OnePlus Open: A strong contender in the foldable phone arena. Explore its features and potential

OnePlus, renowned for its high-quality smartphones, is set to venture into the foldable device arena with the much-anticipated OnePlus Open. Scheduled for release on October 19, here's a roundup of the latest leaks and speculations surrounding this innovative gadget.

Design: A Familiar Folding Form

The OnePlus Open is designed to fold outwards, akin to models like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and vivo X Fold2. Official-looking press renders, shared by WinFuture, provide a glimpse of the device's aesthetics. Interestingly, the design bears a striking resemblance to the leaked schematic of the yet-to-be-announced Oppo Find N3, which is expected to remain exclusive to China. In contrast, the OnePlus foldable will be available internationally. The renders also offer a sneak peek at a OnePlus 11-inspired camera setup on the back, complete with Hasselblad branding and three sensors.

The device boasts sleek metal sides and a textured back with a leather-like finish. Noteworthy features include a fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button and the beloved alert slider on the left-hand side.

Specifications: Cutting-Edge Hardware

In the specs department, the OnePlus Fold is projected to house a 6.31-inch AMOLED cover screen with FHD+ resolution and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. The outward-facing panel is expected to host a 20MP selfie camera within a centered punch-hole cutout.

The main attraction is the 7.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display, likely sporting 1,900 x 2,100px resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. As per the renders, a punch hole cutout in the top left corner will accommodate its 32MP selfie camera.

Under the hood, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is anticipated to power the OnePlus Fold, complemented by up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide (IMX581), and a 64MP 3x optical zoom lens.

Battery and Software: Optimized Performance

Rumored to house a 4,800mAh battery with 67W charging support, the OnePlus Fold slightly trails behind the OnePlus 11's 5,000 mAh battery capacity. The software experience will be driven by OxygenOS 13.1, based on the latest Android 13 platform. It remains to be seen how OnePlus intends to optimize features for the larger canvas.

Pricing and Availability: Competitive Edge

Leaked information suggests a price tag of $1,699 for the OnePlus Open - a modest $100 less than the launch price of the Galaxy Z Fold5. However, international customers may face a slightly higher price point. The OnePlus Open is slated to be officially unveiled on October 19, with availability in the US and Europe, barring Germany due to an ongoing patent dispute between parent company Oppo and Nokia in the region.