Reports about OnePlus 11 devices bought in China facing restrictions when used outside China have sparked discussion in the tech community. In a statement attributed to Evgeny Makarov, the editor-in-chief of Mobiltelefon, it was claimed that Oppo intends to retire the OnePlus brand. The contention is that Chinese-purchased smartphones opened abroad may lose key search functionalities, which would be a significant constraint for users in Europe, the United States, and beyond. [Citation: Mobiltelefon, Evgeny Makarov]
As OnePlus operates as a subsidiary of Oppo, inquiries were quickly directed to Oppo’s Russian office after the initial reports emerged. The Russian representative reportedly clarified that OnePlus does not have an official presence in the Russian market and advised contacting the Chinese source where the device was originally purchased. This has left many questions about how regional restrictions are implemented and who bears responsibility for them. [Citation: Mobiltelefon]
Subsequent information indicates that the regional lock concerns OnePlus models activated in China when SIM cards from India, Italy, Russia, or Brazil are used. Industry experts also noted that the issue could extend beyond OnePlus to other BBK brands such as Oppo and Realme, though confirmations from Russian branches were not yet forthcoming. This situation underscores the broader challenges of regional firmware and service availability across devices from the BBK ecosystem. [Citation: Mobiltelefon]
Experts suggest that flashing Chinese devices to global firmware may offer a workaround. For instance, Chinese market OnePlus models ship with ColorOS, while international units run OxygenOS, which could influence how region-specific features are delivered after software changes. This discussion reflects a larger pattern in which firmware variants and regional licensing shape user experiences across different markets. [Citation: Mobiltelefon]
Earlier coverage noted other unusual limitations affecting accessory ecosystems for popular devices, illustrating a broader trend where manufacturers balance regional controls with user expectations. The evolving story around OnePlus, Oppo, and Realme highlights the importance of clear regional support policies and accessible channels for consumers seeking authentic device functionality across markets. [Citation: Mobiltelefon]