OnePlus forced to move 6T launch date because of Apple’s event

Everyone knows OnePlus as the scrappy Chinese company that makes flagship Android phones and sells them for hundreds of dollars less than, say, Samsung’s Galaxy phones or Google’s Pixels.

OnePlus’s highly anticipated next-generation flagship phone, the 6T, was originally supposed to launch on Oct. 30, but now the company has moved the event date to Oct. 29, no doubt because another tech behemoth is also holding a product launch event on Oct. 30. (We’re looking at you Apple.)

If that’s not a true commitment to its biggest fans, we’re not sure what is.

Besides the potential awkwardness of having less press at its launch event because they’d have to choose between OnePlus and Apple, sticking to the original date would have meant the 6T news being swallowed up by Apple’s expected new iPad launch.

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau shared a forum post explaining in detail why they’ve moved the launch up. The short of it is: “Our goal is to make sure [the 6T] gets the time and attention it deserves.”

“When we announced the launch of the OnePlus 6T on October 8, we were convinced our timing would allow us to maximize the amount of people we could reach with our message,” says Lau.
That changed when Apple announced they would be hosting their own event on October 30.”

Lau says the company spoke to some press and were told they’d be “overshadowed by Apple” if they stuck to their original launch date.

Potentially lost press coverage and attendance aside, he pays respect to OnePlus’s community, offering full refunds to anyone who has been inconvenienced by the change and can’t make it.

“Everyone who owns a ticket will be able to apply for a full refund for their ticket,” says Lau. “If you’re still able to join our event, first of all: Thank you! We will cover any costs you might incur to change your plans. If you need to pay to move your flight, we’ve got your back. Same goes for those of you who booked a hotel or made other arrangements. Our team will be getting in touch with all ticket owners individually to help you out.”

OnePlus’s launch date change is one of the few times any company has openly acknowledged it’d be overshadowed by Apple. It’s the company recognizing its current place in the industry and not letting arrogance cloud its products or messaging.

The new launch event will kick off on Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. ET.