The OnePlus Open: Still a Foldable to Beat — But Will We Ever See a Sequel?

When the OnePlus Open launched in 2023, it instantly changed how I looked at foldable phones. Up to that point, my main daily driver was the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and while it was impressive, it always felt a bit narrow and awkward to use closed. Then came the OnePlus Open — a breath of fresh air with its wider outer display, sleek hinge design, and cameras that could finally compete with traditional flagships.

It wasn’t just another foldable; it was the foldable I’d been waiting for.


The OnePlus Open Was Ahead of Its Time

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the OnePlus Open delivered some of the smoothest performance I’d ever experienced on a foldable. Even in 2025, it still feels quick — snappy multitasking, fluid animations, and excellent thermal control.

What really set it apart, though, was its 6.3-inch outer display. It was refreshingly usable compared to the narrow front screen on the Fold 4 and even today’s Z Fold 7. The Open struck that perfect balance between compact and functional, something Samsung still hasn’t quite nailed.

And let’s not forget those cameras. With a 64 MP telephoto, 48 MP main, and 48 MP ultra-wide, it punched above its weight. Even in 2025, those specs rival many flagships. Add to that the nearly crease-less inner display, and you had a foldable that looked futuristic and refined from every angle.


The Letdown: No Sequel… Yet

Toward the end of 2024, rumors began circulating that OnePlus wouldn’t release an Open 2 — at least not anytime soon. Instead, Oppo, the parent company, shifted focus toward the Find N5, leaving global users wondering if OnePlus had quietly exited the foldable race.

It was disappointing, especially since the OnePlus Open was a global release with U.S. availability — something Oppo’s phones still lack. The Open also had an advantage in repairability and support, with legitimate U.S. service options, unlike imported Chinese models.

If you’re still rocking the original Open, you know it’s aged remarkably well. But for fans hoping for a 2025 or 2026 sequel, things started to feel uncertain.


Oppo Find N5: A Step Backward for Many

Then came the Oppo Find N5 — essentially the OnePlus Open’s spiritual successor in Asia — and the excitement turned into frustration. Oppo slimmed down the body but at the cost of major camera compromises.

They dropped to an 8 MP ultra-wide and 8 MP selfie camera, keeping only the main sensor at flagship quality. That’s a big step backward for photography lovers. Even die-hard Oppo fans admitted it felt like a downgrade.

The Find N5’s taller, narrower form also didn’t help. It reminded me too much of Samsung’s old Fold design — elegant, yes, but awkward for typing or watching videos.

So for me, the OnePlus Open still holds the crown. It found that perfect blend of design, camera power, and usability that others have struggled to match.


A Look Back: OnePlus Open vs Honor Magic V2

To understand where the next OnePlus Open could go, it helps to look at what its closest competitor was doing around the same time. The Honor Magic V2 came out just months after the Open, pushing the limits of thinness and refinement. Both phones were remarkable, but they took slightly different paths.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two:

CategoryOnePlus OpenHonor Magic V2
Launch (Global)Oct 2023Sept 2023
Chipset / GPUSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Adreno 740Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Adreno 740
Software at LaunchAndroid 13, OxygenOS FoldAndroid 13, MagicOS 7.2
Dimensions (Folded)153.4 × 73.3 × 11.7 mm156.7 × 74.0 × 9.9 mm
Thickness (Unfolded)5.8 mm4.7 mm
Weight239 g231 g
Outer Display6.3″ LTPO OLED (2484 × 1116, 120 Hz)6.43″ LTPO OLED (2376 × 1060, 120 Hz)
Inner Display7.82″ LTPO OLED (2440 × 2268, 120 Hz)7.92″ LTPO OLED (2344 × 2156, 120 Hz)
Peak Brightness2800 nits2500 nits
Rear Cameras48 MP main + 64 MP telephoto + 48 MP ultra-wide50 MP main + 20 MP telephoto + 50 MP ultra-wide
Front Camera20 MP16 MP
Battery4805 mAh (Li-Poly)5000 mAh (Si-Carbon)
Charging67 W wired66 W wired / 50 W wireless
BuildAluminum frame + vegan leather backMagnesium alloy + titanium hinge
Fold CreaseNearly invisibleVery light
Price (Launch)~$1,699 USD~$1,200 USD (China)

While the Magic V2 was thinner and lighter, the OnePlus Open still felt more balanced overall, especially in camera performance and display usability. The V2 pushed boundaries in engineering, but the Open offered the kind of polish that made it feel complete right out of the box.


What Could the OnePlus Open 2 (or Oppo Find N6) Bring?

If Oppo does release a Find N6, or if OnePlus resurrects the “Open” brand, we can expect a few things based on leaks and the direction of the market:

  • Thinner design: Honor and Vivo have already proven that foldables can be razor-thin, and Oppo can follow suit.
  • Improved cameras: Oppo reportedly learned from the N5’s mistakes and plans to boost image quality — particularly with larger sensors and higher-resolution ultra-wide and zoom lenses.
  • Larger battery: Rumors suggest a slight bump beyond 5,000 mAh, possibly with 100 W charging to rival Honor’s V-series.
  • Wider aspect ratio: The N6 may shift closer to the original Open’s proportions, which would be a welcome return.

The big question is whether OnePlus will return as Oppo’s global counterpart, as they did before. If so, we could finally see a new OnePlus Open 2 make its way to international markets — complete with updated specs, refined software, and that beloved multitasking interface that allows three apps at once on the big screen.


My Take — and What I’m Hoping For

If Oppo and OnePlus truly want to capture global attention again, they’ll need to go back to what made the first Open great — no compromises. The wide form factor, top-tier cameras, global launch, and premium build made it special.

Foldables are finally maturing, and as the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 prove, there’s no excuse for weak cameras or limited regions anymore. The demand is there.

If the OnePlus Open 2 becomes real, even as a rebranded Find N6, I’ll be first in line to test it. And if not? Well, the original Open remains one of the most balanced foldables ever made — and a reminder that OnePlus once built something truly ahead of its time.


Would you buy a OnePlus Open 2 if it launched next year? Or has the brand already lost your trust after skipping 2025 entirely? Let me know your thoughts — and check out my full comparison video where I dive deeper into what makes the Open still one of the most satisfying foldables to use daily.

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