OnePlus Switches to a Virtual Pop-up Event for the Upcoming OnePlus 8 Series

OnePlus lets its fans get their hands on the latest OnePlus releases, right after the launch event, through something called ‘pop-up’ events. Typically, these events are held in physical venues. But on account of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, OnePlus is switching to a virtual pop-up event for the soon-to-be-announced OnePlus 8 series.

“As a part of the OnePlus Online Pop-up experience, users can visit the OnePlus official website and be the first to purchase and own the device of their choice from the OnePlus 8 series,” says OnePlus in a press release. Following the official launch on April 14, the Chinese manufacturer will ship customers their devices along with OnePlus extras inside a limited edition ‘special pop-up box’. 

The press release doesn’t detail what those addons might be, but Android Authority reports that among the extras could be a phone case, sketchbook, and OnePlus stickers. It does warn that the pop-up stock will be limited, and it will be on sale on a first-come-first-serve basis throughout Europe.

The OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro duo is rumored to be joined by a ‘Lite’ edition and Bullets Wireless Z earbuds. You can catch the live-stream of the event at 9 pm on April 14. 

To recall, a Snapdragon 865 chipset will power the flagship series, with support for 5G connectivity, and next-gen UFS 3.0 storage and LPDDR5 RAM. OnePlus has lopped off the notched design and replaced it with a punch hole that rests in the top-left corner of the screen.  The bezels have been shaved off further, and the screen refresh rate bumped up to 120Hz (which should translate into smoother animations and enhanced UI).

OnePlus is introducing a host of new color options with this iteration, but given the integrated 5G support, the OnePlus 8 series will cost more than its predecessors. That being said, it won’t retail for more than $1000, as per the CEO Pete Lau.