In a recent community post, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau addressed users regarding a significant change to one of the brand’s iconic features: the Alert Slider, after a report that surfaced last month.
The company announced its decision to replace the traditional Alert Slider with a new, customizable button, citing the need for greater functionality and adaptability.
The Alert Slider, known for its simplicity in switching between sound profiles, has been a staple of OnePlus devices and even extended to OPPO products. However, the company acknowledged that its fixed hardware design limited its potential for further customization.
“As much as I love the Alert Slider, I kept asking myself the same question. How can it do more?” Pete stated, highlighting the desire to expand the feature’s capabilities beyond simple sound profile switching.
The decision to move away from the Alert Slider was not made lightly. The company referenced the feedback received after the OnePlus 10T launch, which lacked the slider, indicating a strong emotional connection users had with the feature. This feedback prompted a three-year period of internal discussion and development.
The primary constraint of the Alert Slider, as explained, was its hardware-locked functionality. Its physical positions limited any potential for software-based customization. To address this, OnePlus opted for a new, customizable button.
“The Solution? A Smarter, Customisable Button,” the post explained, emphasizing the shift towards a more personalized user experience. The new button is designed to adapt to individual user needs, offering a wider range of functionalities.
OnePlus reassured users that essential features, such as quickly switching sound profiles, would remain intact. The company stated that this functionality was a “non-negotiable” aspect of the new button’s design.
The announcement highlighted the company’s commitment to user feedback, inviting community members to share their ideas for the new button’s functionality. The company emphasized that this is an “evolution” of the Alert Slider, aiming to retain its core convenience while unlocking new possibilities.
The shift is presented as a move to better utilize device space, enable new design layouts, and improve overall structural performance. The company acknowledged the emotional significance of the Alert Slider to its community but expressed confidence that the new button represents a step forward in delivering a more versatile and personalized smartphone experience.