We Were Wrong: OnePlus Becoming The Western OPPO Is Great

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OnePlus is unlocked

Over the past few years, there has been much criticism (I have many of my own) of the close relationship between OPPO and OnePlus. However, the OnePlus Open, with hardware originally developed by OPPO, opens up exciting future possibilities for brands. It's true, OnePlus is losing ground to OPPO's hardware, effectively becoming the OPPO of the West (or US), and it needs to differentiate itself again. Trust me, that's not a bad explanation.

One thing we learned about the OP-Plus in 2023 is that OPPO knows how to make great devices. The second generation Find N3 flip headphones are just as beautifully crafted as their predecessors. We have nothing but good things to say about the hardware aspects of the OnePlus Open (aka OPPO Find N3). In fact, our review describes it as "the best hardware we've seen since OnePlus' original flagship". It cuts both ways when you consider who makes the phone.

OPPO devices are considered to be some of the best in the industry.

Likewise, the Find X6 Pro, although unfortunately limited to certain regions, is a fantastic device. If I had bought it without the import warning, it probably would have been my best phone of the year. But the Chinese model I used also left lasting memories; The design and camera are better than others. We haven't been able to say the same about a OnePlus flagship product for years, and the 10 and 11 series continue that trend of compromise.

But openness gives me reason for optimism. If somehow the upcoming OnePlus 12 is at least 80% better than the brand's latest model, it will be hard to ignore. The glasses are rumored to be; Everything will depend on execution and opening.

OPPO understands hardware, OnePlus understands US

Robert Triggs/Android Authority

Despite having excellent hardware, OPPO has often struggled to stand out in some Western markets, particularly the United States. This is likely due to brand recognition and the homogeneity of the Apple/Samsung dynamic. This could be due to choosing global software that is not fit for purpose. (There are also several unresolved patent issues.) But perhaps most important is the distribution route, which is often difficult for operators and retailers to understand. This is an area where OnePlus has more experience than OPPO and this partnership could prove beneficial.

The brand is still affiliated with BestBuy, where you can buy the OnePlus 11. You can no longer find OnePlus phones on Verizon (you could buy the OnePlus 9 in the past), and T-Mobile options are few and far between. In between, but OnePlus could open its doors again if the new hardware proves successful. Premium phones like the Open are more likely to attract the attention of retailers than powerful "flagship killer" or mid-range models, especially in the US. By comparison, OPPO's lack of presence in the US complicates the battle to convince major retailers to stock the phone.

If using the OnePlus name is what it takes to get OPPO devices into more people's hands, I'm all for it.

In its heyday, OnePlus carved a niche for itself with its never-settle approach to software, though the latest version of OxygenOS has relaxed that approach. OnePlus has more room to take an American approach to its software than renaming and reusing features like Open Canvas, O Relax, and Zen Space. However, OPPO needs close cooperation with ColorOS as they now have the resources to ensure that Open receives four highly competitive OS updates and security patches in five years. That's a huge win when you're competing with Apple and Samsung.

And don't forget the support structure needed to satisfy high-end phone buyers, which covers everything from warranties to aging battery replacements. OnePlus already has a strong presence in the US and other western markets, while OPPO needs to invest heavily in many countries and start from scratch if it wants to develop its brand further.

If using the OnePlus name is what it takes to get OPPO devices into more people's hands, I'm all for it.

Relationships still need to be repaired

K. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Left and right hand coordination is a perennial problem for these Hydra-powered bodies, and OP-Plus itself has the ability to improve coordination. Take the fact that Open supports the OPPO stylus but not the OnePlus stylus – an oversight is an understatement. Similarly, we saw OPPO form and then strike a partnership with Hasselblad to bring its best camera technology to Western players.

However, it would be foolish for OnePlus to change OPPO's image for the western market. There is a subtle but important difference between tailoring a product for a target market and white labeling it. OnePlus has a tradition of doing things differently, innovating features and undercutting the competition, all of which are recipes for success. It has a history of dropping hardware over the years, and OPPO can definitely fix that. But at the same time, OPPO's insistence on releasing additional dual-function app stores in markets comfortable with the Apple and Google ecosystems must be balanced by brands that better understand these customers.

OnePlus has put its unique stamp on OPPO's incredible hardware with the best of both worlds. We have seen the huge potential of OnePlus Open; Now let's see if next year's phones can strike twice.

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