Amid rising competition and cost pressures in the smartphone industry, OnePlus and Realme are reportedly restructuring their internal operations in China. While key teams are being aligned to improve efficiency, both brands are expected to retain their unique identities in the market.
Shared Teams, Separate Brand Identity
According to recent reports, both companies have integrated parts of their internal operations to reduce costs and streamline workflows. A newly formed sub-product centre now combines domestic and global product development teams under a unified structure.
This unit will be led by Li Jie, President of OnePlus China, who will report directly to Liu Zuohu, founder and CEO of OPPO. Meanwhile, Wang Wei, formerly vice-president at Realme, will take on the role of deputy general manager and report to Li Jie.
Despite operational integration, both brands will continue to function independently in branding and marketing to maintain their distinct market positioning.
New Unit for Joint Business Operations
In addition, a dedicated sub-business unit has been established to oversee joint commercial activities. This division will be headed by Sky Li, while Xu Qi will manage combined marketing and service operations.
This restructuring follows Realme’s transition into a sub-brand of OPPO earlier this year, placing it within the same ecosystem as OnePlus.
Market Pressures Driving Change
The move comes as companies under the BBK Electronics umbrella face increasing challenges, including rising component costs, memory shortages, and intense competition from brands like Xiaomi and Samsung. These factors have significantly squeezed profit margins.
By sharing resources such as R&D, procurement, and supply chain operations, OnePlus and Realme aim to reduce duplication and accelerate product development cycles.
Product Overlap Becoming Evident
Early signs of collaboration are already visible in upcoming devices. Reports suggest that the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite may be a rebranded version of the Realme P4X, with both devices expected to feature similar designs, the Dimensity 7400 chipset, a 7,000mAh battery, 45W charging, and comparable camera setups.
However, the brands are likely to stick to their core strategies—OnePlus focusing on premium smartphones, while Realme continues targeting budget-conscious consumers.
No Shutdown, Only Strategic Shift
Recent rumors about a potential shutdown of OnePlus have been dismissed. The company remains operational in key markets like China and India, though it is reportedly exploring a shift toward an online-only sales model.
In an official statement, OnePlus confirmed that its India operations are continuing as usual, urging media outlets to avoid spreading unverified information.
With deeper collaboration and shared resources, OnePlus and Realme may increasingly align their product strategies—while still competing in different segments of the smartphone market.
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