Thanks OnePlus, now all 2024 foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6, will have this problem،
As if phone makers don't already have enough problems with foldable phones: hinge, screen, form factor, weight, durability, price (as in: “Can we somehow overrate this thing even more?”)…
99% of those who dare to produce foldable phones They have 99 problems and now they have one more to solve: it's called competition.
Well, thank you, OnePlus!
Remember how you felt when you returned to school (or is it not “back” for you yet?) when this particular child politely reminded the teacher that he had homework assigned? It is Exactly how Samsung, Google, and pretty much every other manufacturer in the foldable industry have felt in recent months. Since the end of October 2023, to be precise – when the OnePlus Open debuted. You see, the kid in the story who refuses to keep up with the rest of the class when no one else has done his homework… is OnePlus.
We're not talking about the OnePlus Open's big, bright displays, its exceptionally user-friendly and multitasking interface, its excellent overall performance, its reliable battery, or its lightweight design with a sturdy hinge built to withstand a million folds… (Wow, imagine how I would paint it OnePlus Open if they paid me on the side!)
None of the above matters (it does, but not for the purposes of this article), it's the camera that's the biggest star of the deal. OnePlus Open. Its main camera is so good that it's comparable to non-foldable phones. A quick note: Foldable phones are complex creatures, and as such they rarely have space to hold too much. This is why compromises must be made in certain areas.
That's why it's simply hilarious how the 10x digital zoom photos of the OnePlus Open of its 3x zoom telephoto lens rivals the Galaxy S23 Ultra and its dedicated 10x optical zoom camera.
It seems like the rest of the foldables haven't done their homework when it comes to cameras, and while they've done well so far, 2024 and beyond could become difficult for them, no brand wants to be challenged.
Even if you don't take photos and don't care about mobile photography, the OnePlus Open's camera performance is something you should think about day and night.
No seriously. I will tell you why.
A Quick Competition Check (And Some Divinations)
First, let's take a quick look at the state of foldable phones and their cameras:
Google Pixel Fold
What's not cool is that Fold packs lower-tier cameras than 2022's Pixel 7 Pro. For example, the Fold's 48MP main shooter sports a smaller sensor than the Pixel 7 Pro (a smaller sensor generally means photos may be of slightly lower quality, especially at night). The Fold also uses a 10.8 MP 5X zoom telephoto lens and this also has a smaller sensor size than the 48 MP 5X zoom lens on the Pixel 7 Pro (sizes are 1/3.1″ vs. 1/2.55″).
If it's a relief, the ultra-wide cameras are similar in size on the Pixel folding And Pixel 7 Pro. Sorry, don't relax yet: they are actually different sensors and the Pixel folding doesn't get as wide as the 7 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy Fold 5
In total, here are the cameras of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (minus the selfie cameras): a main shooter (50MP), the obligatory ultra-wide (12MP) and finally, the 3x telephoto lens (10MP).
Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold 3
The super sexy Mi Mix Fold 3 almost didn't make this list. This is a China-exclusive device, but the upcoming Mi Mix Fold 4 could, however, see a global release this time around. So, let's throw it in!
The Mi Mix Fold 3 has a quad camera on the back, designed in collaboration with Leica: a 50 MP main camera, a 10 MP telephoto lens, another 10 MP telephoto lens (periscope for greater zoom) and a 12 MP super wide angle with OIS (optical image stabilization).
Here's the telling part: the upcoming Pixel Fold 2, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 better straighten out because I don't see any scenario where the The camera on the OnePlus Open 2 will be a disappointment at all.
OnePlus Open
“Where are Honor and its Honor Magic V2? Damn, relax, we can't fit everything into one article!
The demoralizing moral of the story (ending on a good note)
So, if the OnePlus Open can do such an amazing job in its foldable debut, why can't Samsung or Google, for crying out loud, do it too? One has been playing poker for five years straight, the other has all the money in the world.
It's funny when you think about how a “lesser” brand is able to outperform the giants. That's fair enough – Samsung and Google may have simply lost their momentum. They might actually be unable to fit a top-notch camera setup into their foldables.
Or – this is a bit demoralizing, actually – they can, but concisely decide not to.
That's why the OnePlus Open's camera performance is essential, even if mobile photography isn't essential for you. The fact that they can do this means that others will no longer have any excuses and will instead be able to engage in cutting-edge innovation as they should.
The days of 10MP telephoto lenses or main camera sensors of 2022 are over.
The foldable game is changed. It’s no longer just about the hinge.
In a broader perspective, it is no longer about “folding” as a phenomenon. It's all about being a great phone. And for many, “the best phone” often means “having the best camera.”
Well, thank you, OnePlus!
