The video is a nostalgic look at the history of OnePlus, a smartphone company that started as a small enthusiast brand but has evolved to become more mainstream. The narrator, Marques Brownlee, reflects on how OnePlus initially gained popularity with its "flagship killer" strategy, offering high-end features at affordable prices. However, as the company grew, it began to shift its focus towards the mainstream market, which has led to some enthusiasts feeling disappointed.
Brownlee notes that OnePlus is owned by BBK Electronics, the same company that owns Oppo, Vivo, and Realme, and that many OnePlus phones share similarities with Oppo phones. He also mentions that the enthusiast market is small, and companies like OnePlus need to expand to the mainstream market to sustain themselves.
The narrator concludes that being a fan of a company can lead to disappointment, and it's better to be a fan of the products themselves. He suggests that the role of the enthusiast-focused smartphone brand is a rotating spot, and new brands like Redmi and Poco are filling that gap.
Overall, the video is a thoughtful reflection on the evolution of OnePlus and the challenges of being an enthusiast brand in the ever-changing smartphone market.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The OnePlus 8 Pro is the phone used by the creator of the video.
2. OnePlus is a brand owned and managed by BBK Electronics.
3. BBK Electronics also runs the brands for Oppo, Vivo, and Realme.
4. The first OnePlus phone, the OnePlus One, was a massive success.
5. The OnePlus One was released with an invite-only purchase system.
6. OnePlus partnered with CyanogenMod for the software on the OnePlus One.
7. The OnePlus One had a custom near-stock Android experience.
8. OnePlus is related to Oppo, Vivo, and Realme through BBK Electronics.
9. Many OnePlus phones share hardware components with Oppo phones.
10. The OnePlus 5 and Oppo R11 share similar designs.
11. The OnePlus 6T and Oppo R17 share similar designs.
12. The OnePlus Nord N100 is visually almost indistinguishable from the Oppo A53.
13. OnePlus has been evolving as a brand, moving from a focus on enthusiast phones to a more mainstream approach.
14. OnePlus has increased its flagship pricing over the years.
15. The OnePlus One started at $299, while the OnePlus 8 Pro starts at $899.
16. OnePlus has released more phones per year, including the OnePlus X, which was more fashion-focused.
17. The OnePlus Nord has turned into a full-blown line of budget phones in different regions.
18. OnePlus has been taking pages from Oppo's playbook since the beginning.
19. Most major smartphone companies, including OnePlus, want to sell to as many people as possible.