Is your smartphone powerful enough for the big leagues of gaming? OnePlus just dropped a bombshell announcement that’s set to ignite India’s esports scene and could change how you think about mobile gaming forever. The tech giant, known for its “fast and smooth” devices, is officially stepping into the competitive gaming arena with a major investment in three top-tier esports teams: Gods Reign, K9, and Cincinnati Kids.
This isn’t just a sponsorship deal with flashy logos. OnePlus is going deep, forging true partnerships with these gaming powerhouses. Imagine pro gamers providing real-time feedback as they push the limits of the latest OnePlus devices. That’s precisely what’s happening. These collaborations aim to inject authentic, on-the-ground insights directly into OnePlus’s product development. The goal? To create smartphones that are not just good for everyday use but are engineered for the demanding world of competitive mobile gaming.
Marcel Campos, Director of Product Strategy at OnePlus, emphasized the company’s commitment, stating, “This collaboration reinforces our dedication to the gaming community and marks an exciting step in empowering the next generation of mobile esports athletes.”
What does this mean for the teams? K9 and Cincinnati Kids will now proudly compete under new banners: OnePlus K9 and OnePlus Cincinnati Kids, respectively. This rebranding signifies a deeper integration and a shared vision for delivering high-performance gaming experiences to a wider audience. Gods Reign, already a dominant force, will continue to represent their legacy as OnePlus Gods Reign.
Powering the Play: The OnePlus 13 Series
This esports push coincides with the launch of OnePlus’s latest gaming-focused smartphones, the OnePlus 13 Series. These devices are built from the ground up to handle intense gaming sessions. The OnePlus 13 boasts the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the OnePlus 13R packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Both promise exceptional performance and lightning-fast graphics, ensuring consistently smooth and responsive gameplay.
Lag and overheating can be the bane of any mobile gamer’s existence. To combat this, the OnePlus 13 Series features an advanced Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Cooling System. This tech is designed to efficiently manage heat, preventing frustrating thermal throttling even during extended playtimes in demanding games.
Long gaming sessions demand serious battery life. The OnePlus 13 Series delivers with a massive 6,000mAh battery, coupled with blazing-fast 100W SUPERVOOC charging. This combination means less time plugged in and more time dominating the competition. With raw power, effective cooling, and stable frame rates, the OnePlus 13 Series is clearly targeting gamers who demand peak performance from their devices.
Meet the Teams Forging the Future of Indian Esports:
OnePlus Gods Reign: This Bangalore-based team is a legend in the Indian BGMI scene. Known for their strategic brilliance and teamwork, they have multiple championship titles under their belt, including victories at BGIS and BGMS. Their 2023 BGIS win remains iconic, and they recently added another trophy to their cabinet by winning the ESL Snapdragon Pro Series in 2025.
OnePlus K9: Rising rapidly through the ranks, K9 embodies the spirit of grassroots talent and unwavering discipline. They’ve consistently impressed, moving from community tournaments to podium finishes at major events like the ESL BGMI Snapdragon Pro Series and BGIS. Now, as OnePlus K9, they have their sights set on global recognition.
OnePlus Cincinnati Kids: The ultimate underdog story, the Cincinnati Kids defied expectations at BGIS 2025. Without major sponsors, they persevered in unofficial tournaments. Their remarkable 7th-place finish at the BGIS 2025 Grand Finals stunned the community. Rebranded as OnePlus Cincinnati Kids, their journey is a powerful testament to passion and dedication.
OnePlus’s bold entry into esports, partnering with these formidable teams and launching a gaming-centric phone series, signals a significant shift in the Indian mobile gaming landscape. It’s a clear message: mobile gaming is no longer a side activity; it’s a serious competitive arena, and OnePlus is ready to power its future. Keep an eye on these teams – they’re not just playing games; they’re shaping the future of mobile esports, backed by the power of OnePlus.
