OnePlus Faces Backlash Over Vouchers Replacing Faulty Product Warranties

OnePlus is reportedly drawing consumer ire in the European Union by allegedly refusing to honor mandatory two-year warranties. Instead of providing new products for devices that have failed within the warranty period, the company is said to be offering €100 vouchers. However, these vouchers are reportedly proving useless for affected customers, sparking significant user frustration and accusations of violating warranty promises.

Recent reports surfaced on Reddit, where multiple OnePlus owners shared their negative experiences when seeking warranty service. One user, identified as DrSanchez87, attempted to get a replacement for their OnePlus Buds Pro 2, which ceased functioning before their warranty expired. Another user, rubeck1s, sought a replacement for a 120W SuperVOOC fast charger that had also failed. In both instances, OnePlus allegedly offered a €100 voucher as compensation rather than a direct product replacement, citing that the original items were either discontinued or no longer available for purchase.

Vouchers with Limited Utility

The core of the customer dissatisfaction stems from the purported inability to use these €100 vouchers effectively. Reports indicate that OnePlus has minimal stock across various product categories. Furthermore, the vouchers cannot be applied to items already on sale, and the company allegedly does not permit combining them with existing promotional offers. The vouchers are exclusively for online store purchases and cannot be redeemed in physical stores or used toward future repairs. Adding to the limitations, they carry a short validity period of just one month, severely restricting their practical utility for consumers.

One particularly incensed customer stated their intention to file a formal complaint with the European Consumer Center, citing deception and a refusal to honor warranty obligations. Such actions, if found to contravene European consumer protection laws, could expose OnePlus to substantial fines.

This situation follows broader rumors about OnePlus scaling back its operations in Europe. The company has reportedly been directing customers toward its parent company, OPPO, for new device purchases. While this pivot may align with a strategy to focus on markets where it holds a stronger presence, like India and China, it appears to be alienating existing European customers by allegedly reneging on warranty commitments. Recent reports also suggest that OnePlus is streamlining its product lines and potentially phasing out its OxygenOS entirely, further blurring the lines with OPPO's offerings.