OPPO And OnePlus Reportedly Exiting UK And Europe (Update: Official Response)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24412228/OnePlus_11___render___group_render_1.jpg "OPPO and OnePlus reportedly leaving the UK and Europe (Update: official response)")
Adamya Sharma/Android Authority
TL. doctor.
- Its sub-brands, including OPPO and OnePlus, are said to be leaving much of Europe.
- According to reports, the smartphone maker will initially leave the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
- OPPO has informed the Android authority that its business in the European Union is currently doing well. OnePlus also denies leaving the UK and Europe.
Update: March 28, 2023 (1:50 AM ET): OPPO and OnePlus have released another joint statement about their plans for Europe. The companies seem to be hanging on at least this year. But there are mixed messages in their words. You can read all about the latest official posts from OPPO and OnePlus here.
Original article: March 27, 2023 (6:42 a.m. ET): What started with a report from a Chinese publication called 36Krypton has spread to multiple reports, including from trusted industry insiders like Max Zumber and Twitter's SnoopyTech. What's the big news? Well, it looks like OPPO and its sub-brands including OnePlus and possibly Realme are leaving the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
I can confirm: OPPO and OnePlus are leaving Europe. Germany, Britain, France and the Netherlands will be the first to leave.
The company is said to be withdrawing from Europe due to the high cost of sales in the region. Although the products are sold in European countries, the return on investment is low. Citing a source close to the case, 36Krypton reports that OPPO's European business is growing (MT).
Adamya Sharma/Android Authority
Macroeconomic factors are also responsible for OPPO's exit from the European Union. The war between Russia and Ukraine and rising inflation led to lower consumption in the region. Counterpoint Research reports that 2022 was the worst year for smartphone shipments in Europe. Specifically, OPPO's shipments decreased by 39% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Our business in the European Union is currently operating as normal
We contacted OPPO about the proposed development and received an initially vague response. A representative told us that the company is happy to bring the Find N2 Flip to the European market. The rest of their statement looks like this:
European market has always been one of our main markets. We have a good start in the European market in 2023 and our business in Europe is on track. With the successful launch of Find N2 Flip in London and the introduction of our latest technology and products at MWC 2023, OPPO will continue to focus on user needs and provide more innovative products and services.
This is not a refutation or confirmation of OPPO's departure from Europe. However, in response to additional questions, a company spokesperson said: "Our business in the EU is going well at the moment."
Meanwhile, in a statement that OnePlus emailed us, it reads:
OnePlus will not leave Europe and the UK and will maintain its stability in the home market. OnePlus will continue to invest in Europe and bring more innovative products and solutions to its users.
This raises more questions about why OPPO has not launched the Find X6 series in Europe this year. The company recently introduced it to China and made it clear that the flags will not be released outside of their country. This step can be interpreted as a harbinger of a complete withdrawal from Europe. But now that OPPO says everything is fine, it's hard to know what's really going on behind the scenes.
With the departure of OPPO, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Google and Motorola will join European markets as the leading smartphone vendors in the region. In the Android smartphone market, the competition is limited between Samsung and Xiaomi because they have the largest market share.
