After an 18-month hiatus, Chinese Android handset maker OnePlus has made a triumphant return to Germany’s smartphone market. This comeback follows a recent global 5G patent cross-licensing deal between sister company Oppo and Finnish telecommunications giant Nokia, marking the end of a protracted legal dispute across 12 countries.
OnePlus relaunched its presence in Germany with six smartphone models, including the foldable OnePlus Open, now available for pre-order alongside the latest OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R handsets. Prior to this move, OnePlus had only offered a limited range of accessories, such as wireless earbuds, through its German website.
The company’s resurgence in Germany aligns with positive signs of recovery in the global smartphone market. According to tech research firm IDC, the industry is projected to experience 3.8% growth this year, driven in part by the continued adoption of 5G technology. IDC’s research director, Anthony Scarsella, highlighted 5G’s role as a bright spot in the market, with expectations of 20% growth in global 5G smartphone shipments for the year, up from 11% in 2023.
Chinese smartphone manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond their domestic market, where intense price competition prevails, to expand their global footprint. OnePlus’ return to Germany is particularly noteworthy in the context of Oppo and Nokia’s recent patent resolution. The cross-licensing agreement covers standard-essential patents in 5G and other cellular communication technologies, enabling Oppo to settle its pending patent litigation with Nokia across all jurisdictions.
This development is especially significant for OnePlus, as the company had ceased smartphone sales in Germany in August 2022 following a patent infringement lawsuit where Oppo lost to Nokia. The ruling by a regional court in Mannheim had effectively barred Oppo, and by extension OnePlus, from selling their smartphones in the country. Founded by former Oppo employees, including CEO Pete Lau, OnePlus has gained popularity in Western markets for its premium yet competitively priced smartphones.
While OnePlus resumes its operations in Germany, Oppo is still navigating legal challenges in the country. A Munich court recently ruled that Oppo infringed on the patents of US wireless and mobile technology company InterDigital, leading to an injunction against Oppo’s products. As the world’s fourth-largest smartphone vendor in 2023, Oppo faces the pressure of clearing up its patent disputes amidst stiff competition from other major Android handset manufacturers.
As the smartphone industry continues to evolve, OnePlus’ return to Germany and the resolution of Oppo’s patent disputes signal a significant chapter in the ongoing global smartphone market dynamics, with 5G technology playing a central role in shaping its future trajectory.
(Source: SCMP | Gizchina | GSM Arena)
