OnePlus might be dead but your phone isn't... yet
There's a backup plan for your OnePlus phone, but it's voluntary
Quick Summary
OnePlus has confirmed that it's pulling out of the US and Europe, limiting the number of regions that it will continue to sell phones in.
However, those devices that are still eligable for support will be able to move to ColorOS to receive future updates.
The rumours are true, OnePlus has confirmed that it is pulling out of Europe and the US, marking the end of a brand that shot to fame on the back of viral marketing for the OnePlus One. Sadly, it seemed to struggle to differentiate from parent company Oppo in recent years.
While the brand will continue in regions such as China and India (for now), those with recent phones in the UK, Europe and US might be wondering what will happen next to those devices.
The good news is that some level of support will continue, but the bad is that you'll be prompted to move to ColorOS.
That's to be part of the move to Android 17, so if you have a device with continuing support, you'll be moved away from the OxygenOS that OnePlus was once famous for, and moved over to ColorOS, the Android skin that Oppo uses.
That update will also include continuing security updates and aftersales support. And OnePlus has confirmed that warranties will be respected, including repair services.
The decision is yours
There's an extra twist in this tale: the move to ColorOS will be voluntary and OnePlus says that you'll be able to roll-back to an older version of OxygenOS if you want to.
The news will come as a blow to those who have loyally supported OnePlus, although arguably, there's another brand in town that offers a similar exciting feel – and that's Nothing.
Many will point to the change in OnePlus starting with the departure of Carl Pei, the co-founder alongside Pete Lau. While Lau continued to lead the Oppo and OnePlus brands, Pei left to ultimately found Nothing Tech.
Nothing offers a similar focus on software efficiency, pushing devices that are good value for money, often with respectable core power and with interesting designs. OnePlus devices, however, quickly moved down the path of mirroring Oppo's launches, which perhaps explains waning enthusiasm.
OnePlus hasn't shared a definitive list (it should be devices that still have support remaining), but the list according to a community post should include:
- OnePlus Open
- OnePlus 15
- OnePlus 15R
- OnePlus 13
- OnePlus 13R
- OnePlus 12
- OnePlus 12R
- OnePlus 11
- OnePlus Nord 5
- OnePlus Nord CE 5
- OnePlus Nord 4
- OnePlus Pad 3
- OnePlus Pad 2
- OnePlus Pad Lite
- OnePlus Pad Go 2
It's a sad day for OnePlus fans, especially those who have followed the brand from the start, but with such a change to the feeling of what OnePlus stood for, I suspect many will not be surprised.
