Oppo is set to redefine the boundaries of foldable smartphone design with its upcoming Find N5, pushing the limits of engineering to create what might be the world’s thinnest foldable device. The groundbreaking smartphone, expected to arrive in Western markets as the OnePlus Open 2, boasts a thickness comparable to just a few millimeters when unfolded.
Find series product manager Zhou Yibao has captured the tech world’s attention with striking visual comparisons that demonstrate the device’s remarkable thinness. According to recent photographs shared on Weibo, China’s popular social network, the unfolded Find N5 approaches the physical limitations imposed by its USB-C port, which requires a minimum thickness of 2.6mm. The device appears to measure approximately 4mm when opened, making it noticeably slimmer than the current record holder, Honor’s Magic V3, which measures 4.35mm.
To put this engineering feat into perspective, Zhou demonstrated the phone’s svelte profile through everyday object comparisons. The Find N5’s thickness matches two Chinese yuan coins stacked together, four ID cards, or precisely 39 sticky notes. Perhaps most impressively, when placed alongside an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which measures 8.25mm, the unfolded Find N5 appears roughly half as thick.
Beyond its ultra-slim design, Oppo has made significant strides in durability and water resistance. The Find N5 carries an IPX9 rating, indicating exceptional protection against high-temperature and high-pressure water jets. The device also boasts IPX8 certification for water submersion and IPX6 for resistance to lower temperature water jets. While the ‘X’ in the rating indicates that official dust protection certification is pending, these water resistance achievements represent a significant advance in foldable phone durability.
The engineering accomplishments of the Find N5 follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Find N3 (with the N4 designation skipped due to its association with death in Chinese culture). The previous model was successfully marketed in Western markets as the OnePlus Open, establishing a pattern that suggests the Find N5 will likely follow suit as the OnePlus Open 2 in international markets.
This strategic approach to market expansion positions Oppo to compete directly with established players in the foldable segment, particularly Samsung and Google. The combination of innovative design, durability features, and proven market strategy suggests that Oppo is preparing to make a significant impact in the premium foldable smartphone market.
The timing of this announcement is particularly significant as it coincides with recent developments in the broader smartphone industry. This month’s release of the OnePlus 13, which achieved an IP69 rating including dust protection, demonstrates the company’s commitment to pushing technical boundaries across its product lines.
The Find N5’s imminent launch in China next month will be closely watched by industry observers and consumers alike. The device represents not just an incremental improvement in foldable phone design, but potentially a paradigm shift in what’s possible with current manufacturing technology. The achievement of creating a foldable device barely thicker than its own charging port while maintaining durability and functionality marks a significant milestone in smartphone evolution.
As the global smartphone market continues to mature, innovations like the Find N5 suggest that the future of mobile devices may lie in pushing the boundaries of form factor and durability rather than just internal specifications. With its groundbreaking design and impressive technical specifications, the Oppo Find N5 appears poised to challenge existing assumptions about foldable phone design and potentially reshape consumer expectations for the category.
The tech community eagerly awaits the device’s official launch, which will reveal whether these impressive specifications translate into a compelling user experience that could help accelerate the adoption of foldable smartphones in mainstream markets.
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