OnePlus is a popular Chinese mobile brand that was founded on December 16, 2013. It belongs to BBK Electronics, arguably one of the largest manufacturers of smartphones and home appliances in China. The brand has clocked phenomenal sales all over the world, thanks to its top-quality features and hardware. The visual identity of OnePlus has changed twice since its inception, albeit in a subtle way. The logo features intense colours and clean geometric shapes, which appear quite stylish. The article delves into the transformation of the OnePlus logo over the years.
The Genesis of the OnePlus Logo (2013–2020)
The OnePlus brand was established in December 2013 by Pete Lau, who was a former vice president of OPPO. The mission of the brand was to create high-quality smartphones at competitive prices. The original logo featured a horizontally-oriented rectangular design with a striking red and white colour scheme. The left side displayed a bold red numeric “1” enclosed in a square frame with a white background.
Besides, there was a “+” symbol on the top right corner of the square frame, which appeared to be disjointed. On the other hand, the right side showcased the word “OnePlus” in uppercase letters against a solid red background. The design emphasised clarity and modernity, with the “One” part of the name appearing bolder than “Plus” to symbolise the brand’s commitment to innovation and quality.
(2020 – Present)
In 2020, OnePlus unveiled a refined version of its logo to mark the most significant update since its inception. The redesign retained the original colour palette but modernised the elements for a more cohesive and recognisable image. The square frame around the numeric “1” was accentuated, and the digit itself was re-stylized in a more contemporary font. The right side of the logo was changed to a white background, with the “OnePlus” text redrawn in a heavier sans-serif font. This has enhanced the legibility and visual impact of the logo.
This updated logo aimed to reinforce the brand’s visual identity while remaining true to its roots. The changes included a more prominent plus sign, which fostered a stronger connection to the OnePlus community. It reflected the growth and evolution of the company within the competitive smartphone market. The new visual identity also introduced a broader colour palette by incorporating secondary colours like cyan, green, magenta, indigo, and yellow. This enhanced the vibrancy and appeal of the brand across various digital platforms.
The Elements of the OnePlus Logo
Font
The OnePlus logo features a bold and contemporary uppercase wordmark in a geometric sans-serif typeface. The characters are confidently executed, with thick strokes and crisp, distinct outlines. Although the fonts are not exact matches, they are similar to the ones used in this emblem, such as Nimbus Sans D Bold and Helvetica Bold.
Colour
The OnePlus visual identity employs a striking colour scheme of scarlet-red and white. This vibrant combination conveys a sense of innovation, progress, and dynamism. The prominent use of red in the logo gives the brand a powerful and distinctive appearance. It has helped it stand out among competitors.
The History of OnePlus
OnePlus is a Chinese smartphone and accessory brand that was established on December 16th, 2013 by Pete Lau, a former Vice President of OPPO. It operates as a subsidiary of BBK Electronics, which is one of the largest Chinese electronics manufacturers. The primary objective of the brand is to expand the products of BBK Electronics beyond China.
The debut smartphone of the company, the OnePlus One, was launched in April 2014. It garnered positive reviews from both critics and consumers and competed well with costly alternatives despite a less impressive camera. A key selling point was its CyanogenMod operating system. However, this led to legal issues in India, where Micromax held exclusive rights to the Cyanogen brand. This resulted in a temporary sales ban and update restrictions for OnePlus One devices.
OnePlus 2, unveiled on July 28, 2015, received a mixed response. While its specifications matched those of other flagship smartphones, its design and additional features sparked some debate. Later that year, in October, the company introduced the mid-range OnePlus X.
In 2016, OnePlus released two flagship models: the OnePlus 3 in June, followed by the OnePlus 3T just five months later. Notably, the company skipped the number 4 in its naming convention due to Chinese superstitions associating it with bad luck. Instead, they announced the OnePlus 5 in the summer 2017. OnePlus maintains a rapid product release cycle and consistently integrates cutting-edge technologies into each new smartphone model. This strategy helps the brand stay competitive in the fast-paced mobile device market.
Interesting Facts About OnePlus
- OnePlus is a subsidiary of OPPO.
- The name means the brand is “one step ahead” of its competitors.
- In OnePlus, “One” means the user, and “Plus” means the user will recommend it to others.
- It uses a custom OS called CyanogenMod, based on the Android operating system.
- The CEO of OnePlus, Pete Lau, sent the first 5G tweet in the world in August 2018.
- The company holds the Guiness World Record for unboxing a phone by the maximum number of people at the launch of the OnePlus 6T.
- Introduced the term “flagship killer” to indicate a flagship-quality phone with a killer price.
- OnePlus phones come with the best-in-class form factors and hardware.
- Offers extended protection plans even after the expiry of the standard warranty period.
Finally
Since the inception of the company in 2013, the OnePlus logo has evolved from a straightforward design to a more sophisticated and modern representation of the brand. This evolution reflects the commitment of OnePlus to innovation and its dedication to creating a strong connection with its user community.