OnePlus confirms in an announcement that its customers can now purchase the OnePlus One smartphone even without receiving an invite from the company. This means that customers who have been wanting to get their hands on the device but had to wait for an invite can now easily make their purchase any time of the day, any day of the year.
The OnePlus One smartphone retails at $299 for the 16 GB version and at $349 for the 64 GB. Since it was launched a year ago, it has been known to be an Android device with premium specs and an incredibly low price point. However, it hasn't been that easy for users to get their own device as the company adopted an invite-only scheme. These invites are usually sent in conjunction with special promotions. Customers who are lucky enough to receive an invite and eventually make a purchase are then able to send out invites to their friends.
In February, OnePlus launched its "Tuesday" sale, in which customers can purchase the smartphone within 24 hours every Tuesday. The invite-system is still observed on the remaining six days.
In March, the company made the OnePlus One smartphone available to customers in the European Union, making its total launch markets reaching more than 30.
The invite-only scheme is the company's strategy that they believe can help in managing the customers' level of interest since they are provided information on a new product that's made by a new company. Additionally, the company believes that it will help in generating added attention from folks in the tech industry.
"We are opening up sales globally for everyone, every day of the week," says OnePlus on its blog post. "We have always wanted to put great products into the hands of more people."
OnePlus also announced that it is launching the second generation OnePlus device in the third quarter of 2015. Rumored to feature a metal frame and a pricier retail figure, the next generation model will revert to the original invite-only sales scheme.
"The OnePlus 2 will bring the challenges that come along with a brand new product, and initially, our invite system will help us to manage that risk. It also helps us to be sure that every OnePlus 2 user gets the amazing experience that they deserve."
