TL; DR
- There will be no OnePlus Open 2 in 2024. OnePlus skips this year to rethink its foldable strategy.
- Camera downgrades might have made the upcoming Find N5 a weak base for Open 2.
- OnePlus hints at a return with better hardware.
OnePlus has officially canceled the OnePlus Open 2 for this year, confirming that there won’t be a new foldable from them this year. In a community post, the OnePlus Open product manager explained that the brand is taking a step back to recalibrate its foldable strategy.
While this might sound like a strategic decision, it’s likely due to the camera compromises in the OPPO Find N5—the device that would have served as the base for the OnePlus Open 2.
“With that in mind, we’ve carefully considered the timing and our next steps in foldable devices, and we have made the decision not to release a foldable this year.”
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This Might Have Pushed OnePlus Back
The Oppo Find N5 is an ultra-thin foldable, measuring just 8.93mm in thickness. It will feature an IPX9 rating, an improvement in durability over previous models. However, while OPPO has focused on refining the design, it has also made some questionable compromises in cameras.
The OnePlus Open had a 48 MP ultra-wide camera with a 1/2-inch sensor, arguably one of the best ultrawide cameras ever on a foldable. The Find N5, however, drops to an 8 MP ultra-wide sensor, a significant downgrade.
The Find N5 replaces the original LYT808 sensor with a LYT700, a smaller and less capable sensor. Plus, The OnePlus Open had a 20 MP + 32 MP dual selfie camera setup (inner and cover display). The OPPO Find N5 is expected to reduce this to just 8 MP + 8 MP, which is a drastic downgrade.
Given these changes, it’s possible that OnePlus didn’t want to launch a foldable that felt like a step backward. Rather than releasing a weaker OnePlus Open 2 based on the Find N5, the company decided to skip this generation entirely. Or it could be something else that we’re not aware of.
“This is not a step back, it’s a recalibration. Our commitment to innovation is stronger than ever, and we’re excited to bring you fresh, unique experiences that truly Never Settle.”
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What This Means for Global Markets
With this decision, North America and India won’t be getting a new OnePlus foldable in 2024. The OPPO Find N5 is expected to launch in China, Southeast Asia, and select European markets, but it won’t be coming to the US or India.
OnePlus Assures a Return to Foldables
Despite canceling the OnePlus Open 2 this year, OnePlus has assured users that they are not exiting the foldable market. The brand remains committed to innovation and could return in 2025 with a OnePlus Open 2 based on the OPPO Find N6, which should feature improved hardware.
“Our decision to pause on foldable for this generation does not signify a departure from the category. We remain committed to incorporating breakthroughs into our future products.”
For now, OnePlus Open users will continue receiving software updates and after-sales support. What are your thoughts on OnePlus canceling the Open 2 for this year? Let me know in the comments section below.
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