OnePlus is not what it used to be. It is not a negative-toned statement, but the current description of a company that has abandoned almost complete independence to merge with OPPO. On paper, the goal of the merger was to “further integrate the human resources and teams of both companies.” OnePlus would continue to operate “independently” and be an alternative company to OPPO.

The concrete fact is that after the merger, OxygenOS was diluted and became an adapted version of ColorOS. The next step was a move we haven’t seen before: launching the exact same phone as OPPO, on the same day but with different market focuses. OnePlus Open is OPPO Find N3 and after trying it, it is clear to me that there is no big problem with OnePlus gradually being diluted within OPPO.

OPPO and its situation in Europe. These are not good times for OPPO in Europe. The company, in the middle of a patent war with Nokia, has abandoned two of the region’s main markets: Germany and France.

Problems are being discussed in Switzerland this October. Yang Technology AG, OPPO’s main distributor in this country, immediately withdrew its operations. OPPO’s Swiss boss, Daniel Meier, left the company at his own request a few days ago. OnePlus seems to be dodging bullets for now.

OPPO phones not coming out of China. Another issue that needed to be discussed, especially regarding foldable phones, was OPPO’s own strategy on this issue. Except for the recent OPPO Find N2 Flip, the rest of the company’s foldable devices have been in China.

The distribution costs of such devices along with such marginal sales are largely responsible for manufacturers like OPPO or Xiaomi not removing their folding devices from China. Leaning on OnePlus for these logistics is a logical move.

OyxgenOS is not what it used to be. No problem. OxygenOS has flourished for years as an alternative ROM to Stock Android. A complete customization, but with the basics of “Pure” Android and a clear competitor to the Pixel ROM. It’s true that this is added weight in the geek community, but… the truth is that the software doesn’t have that much impact on the most mainstream consumer.

Xiaomi and Samsung dominate sales. Both have the heaviest ROMs on the market. OnePlus is taking an intermediate path. OxygenOS ColorOS is a ROM with Asian overtones, but with an interface relatively aimed at the European consumer, and without much software. OPPO has the opportunity at OnePlus to continue integrating its services while selling devices under this “independent” brand.

The leap in hardware needs OPPO. I repeated one phrase a lot during my OnePlus Open review: “This is a OnePlus that doesn’t look like OnePlus.” The company has always been at the forefront when it comes to processors, fast charging and memory technologies, but has never been able to compete head-to-head with the best in terms of displays, cameras and finishes.

Coming under the OPPO umbrella changes all that. OnePlus has the opportunity to have the best cameras, displays and finishes on the market, and all of this is accompanied by the rest of the best hardware that has always characterized them.

Image | Xataka

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