OnePlus isn’t shy about following Apple in a few categories, and item trackers could soon be part of that too. Droid labyrinth and Neowin learned that OnePlus (via Beijing Intangible Technology) will be released on Jan.
This is just a brand, so there’s no indication of how OnePlus would compete with AirTag features, when it might hit the market, or whether or not the company makes a product at all. However, the phone brand has a tendency to reserve brands for names it ultimately uses, so this may not be speculation in the event.
See also: OnePlus 9 series buying guide
OnePlus has a history of making accessories that isn’t exactly the same as Apple in terms of features, but that significantly undercuts the American company in price. The OnePlus Watch is significantly cheaper than, for example, the Apple Watch SE, although it is actually more of a fitness machine with a large screen than a smartwatch. While a OnePlus equivalent to an AirTag wouldn’t necessarily include the ultra-wideband directional tracking or other luxuries of the Apple model, it could cost significantly less with tight integration with OnePlus phones.
You will want to be patient for the way it is. OnePlus tends to bring accessories out in sync with new phones, and we wouldn’t rely on AirTag-equivalent shipping alongside the upcoming Nord CE. You might wait months or more to track down a lost bag or key, assuming OnePlus pushes forward in the first place.