Rumor | OnePlus and OPPO are to share R&D teams in the future

OPPO and OnePlus are often viewed as very different companies, with different customer-bases and markets, but are in fact part of the same conglomerate, BBK Electronics. They, along with Realme, are part of the Ogo group within the corporation. Furthermore, OnePlus' CEO and co-founder, Pete Lau, also holds a senior position at OPPO product development.

Now, according to DoNews, the 2 brands might get even closer in the future. This, apparently, involves combining their research and development (R&D) divisions going forward. This, as the media outlet argues, might result in OPPO becoming to OnePlus what Xiaomi is to Redmi. However, OnePlus asserts that it will keep "operating independently".

On the other hand, the 2 supposedly separate brands have released very similar phones and technology in the past. The OnePlus One actually had the same form-factor as the OPPO Find 7a, and their 2 new fitness bands are essentially the same device.

Then again, OnePlus has managed to add its own tweaks, including the reasonably original and appealing rear panel finishes, most notably in the Sandstone Black One and Thunder Purple 6T. In addition, the two companies' OxygenOS and ColorOS Android skins have managed to diverge over time.

In any case, this situation is apparently subject to change. OnePlus may have given the possibility more weight with its recent official statement. However, it said that it was "in the process of further integrating some R&D capabilities", rather than merging outright.

This, apparently, is being done under the Ogo umbrella in order to "better maximize resources and further position OnePlus for growth". Therefore, it might also cut Realme in on this increasingly close R&D relationship.

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