Rumors about OnePlus scaling back or even shutting down operations in certain regions have been swirling since the start of the year. Although OnePlus publicly denied those claims, the speculation didn’t fade. Now, a fresh leak is adding a new twist: OnePlus is reportedly merging operations with Realme, another well-known brand tied to Oppo’s wider ecosystem.
According to a post shared on Weibo by well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, OnePlus and Realme have merged across both domestic and international markets. The leak claims a new “sub-product center” has been created to oversee products and operations for both at home and overseas. This new unit is said to be led by Li Jie, who currently serves as the president of OnePlus China, and the report suggests he will be reporting directly to OnePlus CEO Pete Lau.
On the business side, the same leak says marketing and after-sales service for both OnePlus and Realme devices will be managed by a separate newly formed department. Allegedly, this department will be headed by Li Bingzhong, Realme’s co-founder, alongside Realme’s Chief Marketing Officer, Xi Qi. If accurate, this structure points to a deeper integration than simple collaboration, with shared leadership handling key parts of product planning, marketing, and customer support.
While neither OnePlus, Realme, nor Oppo has released an official statement confirming any merger, the rumor fits into the bigger picture of how closely these brands have operated in recent years. OnePlus has been connected to Oppo for a long time, benefiting from shared resources while maintaining its own identity in the smartphone market. Realme’s path has been a bit different: it started out as an Oppo sub-brand, broke away in 2018, and was reportedly brought back under the umbrella earlier this year.
The timing is also notable. Recent months brought repeated reports suggesting OnePlus might exit markets like the US and parts of Europe, with some claims pointing to an April shutdown. No public announcement ever followed, and the company continued pushing forward with product releases. In fact, OnePlus has kept launching new hardware, including the OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra smartphone and the Strix G15 gaming accessory, signaling that business has continued as usual on the surface.
If this reported OnePlus and Realme merger turns out to be real, it could explain the mixed signals: rather than disappearing from certain regions, OnePlus may be restructuring behind the scenes, potentially consolidating teams and operations with Realme to streamline development, marketing, and support worldwide. For fans of either brand, the biggest question now is what changes might come next—whether that means faster product cycles, more shared technology, or shifts in how each brand positions itself internationally.
For now, everything remains unofficial, but the leak is likely to keep the spotlight on OnePlus, Realme, and Oppo as people watch closely for confirmation—or denial—in the weeks ahead.
