Since the OnePlus 2, nearly every OnePlus smartphone has featured an alert slider—a physical switch for quickly toggling sound profiles, except for the entry-level models in the Nord series. When the brand omitted it from the OnePlus 10T, a feature that had become synonymous with OnePlus, many users were disappointed. Responding to the backlash, OnePlus reinstated the alert slider in its next-generation flagship.
Now, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, via a community post published on Monday, has confirmed that the brand is done with the alert slider. It will be replaced by a button, similar to the one on the iPhone 16.
For Lau, the alert slider has been one of his favorite features of OnePlus smartphones, as “It’s simple, intuitive, and just works.” It was even expanded to OPPO smartphones, with Lau stating, “It isn’t just a feature; it is a symbol of thoughtful design.”
However, the brand has been brainstorming ways to make the alert slider more functional. Since it is a physical switch and a relatively large piece of hardware, there isn’t much that can be done to enhance its capabilities.
OnePlus has been internally debating how to evolve the action button for the past three years, and the company has now decided to replace the alert slider with a smart and customisable button. Unlike the alert slider, which is locked to a physical position and cannot be reprogrammed, this new button will offer greater flexibility.
According to Lau, the smart button is designed for the future, delivering a more personalized experience. It is said to better utilise the device’s space while still allowing users to switch between different sound profiles without waking up the phone.
Lau further acknowledges that “this is a big change, and I know it’s not easy to accept. The alert slider holds a special place in the hearts of our community, and we don’t take that lightly.” However, he also emphasises that the smart button is the right step forward: “We’re not just replacing the alert slider; we’re evolving it—keeping the best parts while unlocking new possibilities that weren’t possible before.”
Story continues below this ad
Community comments on this post suggest that OnePlus should retain the alert slider while also introducing an additional button. However, this seems unlikely at the moment.
For those who still value the alert slider, devices like the OnePlus Nord 4 (review), OnePlus 13 (review), and even the recently introduced OPPO Find N5 are likely to be among the last smartphones to feature it.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
اكتشاف المزيد من مباشر التقنية
اشترك للحصول على أحدث التدوينات المرسلة إلى بريدك الإلكتروني.
