Future OnePlus Phones Will Steal This Controversial iPhone Feature

OnePlus is about to abandon the iconic Alert slider for a multi-functional operation button. This change marks a major shift in OnePlus brand image, as the Alert slider stands out among Android phones.

OnePlus co-founder and CEO Pete Lau announced this new action button in an article on the OnePlus forum. He explained that the widely criticized OnePlus 10T cancelled the Alert slider, forcing the OnePlus team to rethink the importance of the feature. OnePlus users don’t want to lose this feature—in fact, they want it to be improved.

"Let me customize the Alert slider" is one of the "most common requests" OnePlus receives from customers. Lau believes that the problem is that the three-speed hardware switch has some limitations in programmability. You can't use a fixed switch as a instantaneous switch—the button provides more customizability.

Of course, the button is a less elegant solution for controlling the audio mode. For example, you can't tell at a glance whether your phone is silent. iPhone users like me have been facing this problem since the iPhone 15 Pro introduced the multi-function button to replace traditional silent switches in 2023.

"But the truth is: Although I really like the Alert slider, I've been asking myself the same question. Can it do more? It's iconic, but it's a huge hardware piece just to switch sound profiles. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I asked this question many times to our product team because I believe we can do it better... Today's smartphones aren't just tools full of industry-leading specs (although we've done that). They are smart companions. The new smart buttons are designed for the future and it provides a more personalized experience."

Apparently, OnePlus is following Apple's emulation. This is nothing new to OnePlus or its sister company Oppo. Both brands have unique brand identity, but they never shy away from Apple-style design or marketing. (The Nothing smartphone brand, founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, is also a follower of Apple's philosophy.)

I'm not an avid iPhone fan, and I don't care if one company draws ideas from another. In fact, I'd like to argue that OnePlus regularly improves the concept of Apple. The operation slider is a great example – OnePlus implementation is a three-speed slider that separates the ringtone from the full silent mode, which is much more elegant than Apple’s older two-speed silent switch. If OnePlus is in the right direction, it will improve Apple's operation button concept.

Unfortunately, we don't know all the details yet. Pete Lau only says that the action button will be customizable and provide audio switching for those in need. We don't even know if it supports customization for every application.

Related##### How to get your iPhone action button to perform different actions in different applications

The Get Current Application action can make the action button more general.

Post 3 More easily, the forum posts that announced this change were very detailed and thoughtful. It also provides customers with a place to discuss the Alert slider or share feedback with Pete Lau. While I don't expect OnePlus to overturn its decision, I appreciate the company's willingness to communicate directly with fans - something Apple, Google and Samsung are all keen to avoid.

As for my personal feelings - well, I am an iPhone user, so I sympathize with OnePlus users. The multi-function operation button is cool, but it is not a replacement for the tactile mute switch. I understand that most people just set the switch to ringtone off and then never touch it again, so the multifunction button may offer a wider range of appeal and usability, but I prefer the old-fashioned audio switch.

The OnePlus operating button may debut on this year's 13T smartphone. Note that Pete Lau uses "smart buttons" instead of "operation buttons"; I'm not sure if this is an official term, as Lau uses lowercase rather than processing it like a proper noun.

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