OnePlus is shutting down nearly every physical store it operates in India. At the same time, it is adding 200 new service centers through OPPO. That sounds contradictory. But when you look at the full picture, the logic becomes painfully clear.
I am Ameer Hamza, and at Global Tech Press, I spent the last 48 hours going through confirmed reports from NewsBytesApp, Android Authority, The Economic Times, and Business Standard to understand what this shift really means.
Every Partner Store Is Being Told to Shut Down
OnePlus is planning to shift almost entirely to online sales. The company has asked partner run exclusive stores across India to shut down. Only three company owned outlets in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru are likely to remain operational after this transition.
Distributors in the general trade channel have also been given a deadline of March 31 as their final billing date. That is two days from now.
The Shift to Direct to Consumer Sales
In a press statement, OnePlus said the D2C shift is aimed at enhancing engagement with its core base of digital first consumers while enabling sharper pricing and more India focused innovation.
Upcoming product launches, including the Nord 6, are likely to be available exclusively on Amazon.
But Service Centers Are Growing, Not Shrinking
The move is aimed at offering more competitive pricing and expanding its after sales network significantly. The company plans to increase its authorized service centers from around 400 to over 600 by leveraging OPPO’s existing infrastructure.
Customers will benefit from a wider footprint, faster support, and access to an already mature service infrastructure operated by OPPO.
Why OPPO’s Network Makes Sense
Instead of setting up entirely new infrastructure, OnePlus is using OPPO’s service network to expand its reach. The two brands have already been operating closely, and this move reflects that alignment.
In India, OnePlus has a good footprint in tier 1 and tier 2 regions, while OPPO’s retail network goes much deeper. If the product lineups get closer, it would make a lot of sense for them to merge their service networks and support more consumers with ease.
The Real Reason Behind This Move
Under government regulations, OnePlus is obligated to provide service support for up to five years even if it shuts down completely. The company plans to meet this obligation through OPPO’s service network, minimizing additional investment.
That single detail tells you everything. OnePlus is not expanding service because business is booming. It is expanding through OPPO because it legally has to support existing customers, and building its own infrastructure no longer makes financial sense.
The Numbers Behind the Decision
Despite the strategic shift, OnePlus India’s market share has dropped sharply to 2.4% in 2025 from 3.9% in 2024.
This development indicates closer alignment with its parent company, OPPO, and follows the recent exit of CEO Robin Liu.
What This Means for OnePlus Buyers in India
If you already own a OnePlus phone, your warranty and repairs are not going away. They are just moving to OPPO’s network.
OnePlus emphasized that all existing commitments will remain intact. This includes warranties, regular software updates, and ongoing customer support assurances. The company’s messaging aims to reassure users that, despite operational adjustments, their ownership experience will not be disrupted.
But here is the honest reality. When a company closes its stores, shifts to online only, hands its service network to its parent company, and loses its CEO within the same month, those are not signs of growth. Those are signs of consolidation. And consolidation is often the step that comes right before something bigger changes.
Written by Ameer Hamza
Tech Analyst and Founder of Global Tech Press. Currently expanding the GTP hardware testing labs and building the next generation of digital tech media.
