The OnePlus Open has proven itself as the top choice when compared to Samsung’s fifth-gen foldable, and it’s not a close competition, according to Android Police’s best foldable of 2023. If you asked me why choosing the OnePlus Open over Samsung’s fifth-gen foldable is a good idea, I’d first talk about the negatives, not the positives. You may miss out on consistent software upgrades, and the future of OxygenOS is uncertain.
If you usually buy through your carrier, you’ll need to explore other options. While I appreciate the design, some people find the large camera module on the back a bit divisive.
But, if you’re still here, still listening, there are plenty of reasons to choose the OnePlus Open. It’s the best book-style foldable we’ve seen, especially in 2023. Despite a few downsides (and no wireless charging), it outshines the rest of the US-based competition, putting Samsung and Google in a tough spot for 2024.
Let’s talk about what makes the OnePlus Open stand out. It all begins with its design. The outer display feels just like a modern smartphone, and the slim build keeps it from feeling too bulky when closed. This is a big deal because, until this year, US users had to deal with Samsung’s super-tall screen, which isn’t comfortable in many situations. The OnePlus Open changes that.
And the best part? The inner display is even better, with a minimal crease and a matte overlay that makes it usable in all lighting conditions. Samsung has improved its screen layers over time, but OnePlus has something special here. The anti-glare panel makes using the phone outdoors in direct sunlight much easier than other foldables. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: every future foldable should use this type of laminate. It’s essential.
OnePlus also gets something right that other foldable makers often get wrong: the camera. I’m not saying the Open competes with top-notch phones like the Pixel 8 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra. Instead of aiming for computational perfection, the Open uses Hasselblad color science to capture interesting, striking shots. It’s not flawless, especially when using a different camera, but in a world of excellent-but-sterile images, it stands out, even considering its unique form factor.
