OnePlus Open Apex Edition review

Security is an apex priority

₹ 1,49,999

1TB with 16GB RAM

Our favourite foldable from last year continues to be the best in 2024 as well and no, that’s not because it comes in a crimson red colourway but because OnePlus Open’s software smarts and hardware chops blend so harmoniously that the only thing we can nitpick about is the camera.

The OnePlus Open Apex Edition is the same smartphone but with a new paint coat and a new dedicated security chip. This new security chip brings a dedicated VIP Mode to the OnePlus Open Apex Edition and the VIP Mode essentially blocks your camera and microphone access across the smartphone. That means no app will be able to access your camera and microphone in the VIP Mode which you can toggle by moving the Alert Slider to the very top. The new Alert Slider also has an orange accent to compliment the Crimson Shadow colourway, shifting between ring, vibrate and VIP Mode.

Coming back to the OnePlus Open Apex Edition’s crowning feature, the security chip. OnePlus says internally the foundation of the security is based on independent storage and physical isolation of your private information and biometric data. The term ‘private information’ can mean anything but we hope it’s the stored password and keyboard information on the device. Additionally, this new security chipset is, according to OnePlus, internationally recognized with CC EAL5+ security certification while the NFC security chipset is CC EAL6+ and EMVCo certified.

If you’re feeling clever and thinking about airplane mode to be your bodyguard, the VIP mode is more methodological in its approach. Calls and messages still come through but your phone will prompt you to turn off VIP mode to access the microphone for the call. It doesn’t let apps override the block either so technically you’re safe from prying ears. We would love to have this feature in future OnePlus devices as well since there have been many complaints about ads popping up on Instagram and other platforms after someone has uttered a topic to someone in person.

So far the VIP Mode only limits access to camera and microphone but it should also limit access to photos and location from apps, or block certain apps from access anything at all for that time when you're on VIP Mode. Currently you cannot add more things to block inside the VIP Mode so as it stands, cutting access to camera and microphone is the first step.

If you want to know more about the OnePlus Open smartphone, click here to read the full review of the phone.