Think OnePlus is an independent rebel in the smartphone world? Think again. While it’s long positioned itself as a bold challenger to the Apples and Samsungs of the world, OnePlus is far from a scrappy upstart. The truth is, OnePlus has always been part of a bigger machine—one that quietly dominates the global smartphone industry.
Founded in 2013 by former OPPO VP Pete Lau and tech entrepreneur Carl Pei, OnePlus may have started with a vision to “Never Settle,” but it never truly stood alone. Behind the scenes, it was backed by Chinese tech giant BBK Electronics, the same conglomerate that also gave birth to OPPO, Vivo, Realme, and iQOO.
The BBK Era Is Over—Enter OPPO
In its heyday, BBK Electronics operated more like a holding company than a hands-on parent, letting its brands compete, collaborate, and share resources while maintaining separate identities. In 2020, BBK-affiliated brands reportedly outsold both Samsung and Huawei globally, with a staggering 262 million smartphone shipments—excluding OnePlus and iQOO.
But that era quietly ended in 2023, when BBK Electronics was dissolved and deregistered. Now, OnePlus operates as a direct subsidiary of OPPO, under the umbrella of Guangdong OPlus Holdings, which also controls Realme. This consolidation isn’t just a technicality—OnePlus and OPPO share everything from software teams and R&D to executive leadership.
OnePlus and OPPO: A Shared DNA
If you’ve ever felt like recent OnePlus devices look eerily similar to OPPO phones, you’re not imagining things. In fact, the OnePlus Open and OPPO Find N3 are essentially the same foldable device, with minor cosmetic differences and market-specific branding.
The two brands began officially merging operations in 2021, aligning product launches, development cycles, and even customer support. OxygenOS, OnePlus’ custom Android skin, now shares its codebase with OPPO’s ColorOS. They even share service centers in some countries, and you can buy OnePlus products from OPPO’s online store.
So why the separation on paper? Simple: strategy. OnePlus remains positioned as an online-first, flagship-oriented global brand, while OPPO dominates offline retail channels, especially in China and other Asian markets. This dual-brand approach lets the parent company maximize market coverage without cannibalizing itself.
Where Are OnePlus Phones Made?
Like many global tech products, OnePlus phones have a dual homeland: China and India.
The core manufacturing happens in Shenzhen, China, where OPPO’s main headquarters and assembly lines are located. Facilities like the Tairan Building in Futian handle the final stages of production, including flagship models like the OnePlus 13. These plants are high-tech, with clean-room assembly environments, stringent quality control, and dedicated camera calibration labs.
But increasingly, India is emerging as OnePlus’ second major manufacturing hub. Since 2015, the company has partnered with Foxconn’s Rising Stars facility in Andhra Pradesh. Under its “Project Starlight,” OnePlus announced plans to invest ₹6,000 crore (~$720 million) by 2027 to boost local production, sourcing, and R&D. This strategy helps OnePlus comply with India’s “Make in India” policy while reducing dependency on Chinese imports.
By 2026, OPPO and OnePlus aim to raise local value addition from 18% to 20%, incorporating Indian-made PCBs, enclosures, batteries, and more. Even OnePlus’ audio and IoT products are now being assembled in India through partners like Optiemus.
The Bigger Picture: More Than Just Phones
The deep integration between OnePlus and OPPO reflects a broader industry trend: modular brand ecosystems. Tech companies are increasingly building shared supply chains and software stacks, while keeping brand identities separate for strategic reach. Think Alphabet with Google and YouTube, or Meta with Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
For consumers, the OnePlus-OPPO connection means faster updates, better hardware integration, and smoother global support. But it also means fewer surprises—don’t expect wildly different innovations between the two brands anytime soon.
Final Thoughts: One Brand, Two Faces
So, who really owns OnePlus? On paper, it’s OPPO. But functionally, it’s part of a larger, smarter machine that spans continents and supply chains. OnePlus may still market itself as an edgy alternative, but its roots—and future—are firmly tied to the legacy and infrastructure of OPPO and its parent, OPlus.
What do you think about the OnePlus–OPPO connection? Does it change how you view the brand? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share this article with someone who still thinks OnePlus is going solo.
