 |
| OnePlus logo and Realme's Realmeow mascot (edited) |
If you’ve been following the smartphone industry this year, you’ve probably seen the headlines. First, whispers that OnePlus was pulling out of Europe. Then, rumors that the US market might be next. Each time, the company brushed off the speculation. But a new leak suggests the truth is far more nuanced—and arguably more significant—than a simple market exit.
According to a recent report from Leifeng.com, which cites an internal company announcement, OnePlus isn't shutting down. Instead, it is quietly merging operations with another familiar face in the Oppo universe: Realme.
For those who track corporate family trees, this is a big deal. Realme started as a sub-brand of Oppo, famously spun off in 2018 to take on the budget and mid-range markets (which they crushed, by the way). Earlier this year, Realme was quietly reabsorbed into the Oppo fold. Now, it appears OnePlus and Realme are being pushed even closer together.
According to the leak, a new “sub-product center has been established” to handle domestic and overseas operations for both brands. In plain English? OnePlus and Realme will likely be sharing more than just a charging technology—they might soon be sharing a business strategy, supply chains, and leadership.
Who is running the show?
The new division is reportedly headed by Li Jie—the current president of OnePlus China. He will be reporting directly to Pete Lau, the long-time CEO and face of OnePlus. Meanwhile, marketing and servicing for both brands will fall under a separate department led by Li Bingzhong (co-founder of Realme) and Xi Qi (CMO of Realme).
If that sounds like a boardroom reshuffle, it is. But for everyday consumers, the real question is: What does this mean for the phones we actually buy?
You can read the full internal memo details as reported by Leifeng.com right here.
Putting the rumors to rest (sort of)
Earlier this year, multiple leaks suggested OnePlus would "close down in the US and Europe by April." That deadline has come and gone without any public announcement. In fact, OnePlus has continued launching products at a steady clip. The most recent releases include the OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra phone and the Strix G15 gaming accessory—hardly the actions of a company packing up its desk.
So, why the confusion? It’s likely that internal restructuring was mistaken for a brand shutdown. When you merge teams, consolidate logistics, and shift leadership around, it’s easy for signals to get crossed. But for now, OnePlus isn’t going anywhere. It’s just getting closer to its family.
The bottom line
No official statement has been released by OnePlus, Realme, or Oppo as of this writing. So treat this as a credible leak—not gospel. But given the track record of Leifeng.com and the increasingly blurred lines between these three brands, the report fits a pattern we’ve been seeing for over a year.
If the merger holds true, expect fewer redundant products, more unified software updates, and perhaps—just perhaps—a clearer reason to choose OnePlus over Realme (or vice versa). Either way, the smartphone landscape just got a little more interesting.
Stay tuned for official confirmation. In the meantime, keep an eye on those summer launch events.