OnePlus Retreats from West, Launches Ultra-Budget N6x for India
Just as OnePlus fans were grappling with the brand's impending exit from the US and European markets, a new development has emerged: the launch of the OnePlus N6x, a remarkably affordable Android mid-ranger specifically targeting the Indian market. This move underscores a strategic shift for the company, prioritizing emerging markets even as it scales back operations in established regions.
A Notch and a 7,000mAh Battery: A Throwback Device
The OnePlus N6x arrives with a design that feels distinctly reminiscent of older Android handsets. Its most striking feature – or perhaps, its most glaring throwback – is the presence of a waterdrop-style notch. While the dimensions remain comparable to the larger OnePlus N6, the 5MP front-facing camera housed within the notch feels underwhelming in today’s landscape. The rear camera fares little better, sporting a modest 13MP sensor.
Under the hood, the device is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6360 Apex processor paired with 4GB of RAM and storage options of either 64GB or 128GB, expandable via a microSD card slot. It runs on Android 16 with OxygenOS 16. However, the real draw of the N6x lies in its colossal 7,000mAh battery. OnePlus promises a staggering 2.5 days of battery life on a single charge under normal usage, translating to over 20 hours of video streaming and an impressive 133 hours of music playback.
Despite the low-resolution 6.8-inch LCD screen (1570 x 720 pixels) and 120Hz refresh rate, the device boasts a surprisingly robust build, featuring IP64 water and dust resistance and MIL-STD-810H durability, capable of withstanding 25 consecutive drops onto marble surfaces – a strangely specific claim.
The N6x’s value proposition is undeniably compelling. Priced at a starting price of Rs. 18,999 ($199) on the OnePlus India website, and even lower at Rs. 17,499 ($183) on Amazon.in, it undercuts competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy A17 5G, which offers a smaller battery at a higher price point. This aggressive pricing strategy signals OnePlus's intent to solidify its position in the Indian market, even as it diminishes its presence elsewhere.
The move raises questions about OnePlus’s long-term strategy and whether the brand’s focus will increasingly shift towards regions where cost-effective devices like the N6x can gain significant traction. For Android enthusiasts in the US and Europe, the N6x serves as a stark reminder of what they are losing as OnePlus pivots its business model.