OnePlus could be on the verge of a significant design shift by potentially replacing its iconic Alert Slider with a new customizable button. According to the well-known tipster Digital Chat Station, this change would introduce a feature dubbed the “Magic Cube key.”
Digital Chat Station shared an image of this new button, alongside the Chinese text for “Magic Cube” or “Rubik’s Cube” key. The button aims to mute the device with one tap but can also be programmed for various other functions, including launching the camera, activating the flashlight, capturing screenshots, or opening an app.
This concept echoes Apple’s “Action Button” seen on recent iPhone models, although it offers the advantage of supporting multiple shortcuts.
A Feature That Defined OnePlus
The Alert Slider, a three-stage switch allowing users to cycle through “Silent,” “Vibrate,” and “Ringer” settings without needing to unlock the screen, has been a hallmark of OnePlus devices since its debut with the OnePlus 2 in 2015. This feature has been integrated into almost every OnePlus phone since, with OPPO also adopting it for some of its models.
OnePlus made a brief departure from this feature in 2022 with the OnePlus 10T, only to bring it back with the OnePlus 11 in 2023. However, if the latest rumors hold true, OnePlus might be set to abandon this signature element altogether.
A Year of Changes for OnePlus
This year, OnePlus has already made headlines by announcing no release for the OnePlus Open 2 in 2025, while OPPO pushes forward with its Find N5 series. Now, the potential removal of the Alert Slider further indicates OnePlus’s evolving approach to smartphone design.
While the new customizable button might bring enhanced functionality, it could mean the end of a beloved OnePlus feature. How OnePlus users will react to this potential change is yet to be seen.