In a technical achievement highlighting the limits of compatibility between operating systems and hardware, developer Kevin Shroff managed to run Windows 11 on the OnePlus Open foldable phone. Although the project is classified as a "passion project" rather than a commercial product, it provided a practical view of how Microsoft's interface handles devices with innovative designs and unconventional aspect ratios.
Technical details and current limitations
To achieve this integration, Shroff completely removed the Android system from the device, focusing on the large inner screen and disabling the outer screen to ensure system stability. The project relied on a complex combination of Windows 11, the OEM firmware, and custom software components.
Despite successful booting and touchscreen responsiveness, the experience is still in its early stages and faces fundamental limitations; vital functions such as audio, Bluetooth, cellular connectivity, and even Wi-Fi and charging technologies are still under development or not fully functional, according to the project's page on GitHub.
What changes practically?
The technical significance of this project lies in proving that the design of Windows 11 is significantly superior to previous versions in handling foldable screens. Compared to previous Windows 10 experiences on devices like the Lenovo X1 Fold, Windows 11 demonstrated natural flexibility in adapting to available spaces:
- Taskbar: Shrinks perfectly to fit the nearly square screen without losing basic functions.
- Start Menu: Expands to fill most of the screen while leaving enough space around the edges, maintaining the desktop context and preventing a feeling of cramped space.
This compatibility opens new horizons regarding the future of Microsoft devices, such as the Surface Duo series, and confirms that the desktop operating system has become more ready to transition into a fully integrated mobile experience should companies decide to adopt this technical trend.