OnePlus, a nascent smartphone company, ran a lengthy campaign to create hype for its first smartphone. Even after the official announcement that campaign continued. Without actually revealing when units will hit the market it launched a contest inviting people to smash their existing phones. 100 random people would then be selected and allowed to buy the OnePlus One for $1 only. Looks like units have already been shipped out to some but without retail packaging, a SIM ejector tool and even an official charger.
The company wasn’t entirely clear in explaining the contest rules. Some poor rules smashed their phones without even being fully aware of eligibility requirements. OnePlus then told them not to smash phones but to donate them to charity instead, which come to think of it should have been the way to go from the start.
Anyhow, reportedly these units come with a signed “thank you” card from OnePlus CEO Pete Lau. Looks like the company shipped off these units even before the retail boxes were ready. That would explain the absence of a charger and SIM ejector tool, but hey, no one else is getting a signed note from the CEO!
Those who receive these units will be able to use any pin or ejector tool to pop open the SIM tray. Moreover any microUSB cable can be used to charge the device, its unclear if the company will send the contest winners official chargers some time in the near future.
Filed in . Read more about OnePlus and OnePlus One.
