OnePlus and Oppo are reportedly replacing the iconic Alert Slider with a new Magic Cube Key, inspired by the iPhone's Action Button, offering users more customisation options.
In Short
- OnePlus and Oppo might soon replace the Alert Slider with a new Magic Cube Key
- The new button promises greater versatility with customisable functions like mute, flash, and app shortcuts
- The Oppo Find X8 Ultra and OnePlus 14 could be the first devices to feature this change
OnePlus and Oppo are reportedly making a major change to their upcoming flagship smartphones — or at least, that’s what the latest rumour suggests. This one might not sit well with long-time OnePlus fans, but according to reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, the iconic Alert Slider, a feature that has been a staple of OnePlus devices since 2014, is set to be replaced by a new button called the Magic Cube Key. This new button is said to be inspired by the Action Button found on recent iPhones, offering users more customisation options.
This isn’t the first time Oppo and OnePlus have taken inspiration from Apple. While the Alert Slider on OnePlus phones has drawn comparisons to the iPhone’s mute switch, more recently, the Oppo Find X8 Pro launched with a camera control button similar to what we’ve seen on the iPhone 16 series.
For those who don’t know — and this is where hardcore fans might relate — the Alert Slider has been a defining feature of OnePlus phones, allowing users to quickly switch between notification profiles like silent, vibrate, and normal modes. Its removal will likely mark the end of an era for the brand, which has often prided itself on offering unique features that set its devices apart from other Android smartphones. However, the new Magic Cube Key — which will probably be renamed once it’s official — is expected to bring a new level of versatility.
Digital Chat Station claims that the Magic Cube Key will allow users to customise its functionality. For example, it could be programmed to act as a mute button, a shortcut to turn on the flash, launch a specific app, or even take a screenshot. Similar to the iPhone’s Action Button, this key should offer more flexibility compared to the Alert Slider. However, it remains to be seen how fans will react to the change.
The Oppo Find X8 Ultra is rumoured to be the first device to feature the Magic Cube Key, potentially launching by March 2025. The Find X8 Ultra is also expected to come with other premium features, including cameras tuned in collaboration with Hasselblad and a completely flat display. Following this, other Oppo phones — and likely the OnePlus 14, along with other upcoming models — could also adopt the Magic Cube Key. Interestingly, the upcoming Oppo Find N5 might retain the Alert Slider, as seen in official renders of the phone.
Of course, this isn’t the first time OnePlus has attempted to phase out the Alert Slider. The company faced backlash when it removed the feature from the OnePlus 10T, with many fans expressing their disappointment online. However, this time around, it’s more about replacing the iconic feature with a more versatile and practical addition