There is a popular saying that "there is no smoke without fire," and recent developments appear to have revived speculation surrounding OnePlus's future in several global markets. Earlier this year, reports claimed that the company was planning to exit key markets, including Europe, the United States and India. At the time, OnePlus denied the claims. However, fresh reports now suggest that the company may indeed be preparing to scale back its international operations.
Update: In a statement to India Today Tech, OnePlus said, "OnePlus India continues to operate its business as usual, with all local operations on track. We urge the media to exercise restraint before amplifying unverified speculation."
According to a report by Bloomberg, OnePlus is expected to announce plans this week to wind down its operations in the United States and Europe. The move is reportedly part of a broader global restructuring strategy by its parent company, Oppo, with sister brand Realme also expected to withdraw from certain markets.
OnePlus may eventually exit India
The report further claims that OnePlus intends to gradually withdraw from most international markets outside China, including India. If these reports prove accurate, OnePlus devices may no longer be available in India from some point next year.
According to the report, Oppo's restructuring is being driven by financial pressures in its smartphone business, slowing momentum in the US, Europe and India, geopolitical challenges affecting Chinese smartphone brands in the US, and an ongoing trade secrets lawsuit involving Apple.
Rather than exiting Europe entirely, Oppo is reportedly planning to concentrate its operations in Central Europe. Meanwhile, Realme is expected to strengthen its presence in Nordic countries such as Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland, where it has performed relatively well. The report also suggests that Realme may withdraw from China while continuing its operations in India.
Once regarded as one of the most popular brands among technology enthusiasts, OnePlus has experienced a decline in recent years. At the same time, Oppo has expanded the availability of its flagship smartphones, including the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, to more international markets, including India.
Recent changes at OnePlus
Over the past few months, OnePlus has implemented several operational changes.
Customers can now access after-sales support for OnePlus devices through Oppo's service network, with reports suggesting that standalone OnePlus service centres in India may eventually be phased out.
The company has also introduced a new N-series of smartphones positioned below the Nord lineup. However, rumours continue to circulate regarding the future of OnePlus flagship devices in the Indian market, with no clarity on upcoming launches.
Reports also indicate that in some European markets, including Germany and Spain, the OnePlus website has begun displaying Oppo products. Promotional banners on the site reportedly state, "Oppo has the speed you need and the experience you trust."
Separately, earlier reports suggested that Oppo is planning to discontinue separate Android interfaces for its brands. Under this strategy, OnePlus' OxygenOS and Realme UI could eventually be replaced by Oppo's ColorOS across future devices. The three operating systems already share a common underlying codebase.
The broader smartphone industry has also been facing significant challenges, including rising memory prices, increasing smartphone costs and shortages of key components, particularly for budget and mid-range devices such as the OnePlus Nord series.
According to a recent Counterpoint report, global smartphone shipments have fallen to their lowest level since the summer of 2013—a period that predates the launch of the OnePlus brand itself.
