Is OnePlus actually being dismantled?

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 at 18:19

I’ve spent the last few hours watching a wildfire spread across the tech world, and for once, it’s not about a leaked camera sensor or a battery spec. Instead, the very existence of OnePlus is being called into question. A bombshell report from Android Headlines recently alleged that the brand is being "dismantled" by its parent company, OPPO.

Naturally, OnePlus isn't taking this lying down. Robin Liu, the CEO of OnePlus India, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to call these claims "false" and "unverified."

But honestly? Even with the official denials, there is a weird tension in the air. We’ve seen this movie before with brands like LG and BlackBerry—the "business as usual" statements usually keep coming right up until the doors actually close.

Key Points

Official Denial: OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu called rumors of a brand shutdown "false" and "unverified."
Regional Operations: Both India and North America claim they are operating "as normal" and will honor all support commitments.
Troubling Data: Reports suggest a 20% decline in global sales and a significant loss of market share in the premium segment.
Product Cancellations: Rumors persist that the OnePlus Open 2 and a compact "15s" model have been axed to cut costs.
OPPO Integration: The brand is reportedly undergoing a "rebranding" as a performance-focused sub-brand under a new unified OPPO group structure.

The "Dismantling" Narrative

The report that started this mess didn't just pull numbers out of thin air. It cited declining shipments—reportedly a 20% drop in 2024—and the quiet closure of regional headquarters, including the one in Dallas. There’s also the rumor that highly anticipated devices like the OnePlus Open 2 and a compact OnePlus 15s have been unceremoniously scrapped.

I find it hard to ignore the fact that OnePlus has been losing its "indie" identity for years. Since the 2021 "merger" with OPPO, the lines between OxygenOS and ColorOS have basically vanished. If OPPO is indeed centralizing everything in China and cutting "redundant" regional teams, it might not be a "shutdown" in the traditional sense, but rather a slow absorption into the parent company’s shadows.

India: The Last Stronghold?

It’s telling that the loudest denial came from the India office. India is, by most metrics, the only place where OnePlus is still a dominant force. While the brand is retreating from US carriers and struggling in Europe, it’s still launching "glitzy" products like the OnePlus 15R in India.

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Robin Liu’s statement was firm: "OnePlus India’s business operations continue as normal." But notice the qualifier there—India. While OnePlus North America also issued a "we’re still here" statement to 9to5Google, the lack of a unified, global "everything is fine" press release from OPPO itself is a bit loud.

For now, if you’re a OnePlus fan, don't panic. Your software updates aren't disappearing tomorrow. But as the industry consolidates and even giants like ASUS start scaling back their mobile divisions to focus on AI, it’s worth asking: how many "flagship killers" does the world actually need in 2026?