China Regulatory Board: OnePlus Owned By Oppo

So how did OnePlus go from a startup that had not released a single product in any market, to one about to drop a competitive product that undercuts the big boys of a hyper competitive industry in dozens of markets? Perhaps, by being funded by the most profitable phone maker in China.

According to Chinese media outlets, documents from China's regulatory board show that OnePlus is actually a wholly owned subsidiary of Oppo. It probably shouldn't be surprising, OnePlus was created by former Oppo executive Peter Lau. But OnePlus was allegedly created to break away from the established companies and become something "different."

Now, it appears that Oppo is the primary stockholder in OnePlus, which would explain how they were able to set up distribution centers all around the world, seemingly out of nowhere. OnePlus has yet to respond to the allegations officially.

If true, why a company would be grooming a potential competitor is unclear.

We have reached out to OnePlus for an official comment.

This is another in a series of controversies following the young company as it releases its first flagship phone. The OnePlus One, which shares a lot visually with Oppo's Find 7, "launched" on April 23rd, although that is a liberal use of the word. At present time, no one can buy the phone and the only way anyone can get their hands on one, is by signing up to be one of the 100 customers selected to smash their current phones on video. After that, the phone will be sold only to those that receive an invite.

Eventually though, the phone will be available to the public, and when it is, it will start at $299. Which, considering its high end specs and global availability, will be a huge accomplishment for the young startup if they pull it off.

That is, if they are in fact a "young startup."

[Via: PhoneArena] [Source: Techweb]