The OnePlus 8 launch event is set to be an online-only event this year, due to Coronavirus concerns. This is according to a post on Weibo, as well as a source of 9to5Google’s.
Coronavirus has already wreaked havoc on the smartphone industry, after having the GSMA cancel the biggest smartphone trade show of the year. And other manufacturers are getting hit with manufacturing delays, causing delays in announcing their new smartphones. And now, it looks like it’s forcing more launch events to be online-only.
Typically, OnePlus will do its first launch of the year as one you can attend in person, with the second one (usually for the „T” series) being online only. Or a live event in India. But due to the Coronavirus, it appears that it’ll be online only now.
This isn’t the first time OnePlus has done online-only events
In the early days of OnePlus, it only did online-only events. And that was mostly because it was a „startup” and didn’t have a boatload of money like some of its competitors, Samsung, LG, Sony and others.
Though, recently it has moved to doing more live events, including the OnePlus 7 Pro event being live in New York City last year. Giving the media and its fans a chance to come check out the new phone and see what’s new with the latest OnePlus device.
But that won’t be happening this year. It’ll be a stream, likely on YouTube, for everyone to watch.
Though, we still don’t have a clue as to when the event is going to happen. And due to the Coronavirus, it could be delayed as well. As we have seen other smartphone makers have to delay their launches due to this health concern. Not just because of the MWC cancellation, but because their phone wasn’t being manufactured since China was shut down longer than expected, after the Chinese New Year.
Whether it’s online or an actual physical event, many won’t even care. Many are more interested in seeing what OnePlus has up their sleeves for the OnePlus 8. We’ve been hearing rumors that it’ll be IP68 water resistant this time, with an actual rating. And that it’ll have wireless charging. Two features that OnePlus has really steered clear of in recent years, because it costs more money and it wants to keep its phone prices lower than the competition.
The OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are bound to be contenders for phone of the year, though.
The post OnePlus 8 Launch Will Reportedly Be Online Only Due To Coronavirus appeared first on Android Headlines.

Source: ndroidheadlines.com