OnePlus, the popular smartphone manufacturer, is set to enter the foldable phone market with its first offering in the third quarter of 2023. The official date has yet to be confirmed, but a leak by reliable tipster Max Jambor suggests the launch could happen in August of that year. The upcoming foldable smartphone from OnePlus will compete with the likes of Samsung, Oppo, and Motorola, who already have releases in the market.
OnePlus’ First Foldable Smartphone
The smartphone manufacturer announced its plan to launch its first foldable smartphone later this year at MWC in 2023. The device’s launch date was confirmed for sometime in the third quarter of 2023. A few glimpses of the foldable smartphone were showcased at its Cloud 11 event earlier this year, but no further details have been shared by the company.
According to Jambor’s latest tweet, OnePlus’ first foldable phone could launch in August of 2023. The report coincides with the earlier announcements made by the company that it is launching its first foldable device in the third quarter of 2023. Although there are no official announcements on the specifications of the product, it is speculated to come with a 2K display, akin to the display of Galaxy Z Fold 4 from Samsung.
OnePlus also got trademarks for two monikers, namely OnePlus V Fold and OnePlus V Flip, giving rise to the possibility of two foldable devices in the works. These devices could include a conventional, horizontal folding smartphone and a clamshell foldable smartphone, according to reports.
The Competition
The forthcoming OnePlus foldable smartphone is expected to compete with other popular smartphones in the market, such as Samsung, Oppo, and Motorola. These brands have already launched their foldable smartphones in the market, giving OnePlus stiff competition. The foldable smartphone market is relatively new, but it has a lot of potentials.
Samsung
Samsung is one of the leading brands when it comes to foldable smartphones, particularly for foldable displays. The Galaxy Z Fold series from Samsung is considered a market leader. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 comes with a 7.6-inch display and a durable and seamless hinge mechanism, providing a premium smartphone experience to its users. However, the device’s price point is high, ranging above $1,700, making it a premium category smartphone.
Oppo
Oppo made its entry into the foldable smartphone market by launching Oppo X 2021. The device comes with a rollable screen, offering a unique and innovative display. The user can either increase the screen to 7.4 inches or decrease it to 6.7 inches. Since the device is in its initial stages, it is neither released in the market nor priced yet.
Motorola
Motorola has been long associated with the foldable phone trend. The Motorola Razr is a clamshell device that has created much buzz since its launch. Though it deems shallow on specifications, the fashionable design and foldable display have attracted a substantial amount of customers. The device comes with a foldable 6.2-inch display and an additional 2.7-inch external screen, making it quite compact and convenient to use.
New Smartphone from OnePlus
OnePlus is reportedly working on a new smartphone, the Nord N30, as a successor to the Nord N20. Though there is no confirmation of its launch date, the device was spotted on Google Play Console listing. The device’s specifications suggest that it could be a rebranded OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G in the US. The device is speculated to come with a Full HD+ display and come powered with an 8GB RAM and a Snapdragon 695 SoC.
Pixel Fold Launch
Google has also announced the launch of its foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, soon. The company has officially revealed the design, hinge mechanism, and inner display of the device in a teaser video posted on Twitter. The device is expected to launch on May 10 at Google’s upcoming I/O event. With OnePlus also joining the bandwagon of foldable smartphones, the competition and excitement in the market are likely to increase.
