Key Takeaways
1. OnePlus has decided not to launch a new foldable phone, opting to let Oppo lead in this area for now.
2. The foldable phone market is growing slowly, with only a 2.9% increase in sales compared to 2023, influenced significantly by Samsung’s models.
3. OnePlus is waiting for foldables to gain more popularity before considering a successor to the OnePlus Open.
4. The company is focusing on improving foldable designs by making them slimmer and reducing crease visibility without sacrificing key specifications.
5. OnePlus prioritizes delivering a high-quality experience, stating that timing and effective solutions to challenges are crucial before launching new foldable devices.
OnePlus has recently shared some insights on its decision not to launch a new foldable phone to go along with Oppo’s Find N5. Back in February, the company announced that it would be reassessing its foldable strategy, with Oppo taking the lead in this area. This clarification led TechRadar to explore further during a recent sponsored visit to OnePlus’ headquarters in Guangdong.
Market Insights
Rudolf Xu, a Senior Product Marketing Manager, noted that the foldable phone market isn’t growing as fast as OnePlus had hoped. He referenced recent data from CounterPoint, which shows that foldable smartphone sales saw a 2.9% increase compared to 2023. Part of this rise can be linked to the OnePlus Open. However, the research indicates that the performance of Samsung’s foldables, such as the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6 (currently priced at $1,249 on Amazon), had a bigger influence on the limited growth seen year-on-year.
Future Plans
It appears that OnePlus is biding its time, waiting for foldables to become more popular before they consider introducing a successor to the OnePlus Open. Xu mentioned that OnePlus is actively exploring ways to make foldables smaller while also reducing crease visibility and ensuring that any changes in size or thickness do not compromise the flagship experience. This means there’s no certainty that a OnePlus Open 2 will launch when Oppo refreshes its Find N series. TechRadar published Xu’s full quote:
“In the foldable industry, the common challenge for every smartphone maker is how to make the phone slimmer, lighter, and the crease less visible, while also, at the same time, not sacrificing other key specs when you are trying to solve those challenges.”
Commitment to Quality
At OnePlus, the focus is on delivering the best experience possible. Xu reflected on the OnePlus Open, stating that even now, it boasts very competitive specifications. He emphasized that it’s more about timing and how they can address these challenges effectively. “That’s why we decided not to launch a foldable this year,” he remarked.
He also shared some statistics, noting that according to the latest Counterpoint research, foldable shipments rose by 2.9% year-over-year in 2024, which was actually lower than anticipated. While the foldable market is indeed growing, it will take time for these devices to reach mainstream acceptance and truly become a product for the majority.
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