Hands-On With the $1,700 'OnePlus Open' Foldable Smartphone

[M5RahuL]

Typical macrumors member "Folding phones are dumb!"

in the next year 'Apple Announces folding iphone!' "macrumors member - take my money!!!" 🙄😛

Of course! lol, even though Apple’s version will be like iPad.. great hardware, crippled OS!

 

[H2SO4]

Apple is not obligated to try everything under the sun just because a competitor is doing it. This may well be one of those scenarios where Apple is drawing a line in the sand and saying “I have decided to bet on wearable tech over folding phones” and we will all look back one day and see who was ultimately on the right side of history.

That's up to you and up to them and you can come up with however many reasons you like to defend the decision(s) made by Apple but I repeat, if you don't try it you don't know.

 

[H2SO4]

How much would you accept? Let’s say 50% thicker than the current iPhones would be OK (which is pretty bulky). For that they would already have to shave off 25% of the current thickness. That’s a lot. If they could do that, they‘d do it now. And imagine the camera bump. 🙂

I could go to 10mm thick, isn't a problem for me and as for the camera bump, I'd prefer it wasn't there. I actually prefer three sides of the phone with no protrusion on at all to give a totally flat surface for standing on edge.

 

[darngooddesign]

Look at iOS.. you’d think it’s 2007 all over again!

No one who actually used a 2007 iPhone would.

 

[robbietop]

I am counting down the days until Apple either Never releases one, or they do and its sales are either high with mass controversy with mass returns....or....they release one and nobody buys it.

They are overpriced, and from my experience with the Galxyfold, all gens, that crease only worsens with use.

 

[ctklein]

I want the sidekick to come back lol.

 

[darngooddesign]

I am counting down the days until Apple either Never releases one, or they do and its sales are either high with mass controversy with mass returns....or....they release one and nobody buys it.

They are overpriced, and from my experience with the Galxyfold, all gens, that crease only worsens with use.

That day happened years ago.

Apple has already never released one, and they will continue to never release one... until they do.

Bit of a 'Schrödinger's iPhone' situation.

 

[Rogue AI]

This seems like it’s the foldable to get.

 

[tshrimp]

I am counting down the days until Apple either Never releases one, or they do and its sales are either high with mass controversy with mass returns....or....they release one and nobody buys it.

They are overpriced, and from my experience with the Galxyfold, all gens, that crease only worsens with use.

Wife had the Flip 3 for about 2 years, and no notable issues at the crease. She has since upgraded to the Flip 5. I would assume if this was a big issue there would be a huge outcry.

 

[applepotato666]

Apple is not obligated to try everything under the sun just because a competitor is doing it. This may well be one of those scenarios where Apple is drawing a line in the sand and saying “I have decided to bet on wearable tech over folding phones” and we will all look back one day and see who was ultimately on the right side of history.

Yup. But also I think Apple is too well ran to not have explored every concept and have working prototypes of stuff like this. They just know they can afford to wait to get some market push before they release something. If they end up being wrong about foldables because the market dictates so, they will release one super quick and people will buy it and love it and they'll market it better than anyone. It's what they've always done. We went from the "your finger goes from here to here" iPhone 5 to iPhone 6 Plus with a gap of one year because the market confirmed people want big phones. But now, nothing about the market dictates it wants foldables to be the next thing. Apple more than any other company avoids making things just because. Currently foldables look like a 'just because we can' thing.

 

[Ludatyk]

But now, nothing about the market dictates it wants foldables to be the next thing. Apple more than any other company avoids making things just because. Currently foldables look like a 'just because we can' thing.

I wouldn't use the word "nothing," Google has decided to enter the market along with OnePlus in the US... so there's something brewing. And I see a few reddit threads "made the switch from the iPhone" every other day..

 

[tshrimp]

Yup. But also I think Apple is too well ran to not have explored every concept and have working prototypes of stuff like this. They just know they can afford to wait to get some market push before they release something. If they end up being wrong about foldables because the market dictates so, they will release one super quick and people will buy it and love it and they'll market it better than anyone. It's what they've always done. We went from the "your finger goes from here to here" iPhone 5 to iPhone 6 Plus with a gap of one year because the market confirmed people want big phones. But now, nothing about the market dictates it wants foldables to be the next thing. Apple more than any other company avoids making things just because. Currently foldables look like a 'just because we can' thing.

Actually it looks like it is because of sales and not just because they can.

From 2021:

Samsung shares foldable sales information, Flip vs Fold numbers are surprising

In an uncharacteristic move, Samsung announced foldable sales 2021 numbers. We know how many were sold and which one sold more.

www.androidauthority.com

• The industry is estimated to have shipped 10 million foldables last year, and Samsung was the biggest provider.
• This represents a 300% increase in foldable sales compared to 2020.

 

[Max Powers]

Would love to get a foldable once the prices come down a bit.

 

[darngooddesign]

Would love to get a foldable once the prices come down a bit.

Well that certainly wont be the iPhone one. 😂

 

[Surf Monkey]

Prior to the wide adoption of smartphones, folding phones (i.e. clamshells) were the most popular choice, and for good reason. Anyone remember the near phenonomen that was the starTAC back in 1996? It wasn't just a clamshell, it was in many ways the first fashion-oriented phone, too.

Clamshell phones were developed because people liked the Star Trek communicator. Not because it’s the optimal shape for a hand held computer.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Clamshell phones were developed because people liked the Star Trek communicator. Not because it’s the optimal shape for a hand held computer.

Exactly, there was an element of futurism to them at that point in time. Not so sure it’s as appealing now as it was 20+ years ago.

 

[darngooddesign]

Exactly, there was an element of futurism to them at that point in time. Not so sure it’s as appealing now as it was 20+ years ago.

I had a couple fold folding or sliding phones and to me the appeal was the same as now; smaller size when folded. Now admittedly, they felt tiny compared to a candybar phones.

 

[robbietop]

Wife had the Flip 3 for about 2 years, and no notable issues at the crease. She has since upgraded to the Flip 5. I would assume if this was a big issue there would be a huge outcry.

There is still a crease that is noticeable. Coworker got this years Galaxy Flip and within two weeks, there was already a noticeable fold crease down the middle. He returned it for a Galaxy S21+ and feels that is the better phone.

 

[robbietop]

That day happened years ago.

Apple has already never released one, and they will continue to never release one... until they do.

Bit of a 'Schrödinger's iPhone' situation.

My bet is they never do. It's a niche market with no growth....but then again they just announced an overpriced AR/VR headset in a saturated and stagnant VR/AR market.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Clamshell phones were developed because people liked the Star Trek communicator. Not because it’s the optimal shape for a hand held computer.

I much prefer the form factor of a clamshell or even candy bar opposed to the phablets. Has nothing to do with Star Trek, but everything with clothing and pockets and not wanting to carry a man bag 😉

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I had a couple fold folding or sliding phones and to me the appeal was the same as now; smaller size when folded. Now admittedly, they felt tiny compared to a candybar phones.

Same. Loved me sliding phones as well. Actually I think the Palm Pre was my favourite of all time.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I had a couple fold folding or sliding phones and to me the appeal was the same as now; smaller size when folded. Now admittedly, they felt tiny compared to a candybar phones.

I had a couple of clamshell phones many years ago (Motorola Razr, Pebl) when it was cool to have a phone that was as tiny as possible and flipped open. Mates of mine have had the Samsung Folds recently and nothing about them appeals to me if I’m honest, not keen on the screen crease and the moving parts, but they’ve been popular for some. I think there is a market for foldables, I’m just not the market and as long as there are other options I think it’s best for every type of taste.

 

[Unami]

Clamshell phones were developed because people liked the Star Trek communicator. Not because it’s the optimal shape for a hand held computer.

And I'm still waiting for one that looks like a TOS communicator and makes that chirping noise when opened.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I much prefer the form factor of a clamshell or even candy bar opposed to the phablets. Has nothing to do with Star Trek, but everything with clothing and pockets and not wanting to carry a man bag 😉

Well, I find the Pro Max to be fully pocketable. Much larger would be a problem for me. That said I carry a Filson tin cloth briefcase that I can toss it in if need be, but virtually never do.

 

[ackmondual]

There is still a crease that is noticeable. Coworker got this years Galaxy Flip and within two weeks, there was already a noticeable fold crease down the middle. He returned it for a Galaxy S21+ and feels that is the better phone.

It seems this will vary per person? Those who want the extra space woudl be willing to put up with the crease.