One has decided to make a significant change to its smartphones. The company is replacing its signature Alert Slider with a new customizable smart button. CEO Pete Lau confirmed the move in a community pos. This marks the end of an era for one of OnePlus’ most recognizable features.
The Alert Slider has been a staple of OnePlus phones. It allows users to toggle between sound profiles without unlocking their devices. But OnePlus now says the feature was too limited in functionality. Lau admitted that while the slider was intuitive, it couldn’t be customized—something users had requested for years.
Instead of keeping the Alert Slider as is, OnePlus decided to replace it with a smart button that will offer more flexibility. While details are still under wraps, the company promises that users will still be able to switch sound modes quickly, just like before.
This move is strikingly similar to Apple’s decision to drop the mute switch for an Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro lineup. Apple’s Action Button lets users assign different functions, such as launching the camera or activating shortcuts. Now, OnePlus appears to be taking the same approach, suggesting that the new button could offer more than just sound profile switching.
For a brand that once prided itself on being different from mainstream smartphone makers, this shift raises questions about whether OnePlus is following industry trends rather than setting them. While the company insists this is an evolution, it’s hard to ignore the timing—especially after Apple made a nearly identical move.
While OnePlus has not shared specifics, the new smart button is expected to allow customization for different functions. The company says the change will free up internal space and improve structural design, though it’s unclear how much of a difference that will actually make for users.
It is important to note that ONePlus removed the Alert Slider from the OnePlus 10T and faced backlash. Later, it brought it back on the OnePlus 11. OnePlus claims that it has taken that criticism into account while developing the new button to avoid user backlash.
For OnePlus users who loved the simplicity of the Alert Slider, this change might not be welcome. The brand built its reputation on unique hardware decisions, and ditching the Alert Slider feels like another step toward mainstream smartphone design rather than innovation. OnePlus is betting that a customizable button will ultimately be more useful. Whether it turns out to be a meaningful upgrade or just another case of following Apple’s lead remains to be seen.
