Samsung Could Face Less Competition if OnePlus Is Pushed Out of the US

Samsung could be facing less pressure in the US smartphone market soon. Not because of anything it’s doing, but because one of its main competitors is under scrutiny from Congress.

OnePlus’s loss could be Samsung’s major gain in the US

On Friday, Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to the Commerce Department (DOC), reports Reuters. In which, they asked the DOC to review whether OnePlus devices are collecting user data without permission. The lawmakers say a third-party analysis shared with their committee suggests that OnePlus phones may be sending personal data to servers located in China.

According to Reuters, OnePlus has not responded to these allegations yet, and the Commerce Department has not commented either. The request comes as the US continues to crack down on Chinese tech companies over security and privacy concerns.

OnePlus is owned by BBK Electronics, the same Chinese company behind Oppo and Realme. In the US, OnePlus phones are sold on Amazon and at Best Buy. OnePlus phones work with major carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, putting them in direct competition with Samsung and Google.

Samsung faces stiff competition from OnePlus in both flagship and foldable devices. While Samsung dominates the foldable market globally and in the US, competition has been growing, especially from Chinese counterparts.

If OnePlus comes under restrictions or loses consumer trust, Samsung stands to benefit the most. The US Android phone market is already limited. LG exited in 2021, and Huawei was effectively banned from selling phones in the US. That left Samsung, Google, and OnePlus to compete for Android users outside of Apple’s ecosystem.

Samsung has dominated the US Android space for years, especially in the flagship and midrange categories. OnePlus has remained a popular option for users who want high-end hardware without the premium price. If OnePlus phones are pulled from US shelves or experience a sales dip, Samsung could gain even more market share.