OnePlus alert slider could be just for premium phones

TL;DR

• A leaker suggests the OnePlus alert slider might appear on fewer phones going forward.
• OnePlus could reserve the feature for premium phones only.
• The leaker also suggests premium Oppo phones could get the much-loved slider.

Earlier today, we saw a OnePlus leak of what appears to be the OnePlus 10 (or possibly the OnePlus 10T). Whatever its name, the render looked suspicious because it was missing an integral feature: the alert slider.

According to Yogesh Brar — the source of those render leaks — this is by design. Brar claims that OnePlus is phasing out the inclusion of the alert slider on all but its most premium devices.

Check out Brar’s tweet on the matter:

Nord 2T was the last phone to carry an alert slider, now it will be mostly seen on Pro models and some Oppo flagships.

Interestingly, Brar also claims that sister brand Oppo could start releasing flagship phones with the OnePlus alert slider on board.

This would be a huge shift as the alert slider is a big aspect of OnePlus’ hardware identity. To simultaneously scale back the inclusion of that feature and give it out to other non-OnePlus phones is quite significant.

Of course, this is just a rumor for now. We’ll need to wait and see how things pan out before we jump to too many conclusions. If it does come to pass, though, it will likely deeply sadden long-time OnePlus fans as another bit of the brand’s identity chips away.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7orrDq6ainJGqwam70aKrsmaTpLpwu82ep6Wto2KurbHRrWSspJmZsrN5kmpubmxha3w%3D