TechPhonesI tried the OnePlus Open Apex Edition and now I’m torn over my favourite foldable phoneI love OnePlus' folding phone – and the Apex Edition is even better than the original OpenWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesI tried the OnePlus Open Apex Edition and now I’m torn over my favourite foldable phoneI love OnePlus' folding phone – and the Apex Edition is even better than the original OpenWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
I love OnePlus' folding phone – and the Apex Edition is even better than the original Open
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
When embarking on a recent work trip to theQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipsetreveal, I wrote a feature aboutthe best folding phoneswhile in transit. I’d packed theGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold,Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6andHonor Magic V3into my hand luggage for a three-way test, which was enough to sound the alarm at airport security.
A last-minute extra to that arsenal, however, was the OnePlus Open Apex Edition – the new and uprated edition of OnePlus' superb foldable, the inevitably namedOnePlus Open. It was still in its box in my hand luggage, as a late addition to the party – and, having since moved into it as my full-time phone, I’m now torn over which is my favourite foldable of the moment.
An eye-catching, colourful design
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
When I first reviewed the OnePlus Open, I thought its subtle green finish – known as Emerald Dusk, officially – was a little more exciting than the typical grey or black, but it’s a fairly subdued finish overall. The Apex Edition, however, really turns up the style dial.
Finished in what OnePlus calls Crimson Shadow, this rich red rear is a faux leather backing, and it’s way more eye-catching. Its textured surface – as you can see in my gallery of images above (and around this feature) – sports a centralised shiny OnePlus logo, and while the circular camera unit protrusion is still massive, I think it’s easily the best-looking version of OnePlus' folding phone.
Its main competition has some good-looking options, however, and while Google only sports ‘Obsidian’ or ‘Porcelain’ – read that as ‘black’ or ‘white’ – and Samsung offers similar (save for a pink option online-only, which I think stands out), it’s the Honor Magic V3 that has the most colourful alternative palette of ‘Green’ and ‘Reddish Brown’ (yes, those are the actual marketing names).
The OnePlus is just more distinctive though. It’s also redesigned the Alert Slider, which has an orange highlight, and in addition to self-explanatory Ring and Silent modes, there’s a new VIP Mode. What does this new addition do? Blocks off access to the camera and microphone to keep you in the zone.
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A display that’s between its competitors
Image1of3(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Aside from the look, however, it’s the screen that I’ve found to be the OnePlus Open Apex Edition’s key point of interest. There are two schools of thought here: a skinnier, tall-and-narrow screen, like that of the Galaxy Z Fold 6; or a close to ‘normal’ flagship-like screen, as per the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Inside, the 7.82-inch folding display is a 1.08:1 aspect ratio, so it’s nearly square. Ideal for Instagram, eh? But beyond that, I love how the unfolding mechanism has a rapidity and ‘snap’ about it, making it really satisfying to use. This large panel is also great for gaming and, thus far, the central crease hasn’t been too bothersome for me – although the fingerprints are undeniable.
Power that’s most pleasing
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
While the Crimson Shadow finish of the Apex Edition is a defining characteristic that separates it from the OnePlus Open original, some of the internal hardware also gets moved up a notch.
There’s 16GB RAM for effortless multi-tasking, for example, while 1TB storage gives a giant amount of onboard space to keep all your apps, files and extras. You do have to pay for it, though, as the Apex Edition is pricier than the original model, but in keeping with the current market competition. That said, as I write this the £1,699 UK price has been chopped to £1,499. In the US it’s priced at $1,899. It’s not available in Australia.
Today’s best OnePlus Open and OnePlus Open Apex Edition dealsOnePlus Open$1,117.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best OnePlus Open and OnePlus Open Apex Edition dealsOnePlus Open$1,117.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best OnePlus Open and OnePlus Open Apex Edition dealsOnePlus Open$1,117.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best OnePlus Open and OnePlus Open Apex Edition deals
OnePlus Open$1,117.99ViewSee all prices
OnePlus Open$1,117.99ViewSee all prices
OnePlus Open$1,117.99ViewSee all prices
OnePlus Open
OnePlus Open
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While I mentioned Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite up top, that’s too new for the Apex Edition to embody, as you’ll find the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on board here. I’m surprised it’s not the more recent Gen 3 version, frankly, but my week of use hasn’t left me with any qualms – it’s only OxygenOS that I’ve found can take a little getting used to.
Early verdict
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
When I first used the OnePlus Open, it was hands down the best folding phone I’d ever used. Since then, however, the competition has ramped up. And while Google does offer natural competition in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, that’s currently pricier and you don’t get the Apex Edition’s fancy Crimson Shadow finish – which, as you can see from my pictures, looks super.
Right, I’m off to slap that Alert Slider into VIP mode, unfold that 7.82-inch display to get my game on, and sink back into the joys of possessing a folding phone. The OnePlus Open Apex Edition is a real contender among the best of best, despite there being some slightly newer hardware now in the game.
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