During the development of a smartphone, many versions are created before a final model is chosen. Occasionally, some discarded designs become public, showing us what could have been. The latest example is the Oppo Find N3 (known as the OnePlus Open in certain regions), with images of a rejected design appearing online.
Design Insights
The pictures, shared on Weibo, indicate that the Oppo Find N3 might have been released with a two-tone appearance, differing from the single color/material design that ultimately reached consumers. The Find N3 is available in four colors with two different material finishes: Green and Gold feature a glass back, while Black and Red come with a vegan leather finish.
These new visuals suggest that the phone could have had a combination of metal/glass and leather. They also indicate that the device would have included Oppo and Hasselblad branding along the vertical stripes.
Similarities to Final Product
Aside from the color variations, the overall design remains unchanged from the final product. The rounded corners of the frame and the large circular camera module on the back show that the phone’s design was mostly completed at this point.
We can only guess why Oppo opted for a single color/material finish in the end. Nonetheless, both the Oppo Find N3 and OnePlus Open (currently available on Amazon for $1,299) have garnered positive feedback for their design. For those who prefer a two-tone finish, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra offers a faux leather and frosted glass design.
Cai Zuxuan on Weibo via ITHome
