Bengaluru – In a significant move signalling a deeper commitment to the Indian gaming landscape, global technology brand OnePlus has officially announced its foray into the world of esports. The company revealed today its strategic partnerships with three prominent Indian esports teams: Gods Reign, K9, and Cincinnati Kids. This development underscores OnePlus’s ambition to cultivate a robust gaming-first ecosystem within the country.
The collaboration extends beyond mere sponsorship, with OnePlus emphasizing a comprehensive product integration strategy. This initiative will involve players providing direct, real-time feedback that is intended to influence the design and development of both current and future OnePlus devices. The goal is to incorporate authentic, on-the-ground insights from the demanding environment of mobile esports into their product creation process.
Through these partnerships, OnePlus aims to reinforce its focus on delivering high-performance devices, particularly in gaming scenarios where factors such as frame rates, thermal management, and sustained power are critical. The company’s involvement in esports appears to be a strategic effort to not only establish a presence but also to actively contribute to the sector’s evolution by aligning its product strategy with the expectations of gamers and the broader esports community.
As a tangible aspect of this collaboration, K9 and Cincinnati Kids will now compete under new banners: OnePlus K9 and OnePlus Cincinnati Kids, respectively. Gods Reign will also be known as OnePlus Gods Reign. This rebranding reflects a closer integration and a shared objective of providing smooth, high-performance gaming experiences to a wider audience.
Marcel Campos, Director of Product Strategy at OnePlus, stated that the company has consistently valued its community’s input, particularly from the gaming segment. He noted that this collaboration is a direct response to the community’s need for speed, performance, and reliability in their devices and represents an exciting step towards empowering the next generation of mobile esports athletes in India.
The OnePlus 13 Series, the company’s latest flagship lineup, is positioned as a key enabler for elevated mobile gaming experiences. The OnePlus 13 features the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the OnePlus 13R is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Both devices are engineered to deliver high performance and rapid graphics rendering, aiming for consistently smooth and responsive gameplay.
To address the challenges of sustained gaming sessions, the series incorporates a Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Cooling System designed to efficiently manage heat and prevent performance throttling. This thermal management system is intended to ensure optimal performance across various gaming scenarios, from fast-paced multiplayer battles to graphically intensive open-world games.
Powering the OnePlus 13 Series is a substantial 6,000mAh battery, complemented by 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging. This combination aims to provide extended playtime with minimal interruption for recharging. OnePlus is emphasizing the series’ blend of processing power, effective thermal management, and stable frame rates as key features for gamers who demand peak performance from their devices.
The partnered esports teams bring a wealth of experience and accolades to the collaboration:
- OnePlus Gods Reign: A Bangalore-based team with a strong track record in BGMI esports, including victories at BGIS and BGMS, and a runner-up position at BMPS. They recently won the ESL Snapdragon Pro Series in 2025.
- OnePlus K9: Recognized as a rapidly emerging BGMI team, K9 has demonstrated strong performance in community tournaments and secured podium finishes at events like the ESL BGMI Snapdragon Pro Series, Red Bull MEO, and BGIS.
- OnePlus Cincinnati Kids: An underdog team that gained significant recognition with a 7th-place finish at BGIS 2025, highlighting their resilience and passion for gaming.
This move by OnePlus signifies a notable investment in the burgeoning Indian esports market. The integration of player feedback into product development could provide OnePlus with a unique advantage in catering to the specific needs of mobile gamers. The success of these partnerships and the performance of the OnePlus 13 Series in the hands of professional esports athletes will be closely watched by the gaming community.
