The OnePlus Open was one of the best foldables on the market when it launched. Its large displays and solid cameras were ahead of the competition, leading our colleagues at TechRadar to call it “the only foldable phone that doesn’t compromise.” So, how do you improve on what was already an excellent foldable? You put Windows 11 on it, of course.
Okay, that may be taking things too far, but Windows 11 does look incredible on a folding phone. I can say that with confidence because Kevin Shroff managed to get Windows 11 to run on the OnePlus Open.
To get Windows 11 onto the OnePlus Open, Shroff removed Android entirely, dimmed the external display, and focused on the large folding screen.
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The project uses a combination of Windows 11, OEM firmware, and custom components. An impressive number of features work considering the nature of the setup.
Getting Windows 11 to boot at all on the OnePlus Open is a feat, but Shroff got touch to work as well.
Several key functions do not work, however, including audio, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity. Even charging and Wi-Fi are listed as “in progress” on the project’s GitHub page.
With projects like this, it’s more about seeing how far limits can be pushed than creating a daily driver. While I’d love a dual-booting foldable that can run Android and Windows 11, that’s not realistic.
What could have been with Windows Phone
Whenever I see a phone forced to run Windows, my mind jumps to thoughts of Windows Phone. I imagine that’s the case for many long-time readers here at Windows Central. But seeing Windows 11 on a foldable hits differently.
Windows 11 looks incredible on the nearly square inner display of the OnePlus Open. Because of folding laptops, dual screen PCs, and gaming handhelds, Windows 11 adapts well to screens with different aspect ratios.
The Windows 11 desktop almost looks built for devices like this. Compare Windows 11 on the OnePlus Open to Windows 10 on an early Lenovo X1 Fold.
Windows 11’s taskbar shrinks perfectly onto the nearly square screen of the OnePlus Open. When opened, the Start menu fills most of the screen but leaves enough room around the edges to make it clear you’re still on the desktop.
Earlier this year, we saw what could have been for the Surface Duo through the iPhone Duo. Now, a passion project illustrates how Windows 11 could have scaled to a foldable Surface Duo if Microsoft ever went in that direction.
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