‘OnePlus Open Apex’ AI-Powered Foldable Phone Launches Next Week

The OnePlus Open Apex Edition, a cosmetic refresh of the OnePlus Open smartphone, is set to launch on August 7 with a new red colorway and potentially enhanced storage and AI features, but may come at a higher price point.

New design and inspiration: The Apex Edition introduces the “Crimson Shadow” colorway, a striking red hue with a faux leather texture inspired by the iconic Hasselblad 503CW 60 Years Victor Red Edition camera.

• The phone’s large black camera island combined with the new red color gives off a strong Deadpool vibe, making it visually distinct from the original OnePlus Open.

Potential hardware and software upgrades: OnePlus is teasing “enhanced storage” and “AI image editing features” for the Apex Edition, hinting at possible improvements over the standard model.

• The Apex Edition may offer more RAM and/or storage space compared to the already generous 16GB/512GB configuration of the standard OnePlus Open.
• The AI image editing features could be part of upcoming OxygenOS updates, which may eventually be available on the standard OnePlus Open as well.

Software update policy and pricing: The official product page lists a shorter software update policy for the Apex Edition compared to the standard model, which could indicate differences in the pre-installed Android version.

• The Apex Edition is listed with “3 years of OS upgrades,” while the standard OnePlus Open enjoys “4 years,” suggesting that the Apex Edition may come with Android 14 pre-installed.
• Pricing for the Apex Edition will be announced at the official launch on August 7, but there’s a chance it could launch at the OnePlus Open’s original $1,799 price tag or potentially higher.

Analyzing deeper: While the OnePlus Open Apex Edition brings a new eye-catching design and potential hardware and software enhancements, it remains to be seen if these changes justify a potentially higher price point. The shorter software update policy for the Apex Edition also raises questions about the long-term value proposition for consumers. As more details emerge following the official launch, it will be crucial to assess whether the Apex Edition offers enough meaningful improvements over the standard OnePlus Open to warrant its existence as a separate model.