The OnePlus Open is now officially available, and it excels in several aspects, outperforming the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Samsung’s other foldable devices in certain areas. The primary advantage of the OnePlus Open, in my opinion, is its larger external display, which surpasses that of the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Initially, I was also impressed by the Open’s larger battery, but subsequent reviews revealed that its greater capacity doesn’t necessarily translate to superior battery life.
Regarding the rest of the Open’s specifications, they are commendable, particularly considering the price at which it is being sold in India. Nevertheless, none of these features make me reconsider the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the absence of conveniences such as wireless charging and proper water resistance is noticeable. However, I find the contents of the OnePlus Open’s box to be quite appealing.
Smartphone manufacturers have made substantial claims over the years about their commitment to environmental preservation, using it as a rationale to discontinue including accessories like chargers and earphones with their phones. Samsung is no exception, despite the company’s regular release of phones with similar hardware and specifications, leaving us questioning their environmental concerns.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5, the most expensive smartphone in Samsung’s lineup, comes with a minimalistic accessory package, including only a USB-C cable, a brief quick start guide that most users never peruse, and a SIM ejector PIN. Most notably, it does not include an S Pen.
In contrast, the OnePlus Open includes a protective case and an 80W or 67W charger, depending on the market. It also provides standard items like a USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and a quick start guide. While this list of contents may not appear particularly impressive, it sheds light on how the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s overall cost can surpass that of OnePlus’ foldable.
Unless you’re willing to take a risk, you’re likely to purchase a protective case for your Galaxy Z Fold 5. Premium cases can cost as much as a hundred dollars. Additionally, there’s the S Pen, which can set you back another $50 to $100, depending on your location. If you opt for the S Pen, you’ll also need to buy a separate case since the stylus cannot be stored inside the Z Fold 5. These additional expenses can easily add up to $200 or more on top of the phone’s base price.
While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 does offer the advantage of stylus support, when you’re paying $1800 for a phone, you wouldn’t expect one of its best features to be an optional purchase. Moreover, if that feature necessitates an additional expenditure, it raises questions about the device’s overall value compared to other options.
It’s plausible that Samsung doesn’t include an S Pen with the Galaxy Z Folds because they lack a built-in slot, which would require providing a case for carrying the stylus. However, this might not be a valid excuse for selling phones in a nearly empty box with an $1800 price tag.
Samsung’s next Galaxy Z Fold is likely to draw inspiration from the OnePlus Open and other foldable devices by incorporating features like a properly sized cover display and enhanced cameras. I also hope that the company takes cues from the OnePlus Open’s packaging and realizes that not every accessory needs to be a separate purchase, especially when they’re already charging a premium for the device compared to some of their competitors.