China-based Android smartphone maker OnePlus has announced something of a surprise today — it’s launching a case for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s.
The $20 black sandstone cover brings the distinctive rear casing of both the OnePlus One and OnePlus 2, which launched a few months back, to Apple’s smartphone.
The rear panel of the OnePlus phones has a texture a little like sandpaper, and is designed to not only feel pleasant, but to be easier to hold onto, compared to other slicker devices on the market.
Above: OnePlus iPhone Case
Today’s news comes a week after OnePlus began offering refunds for USB Type-C cables, following criticism from a Google engineer that they do not meet the required specifications. One day later, OnePlus launched a new line of $50 “premium” earphones.
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It’s not entirely clear whether iPhone users will be willing to spend $20 on a case from a company that’s synonymous with high-spec, low-cost Android phones, but OnePlus seems to think that there will be some demand for the case in the U.S., Europe, and India, where it can be purchased online now (free shipping, too).
The company also hopes that, as we’re coming up to Christmas, some ardent OnePlus fans may buy these covers as cheeky little gifts for their iPhone-toting friends. It said:
“For us and for many of you, Sandstone represents something bigger. Maybe you know someone who just went out and bought the latest iPhone. Maybe you were this close to getting them to see your side of things. This is your chance to leave your exasperation at the door and just show them what they’re missing.”
In an interview with VentureBeat last month, OnePlus cofounder Carl Pei revealed he was an iPhone-user prior to starting his current company, and he was complimentary when speaking about Apple’s products. Now, he’s trying to tempt other iPhone users over to the “dark side” by letting them experience what it’s like to hold a OnePlus phone in their hands.
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