OnePlus CEO Confirms That The Company Is Getting Rid Of The Alert Sliders On Future Smartphones, Likely To Make Way For A Customizable Button Similar To Apple’s Action Button

Mar 10, 2025 at 01:28pm EDT
OnePlus CEO confirms that the company is getting rid of the Alert Slider on future smartphones

The smartphone evolution might have forced manufacturers to remove some iconic features, but OnePlus stood its ground when it came to offering the Alert Slider in its handsets, as it was a convenient way to set and adjust audio profiles without having to get into the settings menu unnecessarily. Unfortunately, it appears that the company might be ready to throw in the towel because Chief Executive Pete Lau has confirmed through a post that the feature will no longer arrive on future devices. While the Alert Slider will be missed, it will be replaced with something that functions similarly to Apple’s Action button.

The removal of the Alert Slider could stem from customers wanting an alternate on OnePlus smartphones, giving them more customization options

Assuming that OnePlus proceeds with this change, future OPPO devices will likely no longer ship with the Alert Slider. On the company’s forum post, Pete Lau made the announcement, talking in-depth about the changes that will imminently arrive in the upcoming models. While the iconic slider will be missed, OnePlus needs to keep pace with the competition and offer its customers a customizable tool.

Related Story OnePlus Founder & CEO Pete Lau Lands In Hot Water As Taiwan Issues Arrest Warrant Against Chief Executive Over The Alleged Illegal Recruitment Of 70 Engineers

“Smartphones today aren’t just tools packed with industry-leading specs (though we’ve got that covered). They’re intelligent companions. The new smart button is designed for that future, delivering a more personalized experience.

Imagine a button that adapts to you. Whether you’re a power user or prefer simplicity, this button works for you, not the other way around. Wherever life takes you, it seamlessly fits your lifestyle. It’s an innovation that is not just smart but intuitively yours.

This change allows us to better utilize the device's space, explore new layouts, and make structural improvements while keeping performance top-notch.”

This new button is expected to retain the ability to switch sound profiles on the fly without waking up the handset, giving users the option to do more on their OnePlus smartphone. While Pete Lau has yet to share the full extent of its capabilities, we expect this change to debut with a future flagship release.

It appears that the Action button that Apple debuted last year will set off a chain reaction. Even if readers dismiss this as a blatant copy-paste, as long as customers are getting more features for their money, we can all agree that this outcome will make everyone happy.

News Source: OnePlus

About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.

Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.