OnePlus to Wind Down US and Europe Operations
Original: Phone maker OnePlus reportedly plans to wind down US and Europe operations
Why This Matters
OnePlus's exit marks a significant retreat for Chinese Android brands from Western consumer markets amid chip shortages and weakening demand.
Android phone maker OnePlus plans to shut down its U.S. and European operations this week, per Bloomberg. Parent company Oppo is undergoing a corporate restructuring. OnePlus will also exit India, one of its largest markets outside China.
OnePlus, the Android smartphone brand under parent company Oppo, is winding down its U.S. and European operations as part of a broader corporate restructuring at Oppo, according to a Bloomberg report. The shutdown also includes India, one of OnePlus's biggest markets outside China. OnePlus was founded in 2013 by Pete Lau and Carl Pei to produce affordable Android phones for tech enthusiasts. Co-founder Pei departed in 2020 to launch Nothing. The company had expanded its lineup over the years, including the more affordable Nord series, as flagship phone prices climbed. The move comes amid weakening global smartphone demand. IDC and Counterpoint Research have forecast smartphone shipments will decline more than 13% in 2026 due to a memory chip shortage dubbed 'RAMageddon.' Oppo itself reported a double-digit year-over-year shipment decline in Q2 2026, with Counterpoint noting 'softness across most of its key markets.' Oppo plans to continue operating OnePlus in China and sell Realme-branded phones in select international markets, such as the Nordic region, where the brand has shown success.