- OnePlus has confirmed that it is leaving the US and Europe
- No new OnePlus products will be launched in either region
- Existing customers will continue to be promised support and software updates
The news that everyone has feared, but also expected, has been confirmed by OnePlus – the phone giant is officially leaving the United States and Europe, which means that no new products will be launched in any of the regions.
The writing has been on the wall for the Android pioneer in both regions for months. OnePlus canceled two of its most anticipated phones in January, and in recent weeks its website has pushed buyers to parent company Oppo.
Oppo’s Head of Global PR, Shuang Chen, confirmed in a briefing that all rights of existing customers “including after-sales support and software updates” will “remain fully guaranteed”.
But what does this bombshell news mean on a sad day for Android? We asked OnePlus and its parent company Oppo — here’s everything you need to know.
1. Why is this happening?
The official line on OnePlus leaving the US and Europe is that it’s a “strategic” shift.
But behind the corporate language, the reality is that OnePlus has been caught in a tailspin between a shrinking enthusiast phone market, huge competition from rival Chinese brands, the increasingly dominant incumbent duo of Samsung and Apple, and (in the US) difficulty maintaining all-important carrier relationships. Oh, and the small matter of a global crisis of RAM and components.
“It was not a decision made in haste,” Oppo’s Shuang Chen explained in a briefing. “This was neither a case of Oppo directing OnePlus nor a unilateral decision by OnePlus. Being a responsible brand means knowing when to go all in and when to make a choice.”
Unfortunately for OnePlus fans, that choice has felt inevitable for some time.
2. What does this mean for OnePlus owners?
Oppo Europe’s Senior PR Manager James Paterson confirmed in a briefing that “all service obligations for existing OnePlus devices in Europe and North America remain unchanged”. This applies to warranties, after-sales support and promised software updates, but the company also did not provide any details on how this will happen.
But this news also means that OnePlus owners will now get ColorOS rather than OnePlus’ OxygenOS. “We’re confident that when Color OS launches for OnePlus devices in North America and Europe in the coming months, users will love it just as they loved Oxygen OS,” added James Paterson.
It remains to be seen. But we’re definitely fans of ColorOS, calling it the “most powerful and smoothest Android wrapper” we’ve ever used in our Oppo Find X9 Pro review, even though it’s heavily inspired by iOS. Apparently, it will still be possible to go back to OxygenOS on your OnePlus device, but it may exclude you from future updates. ColorOS is of course a high priority for Oppo.
3. Will Oppo replace OnePlus?
Yes, at least that is the plan in Europe. When asked about any potential launches in the US, Elvis Zhou (CEO of Oppo Europe) confirmed: “Currently, we have no product plans for North America, but Oppo continues to explore market opportunities in various regions around the globe.”
However, it is a different story in Europe. “I’m happy to say that Europe is a really strategically important market for Oppo, so it’s been great to see the launch of the Find X9 Ultra and also the recently launched Reno 16 series,” added Oppo’s James Paterson.
Fortunately, it should be much easier to buy Oppo phones in the UK and Europe in the near future, which hasn’t always been the case. “Going forward, Oppo will increase our input in the European markets. For example, we are now improving our teams and also adjusting our business strategies, and we are going to focus more on our flagship series with the importance of our supporting imaging capabilities,” said Oppo’s Elvis Zhou.
4. Is this the end of OnePlus phones?
Not exactly – the OnePlus 16 and 16 Pro or Ultra are still heavily rumored and expected to launch later this year. But now they definitely won’t land in the US or Europe.
It may still be possible to import these phones from China, but that process can be complex with potential issues around software compatibility, frequency bands, and unexpected import taxes.
If you still want to buy a OnePlus phone in the US or Europe, Oppo confirmed that they will still sell existing phones while stocks last. “We are still seeing demand from the market, so we will continue to sell where we still have stock in those markets,” Oppo’s Elvis Zhou said.
5. Where should OnePlus fans go next?
Today’s OnePlus news is a sad day for Android as a whole. This is especially the case in the US, where Oppo confirms that it will not launch any of its phones there to replace OnePlus.
“Yes, it is regrettable that we will not launch new products in North America, but we will ensure that all user rights and interests, including product updates and after-sales service and relevant services, will be fully guaranteed. I am sure there are other excellent products out there for consumers to choose from,” said Oppo’s Elvis Zhou.
So what are those products? The obvious spiritual equivalent brand to OnePlus right now is Nothing, founded by former OnePlus boss Carl Pei, although models like the Nothing Phone (4a) sit more towards the budget end.
If you’re in Europe, there’s also the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, which unfortunately isn’t available in the US, but is probably the world’s best camera phone. It’s a similar story with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, another camera-focused phone available in Europe but not the US, and Honor.
Android fans looking to upgrade soon will no doubt be waiting to see what Google delivers with its Pixel 11 lineup, which launches on August 12. And could the death of OnePlus even push some people towards the iPhone? It’s certainly possible, but we want to hear from you in the poll below — if you had to choose one brand to switch to from OnePlus, which would it be?
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