OnePlus Partners with McLaren, Likely for a Limited Edition Smartphone

On Nov. 27, Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus announced a new partnership with automobile manufacturer McLaren on a mysterious project. The two will unveil the first stage of the collaboration on December 11, 2018 at the ‘Salute to Speed’ launch event to be held at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK.

The partnership incorporates both McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing, one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history. According to OnePlus, the pairing is a “long-term technology partnership”, but no further information is disclosed at this moment.

“McLaren and OnePlus were born in a similar way – with a big dream to create something special. Starting from nothing, we challenged ourselves to never settle. Today we unveil a true testament to innovation, a salute to speed,” said OnePlus CEO Pete Lau.

Joining forces will enable both companies to unlock a new long-term technology partnership. Although details of the partnership still remain a mystery, previous OnePlus collaborations with other brands suggest a high possibility that a McLaren-branded limited edition OnePlus device—perhaps a limited edition OnePlus 6T or even OnePlus 7—will be released.

SEE ALSO: OnePlus Unveils Newest Flagship the OnePlus 6T in New York

Prior to the partnership with McLaren, OnePlus has formed partnership with Parisian retailer colette back in 2017 to produce the OnePlus 3T x colette 20th Anniversary Edition. By working with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, OnePlus launched the OnePlus 5 x JCC+Limited Edition “Callection” of colorful gear and technology. Also, in 2017, to celebrate its anniversary in India, OnePlus released the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Limited Edition.

In April this year, OnePlus announced a partnership with Marvel Studios to launch the OnePlus 6 x Marvel Avengers Limited Edition, paying tribute to the greatest lineup of superheroes.

“The OnePlus brand is synonymous with speed and power, two values that McLaren likewise strives to deliver with every car we build,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. “Bringing together the inventive, pioneering spirit shared by both OnePlus and McLaren is a firm statement of intent to leverage our collective powers and break new ground for innovative ideas and technology.”

Featured photo credit to OnePlus