The Alert Slider has been integral to OnePlus’ smartphone identity, simplifying switching between sound profiles. However, OnePlus plans to replace it with a controversial iPhone feature on its upcoming smartphones, and I’m stoked about it.
Upcoming OnePlus Phones Will Replace the Alert Slider With a Customizable Button
Since its inception, the Alert Slider has been a defining characteristic of OnePlus smartphones. It has made toggling between different sound profiles (ring, vibrate, and silent) quick and effortless, eliminating the need to even unlock the device.
That said, while the Alert Slider has been a staple in almost all OnePlus flagship smartphones, there have been some exceptions. The OnePlus 10T lacked an Alert Slider. However, the severe backlash from the OnePlus community forced the company to reinstate it in its subsequent models.
This time around, though, the situation is a little different.
OnePlus isn’t just removing the Alert Slider on its smartphones. Instead, it’s replacing it with a customizable button—one that users can customize to perform actions as per their requirements. The core functionality—switching between sound profiles—will remain on the new button, serving those who need it.
OnePlus CEO Pete Lau announced the change in a community post. Lau highlighted that the company had been planning to expand the Alert Slider’s capabilities beyond toggling sound profiles to offer users greater functionality for a while. However, it wasn’t possible to achieve this with the slider’s hardware, so they decided to replace it with a completely new button.
Why Is a Customizable Button a More Sensible Choice?
A customizable button on smartphones isn’t new. Currently, Apple is doing something similar on its iPhones with the Action Button. For those unaware, the Action Button replaces the traditional mute switch iPhones have had for years, which lets you quickly perform various functions on the device. To do this, Apple provides a bunch of built-in actions that let you customize how you use the Action Button in different ways.
Additionally, there’s support for the Shortcuts app, which enables you to run your favorite shortcut using the Action Button. For example, thanks to the Shortcuts integration, I have set up the Action Button to trigger multiple actions on my iPhone. This way, I can easily access all my frequently needed apps and services in one place on any screen with a simple press of the Action Button.
If OnePlus does something similar with its customizable button on its upcoming smartphones, I think a customizable button makes more sense than the Alert Slider. This is because a customizable button can serve more users than the Alert Slider, given it supports a robust selection of built-in actions. Some native actions I’d like OnePlus to offer include camera access, a flashlight toggle, QR code scanning, screenshots, and access to a virtual assistant.
Furthermore, I’d like to see support for third-party automation apps, like MacroDroid or Tasker, so I can truly automate anything on my Android phone. Doing so would open a world of possibilities, as you can create complex workflows and then assign them to the customizable button to easily trigger them from anywhere.
In contrast, the Alert Slider is useful only to those who need to toggle between sound profiles multiple times a day. It’s of very little value to people like me who prefer having their phone in silent mode most of the time and only need to switch between profiles occasionally.
Not Everyone Is Pleased With the Move
Following the announcement, most OnePlus users aren’t pleased with the company’s decision to replace the Alert Slider with a customizable button on its upcoming smartphones. This isn’t surprising, though, as many users have gotten accustomed to using the Alert Slider to switch between sound profiles.
However, it’s important to note that the new button will retain that core functionality. As such, fans of Alert Slider will still be able to use the new button to switch between sound profiles if that’s all they care about, though it will involve some unlearning and adaption before they can feel at home and use it comfortably.
Although controversial for many, OnePlus’ decision to replace the Alert Slider with a customizable button on its future smartphones is a great move, in my opinion. It can cater to those who’ve always desired a way to customize the unused Alert Slider on their smartphones for a more practical purpose while simultaneously allowing those without such needs to utilize it as a simple sound profile toggle button.
As of the time of writing, OnePlus hasn’t specified what the first smartphone to feature the new customizable button will be. While debuting it on a flagship smartphone may seem like an obvious move, considering we got the OnePlus 13 just a few months back—and there are several months until we see the OnePlus 14—that seems unlikely. Hence, we may see the new button sooner, possibly on the OnePlus 13T or the next Nord series device.
