OnePlus Should Abandon Phones and Go All In on Gaming

Key Points:

• OnePlus may be entering the gaming handheld market with a device resembling a smartphone but featuring extended grips, trigger buttons, and a dual-lens camera with reduced emphasis on photography, according to a leak on Weibo.
• The rumored handheld is said to have an 8-inch display, larger than typical smartphones but smaller than devices like the Steam Deck, and might use a MediaTek chip instead of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
• OnePlus has been enhancing gaming features on its flagship phones, such as the “OP Gaming Core” for better CPU efficiency during gaming, suggesting a potential focus on gaming enthusiasts with this new device.
• The company is reportedly undergoing internal restructuring, including the departure of OnePlus India’s CEO, amid speculation about its future in the U.S. market, although no official confirmation of an exit has been made.
• Owned by Oppo, OnePlus initially gained popularity as a value-driven flagship phone maker and may be attempting to reconnect with its enthusiast base through this unconventional move into gaming handhelds.