OnePlus Open Apex Edition: A Crimson Beauty with Last Year's Specs

BigGo Editorial Team
OnePlus Open Apex Edition: A Crimson Beauty with Last Year's Specs

OnePlus has unveiled the Open Apex Edition, a refreshed version of its debut foldable smartphone. While it maintains most of the hardware from last year's model, it introduces some notable upgrades and a striking new design.

This image captures the unique folding design of the OnePlus Open Apex Edition, highlighting its modern aesthetics
This image captures the unique folding design of the OnePlus Open Apex Edition, highlighting its modern aesthetics

Key Features

  • Gorgeous new Crimson Shadow color with faux leather finish
  • Upgraded to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage
  • New Goodix GSEA0 security chip for enhanced privacy
  • Retains Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 16GB RAM

Design and Display

The Open Apex Edition stands out with its eye-catching burgundy red color scheme, officially called Crimson Shadow. The faux leather back provides a premium feel and improved grip. At 239g, it remains one of the more compact foldables on the market, though no longer the lightest.

The device retains the excellent 6.31-inch cover display and 7.82-inch inner folding screen from the original Open. Both AMOLED panels support 120Hz refresh rates and Dolby Vision.

The image showcases the OnePlus Open Apex Edition, emphasizing its elegant design and innovative folding features
The image showcases the OnePlus Open Apex Edition, emphasizing its elegant design and innovative folding features

Performance and Battery

Powered by last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the Open Apex Edition delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming. However, it lacks the efficiency improvements of newer chipsets. Battery life remains decent, typically lasting a full day, but falls short of some 2024 competitors.

The 80W fast charging can fully replenish the 4805mAh battery in about 45 minutes.

Camera System

While using the same camera hardware as its predecessor, software updates have improved image quality:

  • 48MP main camera (Sony LYT-T808)
  • 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
  • 48MP ultra-wide
  • 32MP cover selfie camera
  • 20MP inner selfie camera

Software and Updates

The Open Apex Edition runs OxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14. It excels in multitasking capabilities, offering intuitive split-screen and window management features. A new VIP Mode allows users to quickly disable microphone and camera access for enhanced privacy.

However, OnePlus only promises three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, which is disappointing for a premium device in 2024.

A vibrant display of the OnePlus Open Apex Edition, symbolizing its advanced software capabilities and user interface features
A vibrant display of the OnePlus Open Apex Edition, symbolizing its advanced software capabilities and user interface features

Pricing and Availability

The OnePlus Open Apex Edition is available now for $1,899 in the US and ₹1,49,999 in India. While pricey, it undercuts some competitors in certain markets.

Verdict

The OnePlus Open Apex Edition is a visually stunning foldable that still offers competitive performance in 2024. Its multitasking prowess and camera quality remain strong points. However, the lack of cutting-edge specs and limited long-term software support may give some buyers pause at this price point.

For those who prioritize design and don't need the absolute latest internals, the Open Apex Edition presents an intriguing option in the foldable market. Others may want to wait for more substantial hardware upgrades in a potential successor.