For months, tech enthusiasts anticipated the OnePlus Open 2, a foldable phone expected to rival the Oppo Find N5 and potentially launch in the U.S. in 2025. However, OnePlus recently confirmed it won’t release a new foldable this year, leaving a gap in the market and raising questions about the future of OnePlus foldables.
OnePlus Officially Confirms No Open 2 in 2025
OnePlus and Oppo, both formerly part of BBK Electronics, partnered in 2021, collaborating on software and hardware. Acknowledging the anticipation surrounding a OnePlus foldable similar to the Oppo Find N5, OnePlus stated in a blog post that it “made the decision not to release a foldable this year.” This announcement definitively cancels the Open 2, leaving consumers without a compact foldable competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 or Motorola Razr Plus. OnePlus claims this “pause” and “recalibration” is the right approach, allowing Oppo to lead in the foldable space.
The Uncertain Future of the OnePlus Open 2
With the Open 2 cancelled, the likelihood of a rebranded Find N5 launching as an Open 2 in 2026 diminishes. Such a device would be technologically outdated. While OnePlus claims it’s merely pausing development, the delay could be longer. The Oppo Find N3, released alongside the OnePlus Open in late 2023, remained on the market throughout 2024. OnePlus only released a minor refresh, the Open Apex Edition, mid-2024. The upcoming Find N5, touted as the “world’s thinnest foldable phone,” might carry Oppo’s foldable ambitions into 2026. Given the previous collaboration on the Find N3/Open, a future OnePlus foldable might not arrive until late 2026, potentially even being named the OnePlus Open 3.
Negative Implications for the Foldable Market
The cancellation of the Open 2 limits consumer choice, especially in the U.S., where the foldable market consists primarily of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Limited competition hinders price reductions and innovation. While OnePlus positions the Open Apex Edition as its 2025 foldable offering, it’s essentially a refreshed 2023 model. This situation also impacts overall foldable adoption. Counterpoint Research data from late 2024 indicated a slight decrease in global foldable shipments, with Samsung dominating the market.
This decline aligns with IDC’s 2024 forecast, which highlighted the challenges of high prices and longevity concerns. Despite these challenges, brands like Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, and Tecno are finding success with their respective foldable offerings. OnePlus’s decision might cause them to fall behind, especially in the U.S. market, where these alternative foldables are not readily available. This negatively impacts consumers, particularly in regions where choices are limited.
OnePlus’s 2025 Outlook and the “What Could Have Been”
Despite the Open 2’s cancellation, OnePlus’s 2025 looks promising, thanks to the well-received OnePlus 13 and 13R. These competitively priced phones offer strong competition to devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 series. However, the Open 2’s potential remains. With the right strategy, it could have challenged the established players in the foldable market. Unfortunately, the OnePlus Open 2 now represents a missed opportunity.
