Oppo/OnePlus merger is getting more real by the day

When the Oppo/OnePlus merger was announced earlier this year, fans were worried about the potential negative consequences. However, it seems that OPPO, particularly its staff roll, is now bearing the brunt of the deal.

According to a new report by Bloomberg citing “people familiar with the matter,” OPPO is shedding 20% of its staff from its ColorOS software development, smartwatch, and audio product teams based in China. The move is seemingly addressing several staffing redundancies after its integration with OnePlus. Compounding this lengthier staff list is a brewing economic slowdown in China due to the global chipset shortage and fresh restrictions in response to the pandemic.

While OPPO is making cuts in key software and wearables teams, it’s notable that its smartphone hardware division remains untouched. It’s largely understandable, too, given the company’s positie global performance.

More reading: OnePlus and OPPO merger — Should you be excited or worried?

OPPO became the biggest OEM in China in January 2021, outselling its sibling brand vivo and long-term Chinese leader HUAWEI. Its push into Europe has also seen some success. Its market share in the region grew 82% in 2020, shipping 6.5 million units within the same period. However, OPPO has also struggled to break into key regions like North America, where OnePlus sees more success.

Bloomberg‘s sources note that OPPO’s research and development teams beyond China have “yet” to be impacted by staff shedding. It’s unclear if more job cuts are likely or if OPPO is willing to weather the storm in international regions. Nevertheless, it seems that the biggest loser in the OPPO and OnePlus merger may not be the companies’ fans, but their staff.