Photo: OnePlus
OnePlus hopes to capitalize on the foldable hype with the OnePlus Open Apex Edition. While the device is largely a rehash of last year's model, the striking crimson colour and minor tweaks hope to entice those looking for a fresh foldable option. With a hefty price tag of $2,599.99, OnePlus is betting on the allure of exclusive features and a premium design to justify the cost.
The standout feature of the OnePlus Apex Edition is its crimson shadow colorway, which gives the device a more luxurious feel compared to the standard model. The vegan leather back cover provides excellent grip and adds a touch of sophistication. However, the core design remains unchanged, including the display quality and the noticeable but manageable crease.
Under the hood, the OnePlus Open Apex Edition is powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 16GB of RAM as its predecessor. However, it offers more storage at max 1TB compared to the standard model's 512GB storage.
While this combination still delivers smooth performance, it's worth noting that newer flagships are equipped with the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (like the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6). Battery life, which was already commendable on the original OnePlus Open, is expected to remain consistent.
Photo: OnePlus
The OnePlus Open Apex Edition introduces VIP Mode, a privacy-focused feature that disables microphones, cameras, and advertising tracking when activated. While the concept is intriguing, its execution feels somewhat half-baked, as GPS location is still enabled. You can activate this new mode by pushing up the alert slider on the side.
There is a new AI Smart Cutout tool, which offers a convenient way to create custom stickers and images. However, it's not a groundbreaking artificial intelligence feature compared to similar offerings from competitors.
The OnePlus Open Apex Edition is essentially a limited edition of a highly regarded device with a fresh coat of paint and a few minor upgrades. While it offers a premium look and feel, the lack of significant improvements and the higher price point make it a difficult sell for most consumers.
It also gets fewer updates than the standard model, with just three guaranteed major Android updates and four years of security updates from launch. Meanwhile, the standard model has four major Android updates and five years of security upgrades. But then, it just ensures that support for both variants ends simultanouesly. It would've been an enticing addition if the new variant got that extra year.
Photo: OnePlus
For those who simply must have the latest and greatest, the Apex Edition may be tempting. But for the majority, the standard OnePlus Open, especially at the discounted price, remains the better value.
You can get the OnePlus Open Apex Edition with some discounts and freebies at the time of this writing. It's possible to get a guaranteed $200 off the foldable when you trade in any phone in any condition. Eligible devices might get you up to a $550 discount as well. Plus, you get yourself a free pair of OnePlus Buds Pro 2.
If you aren't too keen on this more expensive option, OnePlus offers a back-to-school deal for the standard model that saves you up to $300 on top of the trade-in deals they provide.