In India, the business landscape can be as intricate and competitive as nowhere else— a fact highlighted by a recent social media post shedding light on an intriguing phenomenon in the trimmer market. The post reveals that the “OnePlus” brand trimmers, surprisingly absent any connection to the well-known Chinese electronics giant OnePlus, have surged to become the third largest trimmer brand on an Indian e-commerce platform and possibly the tenth largest in the country overall.
Holding an estimated 3-4% market share, it means on average, one out of every 25 trimmers sold in India carries the “OnePlus” name.
A One plus trimmer on Flipkart:
The Story Behind the Brand
The twist here is that these trimmers are not manufactured, marketed, or affiliated with the Chinese OnePlus—a powerhouse known globally especially for premium smartphones and consumer electronics. Instead, this “OnePlus” brand belongs to a company based out of Indore’s bustling Cloth market. This Indian company spotted a unique market opportunity: the name “One Plus” was not registered as a trademark in the trimmer product category in India. Seizing this gap, they built a thriving business riding on the brand recall of the renowned name.
As the post aptly summarizes, the Chinese OnePlus draws in customers into the sales funnel with its global recognition, while the Indore-based business captures the market opportunity at a different level by selling trimmers under this impactful brand name.
Check out the post on Linkedin:
Trademark and Legal Angle: A Grey Area in Indian Markets
This kind of brand usage, leveraging an unregistered or differently registered trademark, is not unheard of in India’s vast and diverse commercial landscape. Trademark law in India protects registered trademarks within the exact product or service categories they are filed under, but gaps remain where popular brand names go unregistered in specific categories.
There have been multiple instances where local businesses have capitalized on these gaps—selling products adopting famous brand names in categories the original brand hasn’t yet registered or operated in. This can create confusion among consumers and occasionally leads to legal disputes once the original brand notices and challenges the usage.
Indian courts have often stressed the importance of distinctiveness and consumer perception when adjudicating such cases. While registered trademarks get strong protection, unregistered or loosely related trademarks occupy a complex legal space requiring fact-specific analysis, leading to ongoing debates and enforcement struggles.
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OnePlus: The Brand Behind the Name
To appreciate this phenomenon fully, it’s worth noting the stature of the real OnePlus. Founded in 2013, OnePlus has become a global smartphone powerhouse renowned for delivering high-quality, premium devices at competitive prices. Their latest flagship model, the OnePlus 12, released in mid-2025, has received praise for its design, camera prowess, and performance enhancements.
Financially, OnePlus continues to grow in India, its second-largest market after China. Shipments in India in 2024 rose by nearly 30%, and the brand is aggressively preparing for the 5G era, enhancing software ecosystems and partnerships, further cementing its loyal user base.
The Bigger Picture
This story reveals a curious side of India’s market dynamics: the coexistence of global brand presence with nimble local entrepreneurship adept at spotting regulatory or market gaps. For consumers, while brand recognition can guide choices, cases like the OnePlus trimmers highlight the need for caution and awareness.
As Indian markets mature and trademark enforcement improves, both global and local players will continue to navigate these overlaps. Meanwhile, shoppers and investors watch keenly, aware that brand power and legal safeguards play a delicate dance on India’s commercial stage.
