Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open makes the best foldable choices here's why?
In 2023, the landscape of foldable smartphones witnessed significant developments, with two standout devices capturing attention
image for illustrative purpose
In 2023, the landscape of foldable smartphones witnessed significant developments, with two standout devices capturing attention: the OnePlus Open and the Google Pixel Fold. Despite both being book-style foldables, their unique characteristics make them polar opposites and, according to some, the best in their category.
While both phones share the book-style form factor with an outer display and an inner foldable display resembling a small Android tablet, they differ in hardware design. The Pixel Fold features a short and wide inner display that unfolds into a super-wide screen, whereas the OnePlus Open follows a more traditional approach with a nearly square inner display. The hardware comparison favors the OnePlus Open, benefiting from Oppo's foldable expertise, offering a seamless hinge, a discreet display crease, and overall excellent build quality. In contrast, the Pixel Fold falls short with a tight hinge, an occasionally incomplete 180-degree opening, and a noticeable wear on the display crease over time.
However, the hardware prowess of the OnePlus Open comes at a cost – it runs on OxygenOS, which, despite its functionality, lacks the cleanliness and user-friendly experience of the Pixel Fold's software. Google's efforts in enhancing Android for larger screens shine through on the Pixel Fold, providing an intuitive and seamlessly integrated user experience. The Pixel Fold's software optimally utilizes the expansive screen real estate, with features like split notifications and lock screens into panes.
In essence, the OnePlus Open excels in hardware, while the Pixel Fold shines in software, with neither aspect significantly hindering the overall performance of these devices. The comparison extends to other foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which, while competent, lags behind in both hardware and software compared to its counterparts. The OnePlus Open and Pixel Fold played a pivotal role in expanding the foldable market in the United States in 2023, and the anticipation for further advancements in 2024 is palpable.