei have dominated the conversation, but 2025 has a new challenger: the OnePlus Open. Known for delivering premium hardware at competitive prices, OnePlus enters the foldable scene aiming to disrupt the duopoly.

At NerdChips, we previously explored whether foldables were Game-Changer or Gimmick, but this review takes a different angle. Instead of debating the category, we’re diving into the hardware, software, and everyday experience of OnePlus’s first foldable—and comparing it directly to the established Samsung Galaxy Z Fold line.

The question: does OnePlus bring something fresh, or is this just another foldable struggling to justify its existence?

🖥️ Display Quality: Dual Screens, Different Personalities

The OnePlus Open boasts a 7.8-inch inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate and vibrant AMOLED panel. The outer display, at 6.3 inches, avoids the cramped “remote control” look of earlier foldables by offering a nearly standard smartphone aspect ratio.

What stands out is brightness. The inner screen reaches 1,400 nits, making it more usable in direct sunlight than the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s 1,200 nits. Side-by-side tests show OnePlus colors to be slightly cooler, while Samsung leans warmer. Both are sharp, but OnePlus feels like a step ahead for media consumption.

Durability is still a concern. OnePlus claims 200,000 folds certified—about five years of daily usage—but real-world tests will tell if this holds. On Reddit’s r/foldables, one early user noted: “I’ve folded it 5,000+ times in a week, hinge feels smoother than my Z Fold ever did.”

💡 Nerd Tip: Always apply the pre-installed screen protector. Foldable displays remain more fragile than standard glass.

🔗 Hinge Durability: Smooth Yet Strong

OnePlus’s “Flexion Hinge” is slimmer than Samsung’s, reducing the crease visibility significantly. While the crease is still present at certain angles, it’s less distracting. The hinge supports multiple angles for tent mode and video watching, much like Samsung.

Durability benchmarks by DXOMark show the hinge resisting 20% more pressure before stress points compared to Galaxy Z Fold 5. The lighter hinge also reduces overall device weight, making the OnePlus Open 36 grams lighter than Samsung’s equivalent.

Hinge durability isn’t just about longevity—it’s about user trust. OnePlus seems to understand that foldable adoption depends on the confidence that the phone won’t fail under daily stress.

🔋 Battery Life & Charging Speed

Battery life is where OnePlus brings its signature advantage. The Open packs a 4,805 mAh dual-cell battery—slightly larger than Samsung’s 4,400 mAh. Combined with OxygenOS optimizations, most users report comfortably reaching the end of the day with 20–25% remaining, even under heavy use.

But the real game-changer is charging. OnePlus includes 67W SUPERVOOC charging, topping up from 0–100% in about 45 minutes. Compare that to Samsung’s modest 25W, which takes nearly double the time. For professionals on the go, this difference is massive.

One power user on X summed it up: “Foldables always had battery anxiety. The Open fixes that with charging speed alone.”

💡 Nerd Tip: Fast charging works best when you avoid running the battery below 10%. Frequent top-ups extend long-term health.

📱 Software Experience: OxygenOS Meets Foldable UX

Samsung’s biggest foldable advantage has always been software, with years of refinement in multitasking and app continuity. OnePlus enters late but surprisingly well-prepared. OxygenOS for Open offers:

• Split-screen multitasking with up to three apps.

• App continuity that shifts smoothly between outer and inner display.

• Taskbar similar to Samsung’s, for quick app switching.

The difference lies in speed. OnePlus animations feel snappier, though some apps (especially older ones) still stretch awkwardly. Samsung’s ecosystem wins in polish, but OnePlus nails responsiveness.

For hybrid workers using the foldable as a mini workstation, pairing this device with accessories from our Remote Work Essentials can make the Open a surprisingly capable productivity tool.

💡 Nerd Tip: Customize app continuity settings per app. Not every app needs to expand—fine-tuning improves the experience.

📷 Camera Performance: More Than an Afterthought

Foldables have traditionally compromised on cameras, but OnePlus didn’t skimp. Co-engineered with Hasselblad, the Open features a 48MP main sensor, 48MP ultra-wide, and 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

Daylight shots rival flagship slabs, and night mode performance is surprisingly competitive. The telephoto sensor gives it an edge over Samsung’s Z Fold, which maxes at 2x optical zoom. However, Samsung still leads in image processing consistency.

For content creators, the foldable form factor enables unique use cases: propping the phone half-folded for stable shots or using the outer display as a viewfinder. Pair it with tools from our Best Smartphone Accessories for Content Creators and it becomes a versatile creative device.

🎨 Comparison Snapshot

🎯 Strategic Takeaways

Display: OnePlus wins on brightness and aspect ratio.
Hinge: Slimmer, lighter, and less distracting.
Battery: Best-in-class charging solves foldable anxiety.
Software: Samsung still leads in polish, but OnePlus is fast and responsive.
Camera: OnePlus narrows the gap, with telephoto advantage.

⚠️ Failure Insight: Where OnePlus Still Falls Short

For all its strengths, the OnePlus Open isn’t flawless. The device lacks a full IP68 water resistance rating, settling instead for splash resistance. This may not matter for light rain, but it leaves the Open trailing Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 in durability confidence. Another limitation is app optimization. While OxygenOS handles most big-name apps well, some third-party apps still appear stretched or buggy in tablet mode. For productivity-heavy users, this inconsistency can feel frustrating.

The takeaway is clear: OnePlus nailed the fundamentals—display, charging, weight—but still has ground to cover in ecosystem maturity and ruggedness.

🗣️ User Perspective: First Hands-On Reactions

On X, an early adopter wrote: “Coming from a Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Open feels lighter and way faster. The charging speed is insane—I don’t miss Samsung at all.”

On Reddit’s r/foldables, another user shared: “The hinge is smooth, but app support still feels beta sometimes. My banking app doesn’t scale properly. Hoping updates fix it.”

These real-world voices highlight the duality: people love the hardware, but software consistency remains the challenge.

📊 Benchmark Data: Lab Tests Confirm the Gains

Independent testing backs OnePlus’s bold claims. GSMArena’s charging test clocked the 67W SUPERVOOC charger at 43 minutes for a full top-up—nearly twice as fast as Samsung’s Fold. Geekbench results show the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside the Open scoring slightly higher in multi-core performance than Samsung’s tuned version, confirming its edge in raw power.

DisplayMate tests rated the OnePlus Open’s panel A+ for brightness and color accuracy, outperforming Samsung in HDR content playback. In short, benchmarks align with user impressions: OnePlus has delivered real advantages in key specs.

📋 Extended Comparison Snapshot

🔮 Future Outlook: The Impact on Foldable Market

The OnePlus Open’s arrival is bigger than just one phone. By undercutting Samsung’s price slightly while delivering tangible advantages in charging, weight, and brightness, OnePlus pressures the market to move faster. Foldables can no longer rely on novelty—they must compete on specs and practicality.

Industry analysts already predict that OnePlus’s aggressive entry will push average foldable prices down by 8–10% over the next year. For consumers, this is the real win: competition drives innovation and affordability. For Samsung, the Open is a reminder that dominance isn’t permanent.

NerdChips sees this moment as the beginning of foldables moving from niche to mainstream. The OnePlus Open doesn’t just challenge—it forces the category to evolve.

🧠 Nerd Verdict

The OnePlus Open doesn’t just join the foldable race—it changes the conversation. By prioritizing brightness, battery life, and lighter design, it addresses pain points that have long plagued the category. Samsung’s polish remains unmatched, but OnePlus proves that foldables can be practical, exciting, and user-friendly without breaking under pressure.

For anyone considering a foldable in 2025, the OnePlus Open isn’t just a challenger—it’s a genuine contender.

❓ Nerds Ask, We Answer

💬 Would You Bite?

If you were buying a foldable today, would you prioritize Samsung’s ecosystem polish or OnePlus’s speed, battery, and lightweight design?