OnePlus is axing the Alert Slider

10 March 2025
The brand will transition to a smarter, customizable button.

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OnePlus will Slide into oblivion

    Aierlan, 2 hours agoI had a button on a previous motorola phone before that was... moreI agree that a customizable button is very useful, but if the choice was to ditch the slider for a customizable button and vice versa, I would rather keep the slider and lose the button. I don't really have any important apps I need to access. Perhaps assigning the flashlight to the button would be more useful for me.

    I used to use a 3rd party app that would quick launch apps from a corner swipe. So that had my quick launch needs covered.

    My main criticism comes from how little difference the third button is when compared to the volume and power buttons. If they can somehow make the third button different enough, not just manipulating texture but also the height (e.g. recessed, taller), making it two-stepped (for shutter button needs), and implementing realistic haptics, then I would probably not complain. Basically, it has to be a very special button.

      Anonymous, 5 hours agoWhy all the sad posts? You'll still get the same fu... moreA button just doesn't have the same interactive feedback as a slider. One is linear, the other is lateral. The slider feels more mechanical, and emphasizes the difference in function comapred to both the volume and power function.

        NeonHD, 2 hours agoMore useful yes, but you're losing out on the interact... moreI had a button on a previous motorola phone before that was programmable to open different features. Personally used it for qr code payment which was incredibly convenient compared to opening the phone, and having to go through a couple of steps to access the payment code so personally I'd love the option to use it for that. I think the functionality is more important but each to their own. If there is better technology now available then it makes sense to use it imo rather than persisting with the same thing when others and letting others implement the new tech

          zacatak15, 4 hours agoI don't see what the big deal is? The vast majority of... more> 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯

          Hmm, I don't know about that one. What makes you think people don't change it frequently? I personally do, and I'm willing to bet that a lot of us do.

          I mean, I don't change it as often as once every hour obviously, but a few times a day sounds about right. Unless you literally stay home all day AND you live by yourself, there are obviously moments in which you will need to switch between silent and ring. Even at home, you might want to switch to silent when you're watching a movie. I can name a lot more examples.

          Also, not everyone owns a smartwatch you know.

            Aierlan, 3 hours agoNice. A button with additional functions sounds much more u... moreMore useful yes, but you're losing out on the interactive element. Because when you only care about switching between silent and ringer mode, a slider is much more satisfying to operate.

            And I don't think most people will be customizing the button, I think most will still use it as a silent/ring switch.

              F's in chat for the Alert slider

              RIP, you did not deserve to die that quickly.

                Nice. A button with additional functions sounds much more useful. Hopefully it's well implemented

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • 3iK
                  • 3 hours ago

                  This is what pushed me away from OnePlus after the 7 pro. Their are phone are like still in Beta and bug ridden updates.

                    just make the damn slider spring loaded so that the whiny minority can customize up and down to whatever they want, dont copy apple, why copy apple!???????

                    the slider is cool, I can immediately tell if it's ring or vibrate
                    there is no way to do this with a dumb button, Im not waiting for the phone to vibrate twice intermittently in morse code to tell me what I swiched it to

                      OnePlus is keeping the bad choices...

                        • V
                        • Vic
                        • nq4
                        • 4 hours ago

                        Why to always copy Apple??? Even in their stupid decisions. Why???

                          I don't see what the big deal is? The vast majority of people only use their phone in one sound mode (vibrate/silent), and changing it constantly is pretty uncommon. Before the time of smartwatches, sure, but now you don't need to hear your phone to know when you're getting a notification anyway. A multi-use button is far more useful, and it will still likely have sound profile options anyway.

                            S I R E, 6 hours agoTo everyone that's bummed out with this news/rumour, n... moreI'm one of those people too, the headphone jack should never have been allowed to be taken away from us.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • Hks
                              • 5 hours ago

                              Apple introduces smart key

                              Everyone else: we will copy that

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                                • Anonymous
                                • QZ0
                                • 5 hours ago

                                Why all the sad posts?

                                You'll still get the same functions from the new button just that the button can be also programmed to do other things so people that don't need the slider functionality can take advantage of the button.

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • pWD
                                  • 6 hours ago

                                  While others seem to really love the slider; I'm okay with this change. I've had three OnePlus phones, current one being OP11. I'm okay, if my next one wouldn't have it. Rarely use it anyway, basically only when getting a new phone and going through it, see it works. Then set it into the mode I prefer (vibration only) and then I'm not likely to touch it again anytime soon. This was never a reason why I picked their phones over others.

                                    To everyone that's bummed out with this news/rumour, now you know a fraction of the pain people like myself felt when Audio Jacks were being phased out.

                                    Now I'm with you, I love the slider too but I couldn't help it but make the comparison.

                                      I'm a huge fan of the slider, I use it everyday on my 8T and 13R (e.g. muting my phone down during a meeting) - they work flawlessly, and it's a must have feature (much better executed, than the useless one on the Apple devices).

                                      If that primitive "smart button" will be implemented in a way, that the functionality will not be hindered (short press - toggle between vibrate-mute-ring) then I will be OK with it, but I want customisation, and additional features. Otherwise the slider would be a better tool, and I will be missing its functionality badly.

                                        They could've had both a button and a slider...

                                        I dunno man, taking away something that is a core part of your brand's identity, are these guys not aware of the consequences of such an action?

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