Market observers have been pointing out how OnePlus manages to release its flagship smartphones with designs and features resembling Apple’s iPhones. It is now being pointed out that in the case of the OnePlus 5, the cloning effect appears too obvious and has been taken to another level completely. It is also pertinent to point out here that Apple is already fighting legal battles with arch rival Samsung on patent violation issues.
One critic has posted images of the two phones, the OnePlus 5 and the iPhone 7 Plus, side by side to show how they appear almost the same with the dual camera setup in the rear panel the flash and the microphone at the bottom of the panel and so on. Even the logo placement appears similar.
Another critic has gone on to list every smartphone released by OnePlus from OnePlus 2 had a few things common to the corresponding Apple phones and what is interesting is that the company’s reactions to customer complaints have also started resembling the way Apple deals with issues raised on their phones and other products.
To one such complaint, the company squarely blamed the customer back, almost the same way as Apple had done on a few occasions in the past. Reference is also being made to the way the OnePlus series phones turn out better products every alternate year, something people accused Apple of doing.
This is why the question is being raised on the level to which the company can go to copy the Cupertino-based tech giant.
To drive home this point, some of the issues raised after the OnePlus 5 was officially released on the June 22 in India relate to the Wi-Fi not working properly and there were also camera related issues. There were even comments on the social media by some buyers who felt they would not like to be seen carrying a cloned device or a copycat product.
However, when confronted with such comments and questions, the CEO of OnePlus didn’t seem worried and replied that they are used to such remarks being made with their products all the time.
However, Apple is yet to react to any of these instances. Probably the company feels it may end up giving undue publicity to a competitor, who is not really a competitor. Or perhaps Apple believes in the old dictum imitation is a form of flattery!