The foldable smartphone market is heating up as more manufacturers compete to make the best device. The OnePlus Open and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 are among them. Both high-end phones bring the future of smartphones right into your hands, but which one truly delivers? Let’s break it down.
Specs overview: Galaxy Z Fold 6 Vs Honor Magic V3
| Images: |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Component | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 | OnePlus Open |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB, no card slot | 512 GB / 1 TB, no card slot |
| Display | 7.6 inches, 2176 x 1812 pixels, 120Hz | 7.82 inches, 2268 x 2440 pixels, 120Hz |
| Cameras | Main: 50 MP (wide), 12 MP (telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide); Selfie: 4 MP (under display), 10 MP (cover camera) | Main: 48 MP (wide), 64 MP (telephoto), 48 MP (ultrawide); Selfie: 32 MP (cover camera), 20 MP (inner camera) |
| Battery | 4400 mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless | 4805 mAh, 67W wired, 100% in 42 minutes |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E/7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 3.2 | Wi-Fi 6E/7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 3.1 |
| Price | $1,899 | $1,199 |
Design
Design is everything in foldables because it shapes how we use them. The OnePlus Open stands out with a 5.8mm unfolded body and weighs 239g. When folded, there’s a Ceramic Guard glass on the front display and a flexible plastic on the inner screen when unfolded. The back is either glass or eco-leather, depending on the model you buy, and the frame is made from aluminum.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is slightly thinner, at 5.6mm when unfolded. It uses an aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the exterior. It sticks to the brand’s well-loved design formula, and weighs the same as the OnePlus phone. But the OnePlus Open has a 245g variant.
Frankly, Samsung’s phone looks more premium. But I love the Open’s design for its rounded edges. They’re less likely to dig into your hand or snag on pockets compared to the Fold 6’s boxy appearance. That said, no one spends over one thousand dollars on a phone for it to look like just another midrange or budget phone. So, it really comes down to personal preference.
The Z Fold 6 has the edge in IP rating. With its IP48, it’s protected from both dust and water. The “4” means it can block out particles bigger than 1mm, and the “8” means it can handle being underwater for up to 30 minutes. On the other hand, the OnePlus Open is rated IPX4. It can handle splashes from any direction, but that’s about it. It’s not fully waterproof, so you’ll want to keep it away from any serious water exposure.
Display
The real showstoppers on both phones are the displays. The OnePlus Open’s display is 7.8 inches and has 2268 x 2440 pixels resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. On the outside, the cover display is 6.3 inches, also with 1116 x 2484 pixels and 120Hz refresh rate.
On the Fold side, Samsung’s phone delivers 2176 x 1812 resolution with a similar 120Hz refresh rate. The outer display is also 6.2 inches and keeps the familiar AMOLED quality.
Though they both have excellent visuals, The OnePlus Open leads in brightness, with a peak 2800 nits, making it easier to use in direct sunlight compared to Fold 6’s 1200 nits. Both phones share solid color accuracy with 1 billion colors and Dolby Vision support.
Performance
Both foldables are built to handle anything you throw at them. But the Z Fold 6 has the more recent processor. It uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The OnePlus Open runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, paired with 16GB RAM. Storage options include 512GB or 1TB variants. I’d hoped that the Open 2 would bring more storage variations, but OnePlus made it clear that’s not happening until 2025. However, they launched the Apex Edition of the phone recently and I have mixed reactions.
Admitted, it’s an elegant model that comes in Crimson Shadow color and faux leather. OnePlus has also limited storage to 16GB RAM and 1TB so that you get the maximum performance and storage available without seeking expandable options. The added VIP Mode turns off the cameras, microphone, and location services to keep your activities private, and there are some other minor upgrades.
Other than those, the core hardware, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, remains the same as the regular OnePlus Open. Now, you just be the judge of whether it justifies the $700 increment.
Meanwhile, the Z Fold 6 offers one more storage option that the OnePlus Open doesn’t, which is 256GB. RAM size is limited to 12GB, but overall, performance is nearly neck and neck. You’re still getting flagship-level experience here too.
Battery
I’m wary of foldables because they often come with compromises in battery life. Surprisingly, these phones beat the norm. The Open phone offers a slightly larger 4805mAh battery compared to the 4400mAh battery on the Fold 6. Plus, it charges faster with 67W wired charging. Sadly, it doesn’t support wireless charging.
The Z Fold 6 tops out at 45W wired and 25W wireless. It’s obvious which phone lasts longer and recharges faster. But I’d go with Samsung’s phone because of the variety of charging options.
There is one issue to consider on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It has experienced paint peeling problems recently, which Samsung blames on third-party chargers. So prepare yourself for potential extra costs and inconvenience if you choose the Galaxy Z Fold 6. And no, your Samsung Care+ subscription or warranty doesn’t cover it because they’ll treat it as cosmetic damage.
Getting the official Samsung charger may be tricky in less popular regions. Of course, you could save yourself the trouble by ordering from Samsung’s website. But that depends on the brand’s support in your location. As someone who’s had to ship accessories from abroad because of limited local availability, it really isn’t worth it if you consider the delays and costs.
Cameras
The OnePlus Open easily goes head-to-head with the Z Fold 6. You’ve got a 48MP wide lens, a 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide lens. On top of that, there’s a 20MP selfie camera inside and a 32MP one on the cover.
The Z Fold 6, on the other hand, has a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. For selfies, it has a 10MP cover camera and a 4MP under-display camera inside.
You’re going to get more detailed zoom shots on the OnePlus Open’s 64MP telephoto camera compared to the Z Fold 6’s 12MP telephoto. Both phones have the same 3x optical zoom, but with higher resolution on the OnePlus, your zoomed-in shots should come out sharper. Both phones can shoot in 4K with optical image stabilization.
Software and features
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 has the edge with Android 14, running One UI 6.1.1. Also, there’s the promise of up to seven years of major Android upgrades and security patches, same as the S24 series. Few phones have this privilege, and it’s great as you won’t be upgrading your device because it’s not getting the latest software.
In contrast, OnePlus will give you four years of software updates. That’s usually what Samsung does for most of its phones. So, for a flagship phone, four years doesn’t cut it after seeing the standard Samsung has set for the Z Fold 6 series.
On the other hand, the OnePlus Open ships with Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, and OxygenOS 14. Frankly, OxygenOS 14 doesn’t introduce any major new features or changes compared to its predecessor, OxygenOS 13. The interface closely resembles ColorOS, with no significant alterations in design or usability.
There have been updates to the Always-On Display (AOD), where OnePlus adds the Carbon Footprint AOD style. It shows you how walking 10,000 steps or more impacts the environment. Additionally, there are new Aquamorphic ringtones and notification sounds.
Let’s not forget that the Z Fold 6 supports Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI, the only other AI worth having on your smartphone besides Google’s Gemini. With Galaxy AI, you can use Chat Assist, Live Translation, and Interpreter, among other features. The OnePlus Open cants compete with these capabilities, but it does have some lightweight AI of its own. For instance, the Extract content tool allows you to copy text from screenshots directly. The Smart Cutout feature isolates subjects from photos. Then there’s Auto Pixelation that automatically hides sensitive information before sharing.
Related: Try Out Samsung’s Galaxy AI On Any Android Phone
Which phone should you buy?
The verdict is a simple one, really. The Z Fold 6 screams longevity, from the IP48 rating to the AI features and real-time translation. Samsung’s commitment to seven years of software updates makes it even better.
But if you’re looking to save money while still getting a powerful foldable, the OnePlus Open delivers excellent value. You’ll get faster charging and more RAM right out of the box for less.
