Future OnePlus phones could feature an iPhone-like action button

OnePlus is planning to make big changes to its product lineup this year. There are reports that the company may not launch the OnePlus Open 2 foldable smartphone this year. This is despite OPPO going full steam ahead with the Find N5 foldable handset. Now, a new leak suggests that OnePlus might eliminate an important feature that it has offered on all its smartphones since 2015. As suggested by Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, OnePlus could replace the alert slider on its future smartphones with an iPhone-like action button.

OnePlus is considering replacing its iconic alert slider with an iPhone-like customizable Action Button

OnePlus first offered the three-stage Alert Slider physical button on the OnePlus 2 flagship in 2015. Ever since, it has been an iconic part of all the OnePlus smartphones. However, it seems the company plans to ditch it in favor of an iPhone-like Action Button if we believe the new rumor. According to the tipster, OnePlus might call the new physical button the “Magic Cube Key.”

It’s worth mentioning that Digital Chat Station recently suggested that OPPO could also ditch the Alert Slider button on its upcoming flagships. In March, OPPO may launch the Find X8 Ultra model, which could become the brand’s first flagship to replace the Alert Slider with an Action Button.

You could customize the button to perform different tasks

The machine-translated version of Digital Chat Station’s post suggests that the OnePlus Action Button will be fully customizable, just like the one on the iPhones. Alert Slider on the current OnePlus phones allows you to switch between “Silent”, “Vibrate”, and “Ringer”. However, you will be able to do a lot of things with the Action Button.

You will be able to customize it to mute the phone with one tap, open the camera, turn on the flashlight, capture a screenshot, or open an app. The change will provide enhanced versatility and functionality, although at the cost of a cherished brand hallmark.

As of now, it’s not clear which OnePlus smartphone will be the first to flaunt the new iPhone-like Action Button. If the reports hold true, the brand could launch a potential OnePlus “mini” or a OnePlus 13T model in March. However, those likely don’t qualify as a flagship offering. These do not expect to replace the Alert Slider with a new customizable button. This means either OPPO or Realme could be the first to offer the new Action Button on their upcoming flagship phones.