OnePlus has been acclaimed for its distinctive design features over the years, especially the Alert Slider, which has been a hallmark of its flagship phones from the OnePlus 2 onwards. Yet, the latest rumors indicate that the company may be going with a major departure from the same by swapping this feature with a new customizable button.
The end of the Alert Slider?
As per the popular tipster Digital Chat Station, OnePlus may add a new feature in the form of the “Magic Cube key.” This button is likely to be a multifunctional substitute for the Alert Slider. Digital Chat Station even posted a photo of this new button with the Chinese text accompanying it that means “Magic Cube” or “Rubik’s Cube” key, suggesting its versatility.
In contrast to the present three-stage switch that enables users to switch between “Silent,” “Vibrate,” and “Ringer” modes without opening their device, the potential Magic Cube key should provide greater functionality. Though it continues to be able to mute the phone with one tap, it is also programmable for other functions like opening the camera, activating the flashlight, taking screenshots, or launching certain apps.
A move towards Apple’s Action Button
If this leak comes true, OnePlus may be borrowing a page from Apple’s Action Button, which was introduced on newer iPhone models. The Magic Cube key, however, may have the advantage of allowing users to assign multiple shortcuts instead of having only one function. This change reflects OnePlus’s continued push to innovate while simplifying its smartphone design.
A longstanding feature at risk
The Alert Slider has been a signature feature of OnePlus phones for almost a decade, even showing up on some OPPO phones. OnePlus dropped it for a brief moment with the OnePlus 10T in 2022 before reinstating it in the OnePlus 11. Now, the company may be considering cutting it altogether, another significant change to its design philosophy.
This shift occurs as part of other significant OnePlus releases in 2024, such as the affirmation that OnePlus will not have a OnePlus Open 2 in 2025 while OPPO further advances its Find N5 lineup. If the Magic Cube key takes the place of the Alert Slider, this may indicate OnePlus’s general transition toward more flexible, software-based customization instead of depending on hardware-specific functionality.
What this means for OnePlus users
For OnePlus fans, the removal of the Alert Slider might prove to be a bitter pill to swallow. The feature has been one of the few distinguishing factors between OnePlus smartphones and other competing handsets. While the new customizable button holds some promise for extended functionality, only time will tell if users will welcome this change or bemoan the loss of a feature they’ve come to appreciate.