Highlights

• OnePlus Open redefines camera technology with a 48MP Sony sensor and 64MP periscope-style telephoto lens.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 excels in storage options, offering up to 1TB.
• OnePlus Open features a robust design with a cobalt molybdenum and titanium alloy chassis.
• Both phones offer unique software experiences, with OxygenOS emphasizing quick updates and One UI focusing on customisation.

The foldable smartphone arena is heating up, and OnePlus and Samsung are two brands that are giving us a glimpse into the future of mobile technology.

The OnePlus Open and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 stand as flagships, representing the pinnacle of each company’s foldable tech.

Let’s dive deep into the intricate specs, design, display, internal hardware, camera, and software features to offer you a comprehensive comparison.

Credit for the testing goes to Digital Trends for this comparison article.

Key Specs

OnePlus Open: Rs 1,39,999

• Processor: Qualcomm 8 Gen 2 chip
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: Up to 512GB
• Battery: 4,805 mAh
• Camera: 48MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP periscope-style telephoto
• Display: 6.3-inch 2K outer, 7.82-inch inner
• Fast Charging: 67W
• IP Certification: IPX4

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Rs 1,54,990

• Processor: Qualcomm 8 Gen 2 chip
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: Up to 1TB
• Battery: 4,400 mAh
• Camera: 50MP telephoto, 10MP ultrawide, 10MP secondary telephoto
• Display: 6.2-inch HD+ outer, 7.6-inch inner
• Fast Charging: 25W
• IP Certification: IPX8

Design

One of the noteworthy design elements of Samsung’s Z Fold 5 is its improved hinge and foldable screen, eliminating the display wedge issue that was a flaw in earlier models.

OnePlus, on its first attempt, comes with a gapless design that leaves no room for dirt or liquid intrusion.

While both phones boast a metal and glass foundation, OnePlus steps up the game with a cobalt molybdenum and titanium alloy chassis, which is said to be four times stronger than surgical-grade stainless steel.

Verdict: OnePlus leads with more robust materials and a gapless design in its first attempt.

Display

Both phones use Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) technology, but diverge from there. Samsung sticks to Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus, whereas OnePlus goes with Ceramic Guard, claimed to be 20% stronger.

The OnePlus Open also offers better display resolution and natural 20:9 aspect ratio for the outer screen, addressing issues of odd app scaling seen in Samsung’s tall aspect ratio display.

Verdict: OnePlus Open offers better screen durability and display experience.

Internal Hardware

While both phones run on Qualcomm’s 8 Gen 2 chip, OnePlus Open offers a higher 16GB RAM compared to Samsung’s 12GB.

Samsung takes the cake in storage capacity with up to 1TB, while OnePlus tops at 512GB.

However, OnePlus has a bigger 4,805 mAh battery with 67W fast charging, overshadowing Samsung’s 4,400 mAh battery and 25W fast charging.

Verdict: OnePlus takes the edge in performance, but Samsung wins on storage.

Camera

Oneplus has gone to great lengths to redefine camera capabilities in foldable smartphones.

The OnePlus Open introduces an entirely new 48MP Sony sensor that employs a reimagined pixel-level photodiode architecture.

Complementing the primary sensor is another 48MP electronically stabilized camera dedicated to ultrawide shots.

The star of the show is the 64MP periscope-style telephoto lens.

Despite the phone’s slim profile, OnePlus managed to incorporate a telephoto lens that offers a 3x optical zoom range, a sensor-based 6x zoom output, and a staggering 120x Ultra Res digital zoom.

In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers a 50MP telephoto lens, accompanied by a 10MP ultrawide sensor and another 10MP telephoto camera.

While these are commendable specs, the telephoto camera offers only a 3x optical zoom and a 30x digital zoom.

Unlike the folded lens system in the OnePlus Open, the Z Fold 5’s regular telephoto lens doesn’t promise the same zoom output. It

Verdict: OnePlus Open outclasses Samsung Z Fold 5 with more advanced camera technology.

Software

Software plays a pivotal role in shaping the user experience on any smartphone, and foldable phones are no exception.

OnePlus’ OxygenOS has been praised for its quick updates and community-driven approach. Users appreciate its simplified yet highly customizable interface.

In the case of the OnePlus Open, OxygenOS allows up to three apps to run concurrently on the split-screen, maximizing the utility of the phone’s larger inner display.

Even though it offers fewer system-level tweaks than Samsung’s One UI, OxygenOS has been quicker to fix software bugs, largely owing to an active community of developers and users.

Samsung’s One UI, on the other hand, is a powerhouse of features and system-level customizations.

The Samsung Labs toolkit and Good Lock modules allow users to tailor the UI according to their preferences in a way that OxygenOS doesn’t permit.

One UI on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 also supports DeX, which transforms your smartphone into a ChromeOS-like experience when connected to a larger screen.

This is particularly beneficial for power users who want to turn their phone into a makeshift workstation.

Verdict: Preference depends on whether you value customization (OxygenOS) or productivity (One UI).

Final Verdict

The OnePlus Open and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 are two formidable players in the foldable phone market.

While both have their merits and demerits, the OnePlus Open seems to take a slight edge in design, display, and camera departments.

On the other hand, Samsung excels in storage capacity and software features. Ultimately, the choice boils down to what you value more in a foldable smartphone.

FAQs

How does the camera of the OnePlus Open differ from the Galaxy Z Fold 5?

The OnePlus Open features a 48MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP periscope-style telephoto lens. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a 50MP telephoto, 10MP ultrawide, and another 10MP secondary telephoto camera.

Which phone offers better storage options?

While both phones use the Qualcomm 8 Gen 2 chip, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 provides up to 1TB storage, whereas OnePlus Open tops at 512GB.

What sets the design of OnePlus Open apart?

OnePlus Open utilizes a cobalt molybdenum and titanium alloy chassis, which is claimed to be four times stronger than surgical-grade stainless steel, and offers a gapless design.

How do the software experiences differ?

OxygenOS on the OnePlus Open is community-driven and fixes bugs quickly. Samsung’s One UI offers a plethora of customization options and supports DeX for a desktop-like experience.