OnePlus and Oppo have historically not been too explicit about their general parenting in the technological conglomerate BBK Electronics. But now, after years of silence Share resources, the companies are officially integrating their research and development efforts.
According to a report by the Chinese publication DoNews, the process started in December and was only recently completed. The publication also elaborates on the relationship and says that it will be similar to the relationship between Xiaomi and Redmi – although software development will apparently still be independent.
A spokesperson for OnePlus confirmed the development with the following statement:
To better maximize resources and further position OnePlus, we are integrating some R&D capabilities into OPLUS, our long-term investor. OnePlus will continue to work independently and work to provide the best possible user experience for existing and future OnePlus users.
If you do not know, OPLUS is an investor group that oversees Oppo, OnePlus and Realme. Not much is known about it, but Pete Lau, CEO of OnePlus, who also happens to be the SVP at OPLUS and oversees trade synergy and product planning at Oppo and OnePlus, claims it has nothing to do with BBK.
As OnePlus no longer focuses on the niche it once had and wants to target the masses with its Nord series, it seems that the integration of R&D for hardware with Oppo makes sense. The latter already manufactures various smartphones that cater to a wide range of markets – from budget to premium flagships.
But for what it’s worth, this new development is unlikely to lead to drastic observable changes. The companies have a history of part-time development, and it has been visible on more than one occasion: the color-changing electrochromic glass we saw on OnePlus’ Concept One and the 8T concept phone is now mass-produced in the Oppo Reno 5 Pro Plus.
