OnePlus Flagships Now Include Bloatware: A Shift in Strategy?

OnePlus has carved a niche for itself in the smartphone market, offering high-end performance at competitive prices. Their recent flagships, the OnePlus 12 and the foldable OnePlus Open, have garnered praise for their design, power, and user-friendly software. However, a recent change in their software strategy has raised concerns among fans. Previously known for offering a clean and bloatware-free Android experience, OnePlus now seems to be experimenting with pre-installing third-party apps on their devices. This was first reported by Android Authority’s Aamir Siddiqui who noticed the bloatware on OnePlus Phones during the setup process.

OnePlus Flagships Now Include Bloatware: A Shift in Strategy?

While pre-installing sponsored apps is a common practice among some manufacturers, OnePlus appears to be taking a regionalized approach. Siddiqui’s investigation revealed that users in India are most affected, encountering up to four additional apps during setup. In contrast, users in the US see only one, while those in the EU see none at all.

The issue seems to be more pronounced with the foldable OnePlus Open. It reportedly comes with additional pre-installed apps that are more difficult to remove compared to those found on the OnePlus 12. These apps might not be easily uninstallable, unlike those from companies like Meta (formerly Facebook).

The presence of references to even more bloatware in the latest firmware suggests that the situation might worsen in the future. While some users might not be bothered by this change, others who value a clean and uncluttered Android experience will be disappointed.

OnePlus claims that the observed bloatware was part of a limited test and should have been rectified by May 6th. However, Siddiqui was able to replicate the issue even after this date. Whether OnePlus will permanently remove the bloatware or not remains unclear. This situation deserves monitoring to see if future updates address these concerns.

Pre-installing apps on budget devices is a common practice, often used to offset production costs. OnePlus acknowledges this with their Nord series, where bloatware is present due to the lower price point. However, the inclusion of bloatware on their high-end flagships raises questions about the company’s future direction. Should premium users expect a clean software experience or will bloatware become a permanent fixture on OnePlus devices? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.