OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei has reportedly left the company to start his own venture

[Shawn Knight]

Editor's take: Carl Pei, one of the founders of Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus, reportedly left the company in recent weeks to start his own venture. With such a busy schedule to round out 2020, one has to wonder about the circumstances around Pei’s departure and why he didn’t wait until after the upcoming launches to check out.

The publication said two sources confirmed the matter, adding that Pei no longer appears in OnePlus’ most recent organizational chart. No reason was given for his departure.

Pei, along with co-founder Pete Lau, started OnePlus in late 2013 after having previously worked together at Oppo. Over the years, they managed to grow the brand into a major force in the mobile industry, largely by initially targeting enthusiasts with low-priced phones featuring powerful hardware.

Android Central cited internal company memos that have surfaced on Reddit as well as a report from TechCrunch claiming Pei left to start his own venture. TechCrunch stopped short of saying what the new venture would be, but noted that Pei had “clarity on what he wishes to do next.”

This time round, #UltraStopsAtNothing. Are you ready for the #OnePlus8T?

— OnePlus (@oneplus) September 21, 2020

OnePlus is scheduled to unveil its next smartphone, the OnePlus 8T, later this week and perhaps as many as two Nord Series phones by year’s end.

Masthead credit Android Authority

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https://www.techspot.com/news/87089-oneplus-co-founder-carl-pei-has-reportedly-left.html

 

[SixTymes]

I hope he's OK?

 

[Uncle Al]

In most cases it boils down to a power struggle and one party either being forced out or bought out .... eventually the details will emerge .....

 

[p51d007]

Maybe he'll "start up" (ie: Oppo/BK Electronics) a new site, with "cheap" stuff, then increase the price with each model until it's up there in the "flagship" category. Like they did with OnePlus.

 

[OutlawCecil]

I imagine some employees at OnePlus disagreed with the idea of creeping up prices to see what people are comfortable paying like they are. I'd wager money this guy left to start his own company and attempt to keep premium phones at low prices, just enough to make a bit of profit and keep going (minus the greed)