OnePlus is making a bold move that marks the end of an era for its loyal fans. The company has officially announced that it will phase out the Alert Slider — a hallmark of its smartphone design — in favour of a new multi-functional button called the “Plus Key.” This change will apply across all upcoming OnePlus smartphones, beginning with the India-exclusive OnePlus 13s, a rebranded version of the OnePlus 13T originally launched in China.
While longtime users may mourn the loss of the physical switch that offered quick control over sound profiles, OnePlus believes the new Plus Key offers more versatility. In addition to being customizable, the button will serve as a gateway to OnePlus’s growing suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features.
Say Hello to ‘Plus Mind’ and a Smarter Smartphone Experience
At the heart of OnePlus’s AI push is a feature called “Plus Mind,” which the company describes as a personal assistant capable of storing and retrieving key on-screen content.
“When users find information that they wish to retain, such as schedules, event details, reservations, or listings, they can capture it by pressing the Plus Key or swiping up with three fingers. AI Plus Mind intelligently saves the relevant on-screen content to a dedicated Mind Space, helping users streamline their experience by capturing precisely what’s needed and keeping it organised in one accessible location,” OnePlus explained.
Although the OnePlus 13 and 13R will also support this feature, they’ll lack the physical Plus Key button, relying instead on gestures for activation.
A Broader AI Ecosystem with India-First Features
The new direction isn’t limited to just one feature. OnePlus is integrating Google’s Gemini AI into its native apps and rolling out a suite of intelligent tools designed to improve productivity and creativity. Among the most notable are:
- AI VoiceScribe: An India-exclusive tool that allows users to record, summarise, and translate meetings and calls within messaging and video platforms.
- AI Call Assistant: Also coming only to India, this feature provides real-time call translation and automatic summaries via the OnePlus Dialer on the 13s.
- AI Translation: A unified app for translating text, voice, screen content, and camera inputs, aimed at making cross-language communication seamless.
- AI Search: Lets users conduct natural-language searches across local content like files, notes, and settings, enhanced by integration with Plus Mind.
- AI Reframe: Analyzes images to suggest new framing options, offering creative flexibility for photography enthusiasts.
- AI Best Face 2.0: Launching via OTA this summer, this tool perfects group shots by fixing issues like closed eyes or awkward expressions — even for photos taken on non-OnePlus devices.
Security First in the Age of AI
OnePlus has emphasised user privacy throughout its AI rollout. The brand states that it “prioritizes on-device processing within a trusted environment” and uses a “Private Computing Cloud” for more demanding tasks, reinforcing its commitment to data protection.
While there’s no global rollout date yet for most of these features, OnePlus appears set on redefining what a smartphone button — and a smart assistant — can do. The Plus Key might just be the start of a new chapter in AI-powered mobile experiences.
