So, I wasn't supposed to purchase a phone, let alone a foldable because I was a happy Surface Duo user, however, circumstances dictate for me to purchase a new foldable because my Duo slipped out of my pocket and dropped. At first, the screen was still responsive even though there were cracks all over it, but little by little the responsiveness declined. Luckily, OnePlus was released just in time I was looking for a new foldable. You are probably asking, why didn't I have my Duo repaired? I would if I could, but I am currently living out of the US, and I cannot just send my device for repair. I will when I return state side.

Why did I select OnePlus over the like of Samsung Fold and Pixel Fold. For one, I was looking for a phone that emulates the Surface Duo's ability to multitask. After trying both devices, I decided to go with the OnePlus Open based on multiple reviews online on how it handles multiple apps at the same time. Granted, it is a leap of faith decision since where I am at, the foldable isn't available at all "“ thanks Oppo!

Now that I have had the phone for a month, I'm happy to say that I enjoy using the device and all its quirks. For one, the widgets are not expandable when you open the device. They are all on the left side of the screen, and you cannot move it in the center of the screen. It is not a deal breaker, but it would just be nice to see whatever widgets that's on the front screen to be in the middle of the device when you unfold it.

Microsoft Teams (school or work) is sometimes quirky with this device. When you tap to answer a notification while using both screens. The app for some reason has multiple sessions on the left side of the screen. You must navigate back close those sessions before you can respond.

Luckily, from what I have read, Microsoft is giving love to this device, as it will bake the Link to Windows feature into the OS soon (Oxygen 14) "“ ala Samsung. I hope that Microsoft will work out some of the issues with MS Teams with the manufacturer as well.

Now that the cons are out of the way, here is a list that I like about the device:

Battery Optimizer - tells you when an app is draining the battery, and the battery last exceptionally long
Fast Charging - it is extremely fast when you use its charger!
Weight - noticeably light compared to the rest of the foldables I've tried

And of course, the camera, but that is a different topic!

I am glad that I had that leap of faith and purchased this device, and for now, my Surface Duo 2 will take a rest.

(I'm giving this device four stars for now, but I will update this review once Oxygen OS 14 is released. Maybe then, I can give it 5 stars.)

Update: After receiving the latest Update for the device, the system is still marred with the same dual screen issue for some Apps. While functional, you can tell that it isn't natural for a foldable, as it tries to run the app in full screen. The same goes with Microsoft Teams as I mentioned above.

Link to Windows is fully baked, and from what I can tell, it is functioning as it should.

Keeping it at 4 stars.

Excellent experience and a great introduction to Foldables. User experience is very smooth and fast. Navigating the interface felt intuitive. Multitasking is amazing on this device and features to activate them should be the standard in the industry. The leather back is quite nice it is soft and adds texture to grip the phone with a case. Camera quality is better than the quality on Samsung folds in my opinion, but the bump is outrageously large. If you get pass the look, it is understandable to hold the phone and use it like any other digital camera. Also it gives a nice ledge rest on your fingers while you use the front screen... A amazing phone.

I have owned the Samsung Z Fold 3, 4, and 5. There were so few substantial changes in those releases that I sold the Z Fold 5 within three months of ownership. I never enjoyed using the outer screen for anything, especially if I needed to enter data, because it was too narrow. The cameras were too much of a downgrade from their S-series phones. Although they had pen support, carrying one required a thicker case on an already large and heavy phone. I wear pants with large pockets, but the long skinny foldable would occasionally fall out while sitting down.

While the Z Fold interface can be very good, there were too many duplicated apps that added little additional functionality, including their voice assistant. This unnecessarily increased overall complexity when using the phone.

I also purchased the S24 Ultra with AI built in, but only for the Samsung apps. Since I don't use their browser, voice assistant, messaging, or mail I didn't have access to much AI on that phone. Plus, I had become accustomed to the larger inside screen and missed that part of the foldable experience.

I then tried the Pixel Fold, but did not like its inability to easily lay flat, many apps did not display correctly on the large inside screen, it had heat issues when doing everyday things, and Google's pitiful history of pixel phone support (I have owned several early Pixel phones). I loved the outer screen aspect much better than the Z Fold.

I read several reviews for the OnePlus Open that were so good I purchased one and these are my notes so far.

Pros
- the outer screen is the perfect height and width for typing with my larger thumbs
- face unlock is more accurate and faster
- it is lighter than the Z Fold and much lighter than the Pixel Fold
- it charges in 42 minutes from 0%, so I do not miss or need wireless charging
- its larger battery lasts longer than the Z Fold 5
- while I am not a phone camera expert, my pictures are noticably better
- the interface is much simpler and streamlined with minimal app duplication
- I am surprised how much I like their Open Canvas multi-tasking implementation
- the crease on the phone is much closer to being invisible than all Z Folds or the Pixel Fold

Cons
- not water or dust proof, just splash resistant
- not a wide selection of good cases

i've used many folding phones in the past and this is my favorite. it is far better than the z fold 5 in so many ways.
1. it is lighter and makes a huge dif for one handed use
2. outside screen is larger and feels like a normal phone when folded. z fold screen is so narrow you are forced to open it every time and it becomes a chore
3. crease less noticeable compared to samsung
4. has faster charging with brick included in the box
5. overall just flat out better value and experience compared to samsung

i've been a huge samsung fan but oneplus is crushing it. i expect samsung to make some drastic changes with their z fold 6 to compete

I have to say, I was surprised by this phone. Being a loyal Samsung user for over the last decade, I was conflicted between choosing this or the Fold 5. Eventually choosing this phone due to the better screen ratios and for One Plus's (technically) first folding phone and my first One Plus phone. Wow. Just wow.

I've had the phone for around 3 days now and so far I have gotten multiple compliments. And while I can not recommend the phone currently due to the admittedly high prices of folding smart phones. I plan on recommending it when it assumedly drops in price when the next generation releases.

Pros;

"¢ Perfect foldable screen aspect ratios.
Unlike Samsung that insists on a thing outer folding screen in (an assumed) attempt to make people want to use the opened form of the phone. One plus instead offers a for normal outer screen. Not only meaning you can use it like a normal phone but also get a larger tablet from factor.

"¢ Invisible Crease
When the screen is folded open the crease is probably the best currently on the market. Unable to be seen unless held at angles that you would never even think of looking at the phone at unless you wanted to see the crease.

"¢ Battery Life
So far I have only gotten below 50% battery after regular use of the phone in one day. That day being the first day I got the phone, when it arrived at 50% battery.

"¢ Charging
This phone will charge FAST. I've put this charge at charge around 60% and came back 20-30 minutes later to see it fully charged.

Cons;
"¢ Price
Now this is a problem with all main foldable phones currently on the market but yeah... I honestly can not see foldable becoming main stream until they are able to be brought down in price. Though that is probably still a few years off.

"¢ Software
Now this is not a dig at Oxygen OS as it so far feels like a good skin on the great Android OS. But some apps act weird when swapping between open and closed modes. Stretch long or squishing. I don't know if this is because these apps have only focused on working well on screen sizes similar to the Galaxy Fold but it is an issue where I sometimes have to close out of apps when swapping between screens just to not deal with awkward lay outs. Besides that though so far everything has been great.