OnePlus Retreats from the West, Launches Ultra-Budget N6x in India
Just as OnePlus fans in Europe and North America were grappling with the brand’s impending exit, the company has unveiled the N6x, a remarkably affordable Android mid-ranger aimed squarely at the Indian market. The move underscores OnePlus’s shifting focus, leaving many to wonder what this means for its future global ambitions.
A Notch and a 7,000mAh Battery: A Blast from the Past
The OnePlus N6x arrives with a design that feels distinctly familiar—and not in a good way. It features a waterdrop-style notch, a throwback to older smartphone designs that most manufacturers have abandoned. While the 6.8-inch display isn’t significantly taller or wider than its predecessor, the Nord 6, the 5MP front-facing camera housed within that notch feels like a considerable compromise. The rear camera is equally modest, a 13MP sensor that hardly screams flagship performance.
Under the hood, the N6x is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6360 Apex processor paired with 4GB of RAM. Storage options include 64GB and 128GB variants, expandable via a microSD card slot. Running Android 16 with OxygenOS 16, the phone also boasts MIL-STD-810H durability and IP64 water and dust resistance.
The real draw, however, is the massive 7,000mAh battery. OnePlus promises a staggering 2.5 days of battery life under normal usage, translating to over 20 hours of video streaming, 25 hours of social media browsing, and a remarkable 133 hours of music playback. While charging speeds are a less impressive 15W, the company touts “segment-leading” battery health and a smooth user experience.
The phone is available in Burgundy Red and Ice Blue color options, and its robust build quality is a welcome surprise at this price point.
An Unbeatable Value Proposition in India
Priced starting at Rs. 18,999 ($199) on the official OnePlus India website, and even lower at Rs. 17,499 ($183) on Amazon.in, the N6x represents an exceptional value. It undercuts competitors like Samsung's Galaxy A17 5G, which offers a smaller battery and a higher price tag. This aggressive pricing strategy clearly signals OnePlus’s commitment to the Indian market, even as it scales back its presence elsewhere. The N6x’s arrival will undoubtedly spark envy among Android enthusiasts in the US and Europe, who are facing dwindling options and rising prices.
While the N6x may not be destined for Western shores, its existence serves as a stark reminder of the diverging paths of smartphone manufacturers, and the growing importance of emerging markets like India.