So far, all we’ve heard from OnePlus in terms of a foldable phone is that the company is in no rush to make one. However, the latest from the rumor mill suggests that such a device is now in development and could appear in a familiar form.
According to sources who spoke to Pricebaba (opens in new tab) and tipster Yogesh Brar (opens in new tab)the foldable OnePlus is now “in development” – although for now we have no indication of when it might see the light of day or how much it might cost.
The same report states that OnePlus will launch five smartphones over the course of 2022 and that this foldable phone is not on that list. It remains to be seen whether it will be on the market before the end of the year.
We have met?
A tidbit of information we have is that the OnePlus foldable phone will be based on the Oppo Find N, which is currently only available in China. That makes sense considering Oppo and OnePlus are part of the same parent company, BBK Electronics.
Oppo and OnePlus have previously confirmed that they will be working more closely together in the future – essentially merging their smartphone efforts – so the Oppo Find N could be launched internationally that way.
Back in 2020, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau said foldable phones offer no “substantial benefit or value” — but of course times have changed. As soon as there is something official about OnePlus Foldable, we will of course let you know.
Analysis: Everyone wants a foldable
It was Huawei and Samsung that pushed the foldable phone form factor in significant ways, and while Huawei has slowed down a bit since then, we still have the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.
The latter phone uses the clamshell style also inherited from the Motorola Razr, which is expected to get a refresh this year. Now it looks like OnePlus wants to join in – and we know it’s already been working on software for foldable phones.
Manufacturers based in China such as Oppo have also stepped in, led by Xiaomi. Vivo is rumored to be releasing a foldable device in the near future, while the recent leak we just reported on suggests OnePlus could be next in line.
With costs falling and technology improving, what about Google and Apple? Speculations about the Pixel Fold and iPhone Fold have been around for years at this point, but it looks like Google is set to launch Apple with one device.
