OnePlus in 2024: Triumphs, Troubles, and Future Outlook

The year 2024 proved to be a significant one for OnePlus, showcasing a mix of innovative releases and potential missteps. As the company strived to strengthen its market presence, flagship models from its main series as well as the Nord line emerged as high points. However, certain blunders and strategic choices have raised concerns about the brand's direction moving forward.

Highlight: OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12 received rave reviews, largely due to its robust performance and feature set. Despite a couple of minor issues, this top-tier phone managed to impress users and critics alike.

It has already garnered accolades for its design and functionality, showing OnePlus's commitment to delivering premium quality.

Potential Winner: OnePlus 12R

The OnePlus 12R, while branded as a "flagship killer," found its footing by providing excellent specifications at a more affordable price point. It boasts impressive features, including a stellar display and industry-leading battery life with fast charging capabilities, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. However, there are concerns regarding its lack of a telephoto camera and some video quality shortcomings.

The phone, which marked the first R-series model available in the U.S., faced setbacks due to misleading advertising about its storage capabilities, which makes its victory status questionable.

Setback: Software Support

A significant disappointment arose regarding OnePlus's software support strategy. Despite previous commitments, the company seemed to downplay the importance of extended OS updates, suggesting that while the software could be kept current, the hardware might degrade faster than competitors. This statement raised eyebrows among loyal users who expect longevity from their devices.

Success: OnePlus Nord 4

On the brighter side, the OnePlus Nord 4 emerged as a strong contender in the mid-range segment, characterized by its appealing design and long-lasting battery thanks to its 5,500mAh capacity. Although it lacked wireless charging, the 100W wired charging feature still impressed users. Moreover, its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor and 120Hz display offered satisfying performance, despite some camera limitations.

The standout design and competitive pricing made the Nord 4 a highlight for OnePlus in 2024.

Disappointment: OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite

Conversely, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite fell short of expectations. Improvements were made in display quality, battery life, and the camera, but it lacked key features such as an ultra-wide camera and faced performance limitations due to its chipset.

While the Nord CE4 improved upon its predecessor, its limited availability and absence of a global rollout left many consumers disappointed.

Concern: OnePlus Open

The OnePlus Open, initially released in late 2023, remains a valid competitor in the foldable space, but its lack of a follow-up has raised eyebrows. With no immediate sequel in sight and rumors indicating a delayed release, OnePlus risks falling behind in the competitive foldable market if it does not act swiftly.

As the market evolves and new players emerge, the urgency for continued innovation in foldable technology becomes clearer.

OnePlus 12 Pricing

OnePlus 12R Pricing

OnePlus Nord 4 Pricing

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Pricing