OnePlus unveils a new, color-changing concept device based on the 8T

OnePlus has introduced its latest concept device. It looks nearly identical to the consumer-grade 8T - until its rear panel and its unique features come into view. This backing is equipped with metal-oxide technology that allows the ornate swirls on the phone's back to shift between a deep blue to silver in response to the voltage acting on its glass.

This novel function comes into play in response to events such as notifications. However, it gains additional dimension when paired with the 8T Concept's additional next-gen component: an mmWave radar. OnePlus claims that it can detect changes in its immediate vicinity that extend to the movement of the user's chest in the course of their normal respiration.

Therefore, the Concept's color-shifting back can also "breathe" in concert with this data from the radar module, which may help in monitoring this activity. This "biofeedback" ability could therefore be extrapolated into the next big thing in health-tracking metrics.

Alternatively, the radar can support touchless gestures, such as those that could cause a phone to accept or reject a call. That aspect of the 8T Concept's feature set is not exactly new, but, as current events and (the Huawei Mate 40 series' launch) may have shown, their time may have come at last.

The 8T Concept is the latest product of OnePlus Gaudi, a dedicated design team within this organization also responsible for the Concept One. It thus represents the most recent developments in this company's "eCMF" (or electronic color, material and finish) philosophy. However, it may be some time before the advanced rear-panel showcased here hits the market in any way.