OnePlus has abandoned its inviteonly ordering system for its One smartphone up until it launches its successor, the announced OnePlus 2.
One year ago OnePlus unveiled its ambitious One project. The resulting smartphone, equipped with top-tier hardware and a low $US299 price, caused a frenzy among technophiles the world over.
Demand was great and OnePlus, a youthful start up, strained under the volume. It had a product that could go punch-for-punch with the smartphone titans, but it did not have the manufacturing capabilities.
The invitation system was put in place to the chagrin of budding One owners. It ensured OnePlus would sell only the smartphones it could manufacture. Doing so has helped it manage its surging growth. Today it stands 700 employees strong.
On the anniversary of its first smartphone, the company is ready to ditch the invite only system for its One smartphone, while it prepares its successor, the OnePlus 2.
“Starting today, the One will be available without an invite. Forever,” the company announced in a blogpost. ”We now feel confident that we have matured enough to handle the increased complexity that comes along with opening up sales completely.”
Australians still cannot have the smartphone shipped directly as OnePlus has not launched locally. Good Gear Guide is awaiting comment from OnePlus on a local launch.
OnePlus’ subsidiary sibling, Oppo Mobile, entered the Australian smartphone market last year with a soft launch and is now stocked at Allphone retail stores.
Ways of buying a OnePlus in Australia include mail forwarding or grey importing the smartphone from third parties, such as Yatango Shopping.
The invitation system will be brought back when OnePlus launches its successor, the OnePlus 2.
“The 2 will initially launch with invites. We’re committed to maintaining razor-thin margins in order to give as much value as possible back to our users, and this drastically increases our risk.
“The OnePlus 2 will bring the challenges that come along with a brand new product, and initially, our invite system will help us to manage that risk.”
OnePlus has not revealed any additional information on the OnePlus 2. In the meantime, feel free to read our review of the smartphone that started it all.
Update, 23 April: OnePlus could not comment on its future plans.
