Seems like handset maker OnePlus is ready to foray into a new category as it has quietly teased a speaker with a novel design in a half-page ad in a newspaper. OnePlus has not teased or revealed any information about the speaker as yet and the upcoming speaker was spotted, courtesy of the ad in the Times Of India. OnePlus has surprised with a teaser ad for a new speaker with a fully transparent design, similar to what Nothing has been doing with its products. This development comes with no prior leaks or rumours.
The half-page ad showcases the transparent OnePlus speaker alongside captions that read: "Got the music in you?" and "The wonder of music meets the power of tech".
The advertisement was placed on page 19 in the sports section.
The speaker, as seen in the ad, features a transparent design revealing the internal mechanics, a departure from OnePlus' typical style. This clear design is unexpected, as it aligns more with the aesthetics commonly associated with Nothing, a company founded by Carl Pei, OnePlus' co-founder who moved on in 2020. This could mark the company's venture into the speaker segment, which would be a first for OnePlus. The brand has primarily focused on wireless earbuds and earphones within the audio category so far.
While the exact size assessment of the speaker is difficult, the absence of a carrying handle and the delicate finish (which is likely polycarbonate or acrylic) suggests that the speaker is not designed for portable or rugged use. Additionally, the presence of a metal base or stand is noticeable in the ad.
Meanwhile, the handset maker is also readying the sequel to OnePlus Watch 1, the purported OnePlus Watch 2. In 2021, OnePlus launched its inaugural smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch 1, marking a notable debut in the wearable market. Featuring a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, and a range of other functionalities, it garnered much attention. Recent initial leaks suggest that the forthcoming OnePlus Watch 2 may make use of Wear OS.
The new OnePlus smartwatch appears to feature a metal chassis, accompanied by a pair of buttons positioned on the right side of the dial. Additionally, it will offer simple rubber straps, available in two colour choices: black and white.