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The OnePlus One is the first smartphone released by OnePlus, a Chinese company founded by Pete Lau and Carl Pei. It was announced in 2014 and released later that year. Developed with support from Oppo’s supply chain, it aimed to deliver high-end hardware at a price far lower than competing flagship devices.

The device features a 5.5-inch 1080p LTPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core at 2.5 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, and storage options of 16 GB or 64 GB. It lacks a microSD expansion. The design includes a textured sandstone back. The camera is a 13 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 lens, and a 5 MP front camera. The battery capacity is 3100 mAh.

Software-wise, the OnePlus One shipped with Cyanogen OS, based on Android 4.4 KitKat, and was marketed with a developer-friendly experience. In 2015, OnePlus began offering OxygenOS, a close-to-stock ROM developed in-house, after Cyanogen Inc. ended its license. The phone became known for strong community support and openness to custom ROMs.

Market strategy and reception centered on an invite-based purchasing system intended to manage demand while maintaining a low price. Pricing started at $299 for the 16 GB model and $349 for the 64 GB model. Reviewers praised the device for its value, build quality, and camera performance at the time, while criticisms focused on limited availability due to invites and early software quirks.

Legacy-wise, the OnePlus One helped establish OnePlus as a value-focused brand and set the template for its subsequent smartphones. It popularized a market approach that emphasized aggressive pricing, iterative software updates, and a strong community presence under the “Never Settle” banner.