OnePlus Delays "Open 2" Foldable, Confusing Reasoning Emerges
Introduction
Despite the critical acclaim garnered by the OnePlus Open foldable released in 2023, the company has announced its decision not to release an "Open 2" in 2025. This decision has left many puzzled, given the positive reception and potential for market impact.
Foldables: A Market in Limbo
Foldable smartphones have gained traction in recent years, with Samsung leading the charge as the dominant player. However, the industry has experienced a lull in innovation, with Samsung’s latest offerings failing to offer significant advancements over previous generations.
This lack of progress has left room for competitors to seize the opportunity and push the boundaries of foldable technology. Brands like Honor and Xiaomi have introduced innovative designs and features, but their presence in the global market remains limited.
OnePlus Open: A Promising Challenger
The OnePlus Open, based on Oppo Find N3, emerged as a formidable competitor to Samsung. It received widespread praise for its exceptional hardware, impressive cameras, and surprisingly polished software. Its success in terms of sales and demand suggested a strong market appetite for a worthy Samsung challenger.
OnePlus’s Surprising Decision
Given the success and potential of the Open, it came as a surprise that OnePlus decided against releasing a successor in 2025. The company’s reasoning, according to a recent statement, was to prioritize "setting new benchmarks and challenging the status quo across all product categories."
Criticisms of OnePlus’s Reasoning
This reasoning has drawn criticism, as the Oppo Find N5, the basis for a potential "Open 2," represents a significant technological leap forward. Its remarkable thinness and exquisite design would arguably set new benchmarks and challenge the status quo in the foldable market.
Additionally, OnePlus would have a unique opportunity to establish itself as a global leader in foldables by releasing the Find N5 under its own brand. This would give consumers more options and put pressure on Samsung to innovate.
Samsung’s Advantage
OnePlus’s decision leaves Samsung firmly in control of the foldable market, as it will face minimal competition for the majority of its presence. This lack of competition could stifle innovation and allow Samsung to rest on its laurels.
Hopes for Google
In the absence of a new OnePlus foldable, the hopes for a competitive foldable market rest with Google. The company’s Pixel Fold series has shown promise, and the upcoming Pixel Fold 2 could potentially challenge Samsung’s dominance.
Conclusion
OnePlus’s decision to delay the "Open 2" foldable is a missed opportunity for innovation and competition in the foldable market. The company’s reasoning, emphasizing the need to set new benchmarks, seems contradictory given the substantial advancements offered by the Oppo Find N5. While Samsung remains the market leader, the lack of strong competitors could hinder the industry’s growth and benefit consumers. Only time will tell if OnePlus will reconsider its decision or if Google will emerge as the driving force behind foldable innovation.
