OnePlus 81 Pro mechanical keyboard review
A mechanical keyboard is an odd addition to the OnePlus product line by virtually any measure. OnePlus is a phone maker first and foremost. Always has been and likely always will be. Since 2014, the company has made its name as the producer of thoughtfully considered Android handsets at non-premium prices. Diversification is, of course, inevitable. It’s the smart move — particularly with the industry’s struggles over the last several years.
Earbuds are a logical next step. So, too, are budget handsets, as the company looks toward emerging markets for further expansion. It’s hard to say how much of the company’s road map was influenced by OnePlus’s absorption into long-time investor Oppo, though many of the products were no doubt already on the roadmap. That likely includes the company’s tablet and foldable.
OnePlus’ Featuring is an altogether different beast. The company describes the program thusly: “OnePlus Featuring is a brand new platform that consistently brings powerful, co-created outcomes to OnePlus users. By introducing industry-leading products into new categories, OnePlus Featuring addresses the diverse technology needs of users, bringing transformational products into a broader global market.”
Image Credits: Brian Heater
The program appears to be an attempt for OnePlus to reconnect with its roots. One of the defining characteristics of the company’s earliest days was the savvy way which it engaged with and leveraged an extremely loyal fanbase. However, as is often the case when companies expand and navigate new management, much of that early magic gets lost in the mix.
Products begin life over at Power of Community — a kind of crowdsourced hardware design page. It’s a wide-ranging bunch. Current projects include a
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