The OnePlus Open Apex Challenges Samsung Foldable Dominance

The market for foldable smartphones has exploded, with every major manufacturer offering its own take on the concept. While Samsung led the pack when it first introduced the Galaxy Z Fold to the world, things have gotten a lot more competitive recently, with brands like OnePlus offering better value for money with the OnePlus Open for people looking to make the leap to a foldable device. Now, months after its initial launch, the new OnePlus Open Apex Edition is here, and even in this competitive market, it manages to hold its own as a great option for people looking to make a foldable phone their next investment.

Starting things off, the OnePlus Open Apex Edition is a special version of the OnePlus Open inspired by the iconic Hasselblad 503CW 60 Years Victor Red Edition. It features a premium vegan leather back with a diamond pattern, complemented by bold orange accents on the Alert Slider. The changes don’t stop there, though; it also features 1TB of storage, compared to the 512GB on the standard edition, and will feature VIP Mode, a special mode that also allows you to cut off access to the camera and microphone, at the same time you mute sound.

First and foremost, even though this is the top-of-the-range edition of the OnePlus Open , the Apex still manages to match Samsung’s $1,899.99 price tag for their base model of the latest Z Fold 6. If you can do without the special extras the OnePlus Open Apex offers , the standard edition with 512GB of storage will set you back $1,699, $200 less than Samsung’s base model. That’s no small chunk of change, especially when you consider that the Open comes standard with 512GB of storage, compared to the Fold6’s 256GB. More bang for your buck right from the start.

The differences only grow from there, because the Open isn’t just about being cheaper. OnePlus has packed this thing with some seriously impressive hardware that, for most of what you do on your phone, rivals Samsung’s offering. The foldable inner screen is a gorgeous 7.82-inch OLED panel, which is brighter and sharper than the 7.6-inch screen on the Fold6. When unfolded, you’re treated to a mini-tablet experience that feels more expansive and immersive.

“The OnePlus Open Apex Edition is a special version of the OnePlus Open inspired by the iconic Hasselblad 503CW 60 Years Victor Red Edition.”

Even the display on the outer cover is impressive: at 6.31 inches, it’s a hair bigger than the Fold 6’s and has a more traditional smartphone aspect ratio. This makes the Open feel much more like a ‘normal’ phone when folded. No more awkwardly stretched apps or cramped typing. As someone who has bigger hands, this has made it possible for me to actually use the OnePlus Open, while I found the Z Fold tedious and annoying for doing quick tasks.

Turning to the SoC, this is the one area where the OnePlus Open falls a little behind Samsung’s Fold6, but not by much. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip —the same silicon found in early 2023 flagships, including the Z Fold5 (which is currently priced at $1919.99 USD for the 512 GB model, a $220 difference). It’s not quite as cutting-edge as the Fold6’s Gen 3 processor, but real-world performance is still blazingly fast, with gaming and productivity comparing very well for most tasks. Couple that with a generous 16GB of RAM (4GB more than the Fold6), and you’ve got a multitasking powerhouse that can be used for everything from content creation to gaming with little issue.

Even with the slightly less modern SoC, battery life is another area where the Open manages to keep pace and even surpass Samsung’s foldable flagship. Its 4,805 mAh cell edges out the Fold 6’s 4,400 mAh battery, but the real kicker is the charging speed. The Open supports 67W fast charging, juicing up from empty to 100% in just 42 minutes. The Fold 6, meanwhile, is still stuck at 25W charging speeds that feel downright sluggish by comparison.

“The OnePlus Open boasts a versatile triple lens setup, headlined by a 48MP main shooter.”

For creators, OnePlus brings one of the best foldable camera systems to the party, with three solid rear cameras all ready to take on a variety of tasks. The OnePlus Open boasts a versatile triple lens setup, headlined by a 48MP main shooter. Early reviews praise its image quality as being on a par with, if not better than, the Fold 6 in many scenarios. The 64MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom is particularly impressive, offering more reach than Samsung’s 3x telephoto.

To be fair, the OnePlus Open falls short in a few areas, even if it excels in others. Samsung still has a few tricks up its sleeve with the Fold6. Its IPX8 water resistance rating trumps the Open’s IPX4 splash resistance. The Fold6 also supports the S Pen stylus, which could be a big draw for productivity-minded users. There’s no denying that Samsung has more experience in folding games, which could translate into better long-term durability.

“For those on the fence about taking the foldable plunge, the OnePlus Open Apex is an enticing proposition, especially with the new additions the phone brings to an already great device.”

Even with that, OnePlus makes a solid case for the Open Apex, thanks to the advantages the phone brings to the market, especially if you want your phone to be more than a device you show off at parties. OnePlus has crafted a device that feels like it was built from the ground up to be a foldable, rather than a regular phone that happens to bend in half. The hinge mechanism is smooth and sturdy, with a barely perceptible crease when unfolded.

For those on the fence about taking the foldable plunge, the OnePlus Open Apex is an enticing proposition, especially with the new additions the phone brings to an already great device. It delivers flagship-level specs and performance in an innovative form factor, while undercutting the competition on price. The OnePlus Open proves that you don’t have to empty your wallet or make major compromises to get in on the foldable action.

Of course, personal preference will always play a role in smartphone choice. Some users may prefer Samsung’s more established ecosystem, the Fold 6’s specific feature set, or even its new AI capabilities. But purely from a value and capability perspective, it’s hard to deny that the OnePlus Open has set a new standard for what we should expect from a premium foldable device.

The OnePlus Open Apex is undoubtedly a stunning piece of technology, offering some solid additions to an already impressive package. As the foldable phone market continues to heat up, competition like this can only be good news for consumers. It pushes manufacturers to innovate faster and offer better value for money. The OnePlus Open isn’t just a great phone in its own right; it’s a wake-up call to other companies to do better, and the Apex only pushes this further.