Carl Pei Leaves OnePlus to Launch New Venture

Carl Pei, the co-founder of the prominent smartphone manufacturer OnePlus – a company he helped establish in his twenties – has departed from his role, as reported by two individuals with knowledge of the situation to TechCrunch.

Pei was a key figure in the design and development of the OnePlus smartphone series throughout its history, notably including the recent OnePlus Nord, which has become the company’s most successful product to date. Beyond OnePlus’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China, Pei frequently served as the public representative for the firm, participating in industry events, engaging with the customer base, and conducting interviews with news outlets.

During OnePlus’s initial phase, Pei developed a range of marketing approaches to effectively position the company’s offerings and generate excitement around them. In 2014 and 2015, when OnePlus faced challenges in meeting product demand, the company implemented a system of invitations and other innovative marketing tactics, even including a campaign where customers were asked to dismantle their existing phones to purchase a new OnePlus device.

In those early years, Pei primarily stayed in budget-friendly accommodations in China and India to gain a deeper understanding of the market and facilitate travel to various cities. Today, OnePlus stands as a leading premium smartphone provider in India and numerous other regions.

“We were lacking in formal product management expertise. We compensated for our inexperience with dedication and long working hours,” Pei stated in a previous discussion. He further elaborated on the company’s formative years and the current state of the smartphone industry during his appearance at Disrupt 2019.

At one point, he even made a public appeal to Samsung, expressing his desire to gain experience in overseeing operations and supply chain management. “Samsung, I have a proposition for you: allow me to intern with your company. I would genuinely appreciate the opportunity to learn from your team about how you’ve achieved such successful scaling, operation, and management,” he posted on his personal blog.

Pei initially connected with Pete Lau in 2012 via social media. The two subsequently launched OnePlus a year later. “He expressed a desire to make a significant impact on the world. I recognized his genuine ambition and drive. I believe he possesses a strong determination,” Lau recalled in a 2015 interview.

Prior to the creation of OnePlus, Pei collaborated with a friend to sell generic, rebranded MP3 players within China.

Pei, age 31, is not pursuing a position with Samsung, but has a clear vision for his future endeavors. He is establishing a new independent venture, according to a source familiar with the matter. Pei did not offer a response to a request for comment on Monday morning.

OnePlus has not yet provided a statement in response to a request for comment.