It is not a hidden fact that there are several OnePlus devices, which are rebranded OPPO phones. Now it seems, we will see more identical products because OPPO and OnePlus have reportedly merged their R&D department.
According to a report by DoNews, the research and development department of both OnePlus and OPPO have been merged. FYI, BBK Electronics is the parent company of both the smartphone company.
Recent products from both companies are also pretty identical. For instance, the color-shifting electromagnetic glass, which OnePlus introduced with its Concept One phone and the OnePlus 8T Concept, is now officially available on the OPPO Reno 5 Pro Plus.
Well, that’s not it. This so-called OnePlus “inspiration” from OPPO goes all the way back to the first OnePlus phone, the OnePlus One.
Yes, the OnePlus One was strikingly similar to OPPO Find 7a. The same idea was with the OnePlus 5 being similar to OPPO R11, the OnePlus 6T looked like OPPO R17, and the most recent OnePlus Nord N100 is the same as OPPO A53.
However, even after the merger, both companies would still offer different software and features. But we doubt that because if both were offering similar products before the merger, then it gives them a free hand after the merger of their R&D. If you know what we are saying!
Recruitment of new employees in R&D will be done by OPPO, not OnePlus
Reportedly, the recruitment and integration of new employees in R&D will be looked after by OPPO, not OnePlus. So, you can expect more OPPO-fication. Because this simply means that two relatively independent brands of BBK Electronics will now be more closely linked.
As per the OPPO insider, this move is just like what Xiaomi has done with its subsidiary Redmi. Apparently, both companies share their research and development departments.
The source also confirms that software is not a part of this R&D merger, at least for now. The rumors of R&D merging emerged back in June 2020, but now it seems they have put their confirmation on the dotted line.
Confirming this piece of information, OnePlus emailed Android Authority. Here is what the company has to say on this merger:
To better maximize resources and further position OnePlus for growth, we are in the process of further integrating some R&D capabilities within OPLUS, our long-term investor. OnePlus will continue operating independently and working to deliver the best possible user experience for existing and future OnePlus users.
It is unclear what impact we will see on upcoming OnePlus or OPPO phones in terms of hardware or even software. Lately, similarities between both company’s skins have also started creeping up.