OnePlus is reportedly merging with Realme and 'evaluating' its future — but I'm convinced that this is fantastic news for Android fans

Not the end, just the end for now

Features By Tom Bedford published 2 May 2026

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Over the last few years, our list of the best Android phones has featured a smaller and smaller array of brands. That's not because we're biased towards particular companies; it's just that some of our favorite manufacturers have been winding down operations.

The last Nokia phone I reviewed was in 2022, the same goes for Realme, and we haven't published a full review of a Vivo or Nubia phone since 2024 (not including Nubia's RedMagic sub-brand). LG and Asus are two other high-profile brands that have retired from the mobile game in recent years, and I'm surprised that Sony is still ticking along (though its new mobile offerings are scant).

Unfortunately, it sounds like OnePlus might join that esteemed crowd very soon. Tech commentators have been down about what seems like a 'writing on the wall' situation for the Chinese brand; OnePlus is beloved among testers, and it's maintained a dedicated corps of fans online, too. But while rumors of OnePlus' demise certainly aren't nice to hear, in the long term, I think this could turn into a great thing for smartphone buyers. Let me explain.

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What's happening to OnePlus?

Since the year began, rumors of OnePlus' imminent closure have been swirling. While the brand has denied these reports, it's clear that OnePlus has slowed down its usual product launch cycle (where's the OnePlus Nord 6?). Many assume that the brand's ditching the West to focus on Chinese and Indian markets, and indeed OnePlus itself has confirmed to Android Authority that it's "evaluating its regional roadmap and product strategy".

Most recently, we've heard that OnePlus could merge with Realme, its sister brand (both are owned by Chinese giant BBK Electronics, like Vivo and Oppo), which also stopped selling phones in Europe about four years ago.

Again, OnePlus has denied these reports to the Financial Express, but its statement only refers to "OnePlus India" and "local operations". Reading between the lines, that seems to confirm that global changes are afoot.

It's unclear what such a merger could look like; OnePlus also merged with Oppo back in 2021, and from the outside perspective, this didn't result in many changes.

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