If you have your heart set on one, there are ways to make it work.
If you’ve been considering a OnePlus phone, your focus is likely on its performance, affordability, and software experience. Despite facing some challenges with earlier releases, the recent iterations of OnePlus smartphones have effectively recaptured the “flagship killer” reputation that initially established the brand. Our evaluation of the OnePlus 15 revealed minimal drawbacks, primarily concerning the camera quality. Priced at $900, it’s tough to find another device that matches the OnePlus 15 in terms of performance, battery longevity, and exceptional software quality.
However, in July, OnePlus officially announced its withdrawal from the North American and European markets. Much of its product range is currently unavailable on its website, though you can still find its phones and audio products at various retailers like Amazon. The pressing question is whether purchasing a new OnePlus device is wise given the company’s retreat from the US market. For many potential buyers, the answer is likely no.
While OnePlus has assured that software maintenance and customer support for existing devices will continue, significant changes are underway regarding future software updates. Longtime fans of OnePlus will recognize the importance of OxygenOS to the brand’s identity. If users find themselves losing the software experience they valued, it will be increasingly difficult to justify joining an ecosystem with an uncertain future.
Kissing Goodbye to OxygenOS
Adnan Ahmed
OnePlus’s standout feature (aside from its powerful smartphones) was the software experience it provided. Initially, the OnePlus One came with CyanogenMod, offering a community-focused version of Android. The brand later transitioned to its own OS, OxygenOS, which was celebrated for its clean interface and extensive customization options. Reviews of OnePlus devices routinely commend the speed and feature richness of OxygenOS.
This is all about to shift. Although OnePlus will maintain support for US-sold phones, users seeking newer Android versions will need to switch to ColorOS, the same interface used by Oppo devices. This decision has understandably upset many users. However, if you’ve recently compared an Oppo smartphone with a OnePlus device, you’d notice the two systems have become quite similar.
Since they have shared the same codebase since 2021, there’s not much users will be missing by changing over. Nonetheless, Oppo’s ColorOS does tend to include more bloatware compared to OxygenOS, and it would be disappointing if OnePlus removed some of the unique features that made its software special.
Calculated Risks and Rewards
Adnan Ahmed
Additionally, OnePlus does not confine you to its ecosystem like Apple does. If you opt to buy OnePlus Buds or a Watch, you can use them with other Android devices without losing essential features.
In conclusion, if you’re eager to get your hands on a OnePlus smartphone, it’s possible to make it work—provided you’re open to migrating to ColorOS. The OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R are slated to receive four major Android updates and six years of security patches. You can access after-sales service through the OnePlus Support site, and the company claims to uphold its warranty commitments.
