OnePlus Tipped to Replace Alert Slider with Apple-Style Button in 2026

According to a recent leak, the OnePlus 13 might be the final flagship of the brand to retain its signature Alert Slider. The hardware toggle, an analog to Apple’s old mute switch (with an additional third stage) on the Android side, could soon give way to a version unifying something more like Apple’s Action Button. However, the OnePlus version might have more power and customization.

OnePlus 13 May Be the Last Flagship with Alert Slider as Leak Hints at Action Button Replacement

The Alert Slider, which has been a prominent feature since the OnePlus One in 2014, enables users to protect sound profiles—normal, vibrate, and silent—without unlocking the device. It continued to be one of the best additions that really set OnePlus apart from other Android manufacturers.

Now it seems that OnePlus is also preparing to drop the Alert Slider completely, following the same path as its parent company Oppo. Recent leaks suggest Oppo is also shifting towards an Action Button-like replacement, having already integrated Apple’s Camera Control feature into its flagship Find X8 series. According to reputable tipster Digital Chat Station, Oppo might soon incorporate the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s additional hardware key into its devices, making it likely that OnePlus will follow suit.

The transition could debut with Oppo’s upcoming Find X8 Ultra, expected to launch in March 2025. The device is rumored to feature a completely flat display and Oppo’s most advanced Hasselblad-branded cameras yet. If the Find X8 Ultra implements this new button, the OnePlus 14 could also adopt it, especially since leaked renders of the upcoming OnePlus Open 2 still show the traditional Alert Slider.

This wouldn’t be the first time OnePlus attempted to move away from the Alert Slider—the OnePlus 10T notably lacked the feature, leading to significant backlash from users. However, this time, OnePlus might avoid controversy if the new ‘Alert Button’ offers extensive customization and remapping options. If Digital Chat Station’s claims hold true, this change could provide users with more control over their device’s functionality while still maintaining the convenience of the original Alert Slider.

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