OnePlus is one such phone brand that has a dedicated following on forums and Reddit, an active online community, and a variety of phone lines that generate excitement as the release nears.
In this way, OnePlus reminds me of Apple, just like the way fans line up outside physical stores to buy OnePlus phones for the first time.
So, what is it that inspires you to come here? Originally, the company was known for its 'flagship-killer' products, which provided top-tier features and specs at affordable prices. OnePlus is operating in the premium market, which it has been trying to reduce for the past few years.
People are eager to see the next big thing from OnePlus, which OnePlus does its best to stock with slow-paced information in the lead-up to its launch.
We'll walk you through everything you need to know about OnePlus, including the products it has released, to help you learn more about it.
A Brief History of OnePlus
The OnePlus One, the company's first handset, was released in early 2014. The company grew rapidly, launching in new markets during 2014 and releasing new phones on a yearly basis thereafter.
One of the reasons for the rapid rise in popularity of OnePlus was its 'invitation' system to buy smartphones, which required you to sign up to receive invitations to buy the phone. This created a 'forbidden fruit' environment around OnePlus devices, although this plan was abandoned with the release of the OnePlus 3.
OnePlus made its first foray into non-phone products in 2018, releasing its first wireless earbuds, which we'll learn more about later.
OnePlus is a subsidiary of BBK Electronics, which also owns Oppo, Vivo and Realme. Oppo is its biggest sibling, but thanks to the 2021 merger, OnePlus and Oppo actively pool resources, resulting in similar phones and software.
OnePlus 8 Pro (Image credit: TechRadar)
The OnePlus 7 and 8, for example, are part of the company's flagship phone series. These phones had a 'Pro' variant with the standard model in recent years, allowing the brand to sell in the upper-mid-range and fully fledged premium markets at the same time.
The T-line of handsets, which debuted about six months after the numbered line, takes phones half a year old and makes minor changes to accommodate technological advancements. The OnePlus 7T was a step ahead of the OnePlus 7 etc. Although OnePlus has always said that the T-series phone is not a pre-determined conclusion, history suggests that it will be released sooner than later.
OnePlus Nord line was launched by OnePlus in 2020. These are mid-range devices, aiming to recapture a market segment that the brand once dominated, but has since been lost due to the premium nature of its flagship line. Nord Line also has some budget units.
OnePlus 8T availability information (Photo courtesy of TechRadar).
The OnePlus phone series is released in the first few months of the year - usually in April or March - with the T version of the device released six months later in September or October.
The Nord Line doesn't seem to have an annual cycle, though it's still fairly new, so we might just look at one over time.
OnePlus phones are generally available all over the world, with the exception of Nord handsets, which are only available in select markets. For example, in the US, the original OnePlus Nord was not available.
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 (Image credit: Future) is another technology the company sells.
OnePlus produces wireless earbuds, such as the Bullet Wireless and the Buds, in addition to its smartphone lineup. These are made specifically for OnePlus phones and are usually quite cheap.
OnePlus is also making its debut in the wearable tech market, with the OnePlus Band fitness tracker already available in some markets and the OnePlus Watch on the way.
Several OnePlus TVs have also been spotted, but they are only available in a few countries.