Just a month ago, Pete Lau, co-founder of OnePlus, announced the discontinuation of the beloved two-stage alert slider feature. Lau emphasized the company’s desire to adopt a more adaptable design, leading them to favor a button format instead.
At the time of the announcement, details regarding the appearance and functionality of the new button remained under wraps. However, new information has since emerged. An executive from OnePlus recently revealed an image of the button on an upcoming device and discussed its intended purpose.
Li Jie Louis, the president of OnePlus China, has teased a photo of the much-anticipated OnePlus 13T on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. The image showcases the side profile of the phone, highlighting the new button that replaces the previous alert slider position on the device’s left edge.
The OnePlus executive indicated that the new button would maintain the core functionalities of the alert slider. Users will be able to switch between mute, vibrate, and ring sound profiles with a single press. Additionally, the button will be customizable, offering versatility similar to the Action Button found on Apple’s latest iPhone models.
The decision to eliminate the alert slider marks a significant shift for OnePlus and has triggered a wave of nostalgic responses from fans online. Nevertheless, this move aligns well with technical necessities. For instance, when the company previously eliminated the slider from the OnePlus 10T, it allowed for more internal space, accommodating additional charging pumps, better antenna technology, and a larger battery.
Shifting to a button not only conserves internal space but also enhances versatility. This is evident as Apple replaced its own slider with a multifunctional button that allows for greater control. Although the Alert Slider on OnePlus devices had limited capabilities, a customizable physical button could cater to multiple functions through different types of presses, allowing users to define memorable tasks.
The multifunction button is set to debut with the upcoming OnePlus 13T, a compact flagship Android phone. This device will reportedly feature Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, a crisp 120Hz OLED display, an impressive 6,200mAh battery with support for 80W charging, and a robust camera system led by 50-megapixel sensors.
