Borqs
Chinese mobile software and Internet of Things technology company serving handset, wearable, automotive, smart-device, and connected-device markets.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
Borqs is a Chinese technology company associated with mobile software, connected devices, and Internet of Things hardware and solutions. Established in 2007, the company developed its business around Android-based customization, mobile services, wireless connectivity, and product engineering for device makers, operators, and enterprise customers. Its early profile was shaped by participation in the Open Handset Alliance and by its work with China Mobile on OPhone, also known as Open Mobile System. OPhone was a Linux-based mobile software platform adapted for China Mobile's TD-SCDMA 3G network and intended to support a domestic ecosystem of operators, handset manufacturers, application developers, and service providers. OPhone became Borqs' most visible early technology. Version 2.0 was introduced in late 2009, and the platform reportedly attracted approximately 50,000 registered developers. China Mobile also enlisted more than 20 handset vendors to develop compatible devices. By the end of 2011, OPhone was reported to represent 38% of the TD-SCDMA smartphone market. Borqs subsequently extended related Android software capabilities outside China under the Android+ name. In the United States, Android+ software was supplied for Dell smartphones, illustrating the company's role as an enabling technology provider rather than solely as a consumer-facing device brand. The company's development model combined research and development, software integration, reference designs, and customer-specific product realization. It established or operated engineering activities in Beijing and Bengaluru and worked with major technology and telecommunications companies including China Mobile, SoftBank, Vodafone, Intel, Qualcomm, Sprint, AT&T, Reliance, Vizio, Geely, and SingTel-related businesses. Its projects covered Android phones and tablets, push-to-talk handsets, ruggedized restaurant-ordering tablets, smart-TV remote controls, in-vehicle infotainment systems, mobile services, wearables, and low-power cellular tracking devices. Borqs also pursued partnerships and corporate transactions to broaden its hardware and connected-device capabilities. It formed a joint venture with Brazilian electronics company Positivo in 2014, explored acquisitions involving Shanghai KADI Machinery Technology and Shenzhen Crave Communication in 2018, and promoted products using emerging cellular standards and Qualcomm wearable technologies. Its work in wearables included a child-focused communication product associated with Anda and a 4G Android wearable developed with Qualcomm. The company also exhibited an NB-IoT tracker based on Qualcomm's wearable platform. Borqs became a public company on the Nasdaq Stock Market in 2017 under the symbol BRQS. The public-company period was accompanied by efforts to position the business as an Internet of Things manufacturer and integrated hardware-software provider. Publicly available reference material indicates that the share price had declined by more than 97% by 2022, but the available material does not establish the company's present operating or listing status with sufficient certainty. Borqs should therefore be understood historically as a China-based mobile and IoT technology company whose main contribution was the development and commercialization of software platforms, device solutions, and engineering services for telecommunications and electronics partners.
History
Borqs was established in 2007 as a mobile software and engineering company. Its early expansion included research and development centers in Beijing and Bengaluru. In 2007, the company joined the Google-led Open Handset Alliance, aligning itself with the emerging Android ecosystem and with a broader industry effort to standardize mobile software and services. In 2008, Borqs became associated with China Mobile, SoftBank, and Vodafone through the Joint Innovation Laboratory. During this period, it developed OPhone, or Open Mobile System, for China Mobile. OPhone was a Linux-based open-source mobile platform designed to operate with China Mobile's proprietary TD-SCDMA 3G network. The project positioned Borqs between the telecommunications operator and the handset manufacturers responsible for bringing compatible devices to market. OPhone was a significant part of Borqs' early history. Version 2.0 was released in late 2009 and reportedly gained approximately 50,000 registered developers. China Mobile recruited more than 20 handset vendors to support OPhone phones. By the end of 2011, OPhone was reported to account for 38% of the TD-SCDMA smartphone market. Borqs also adapted its mobile software for international use under the Android+ brand. In the United States, Android+ software was supplied for Dell smartphones, extending the company's platform work beyond China Mobile's operator environment. From 2010 through 2014, Borqs developed Android mobile services for China Mobile and the SingTel group. It strengthened its technology relationships through a strategic partnership with Intel in 2011, cooperation with the Wholesale Applications Community to support compatibility with Web Runtime 1.0 in Google Android, membership in the Linux Foundation in 2013, and a strategic partnership with Qualcomm in the same year. In 2014, it formed a joint venture with Brazilian electronics company Positivo. It also worked with Sonim to deliver an Android push-to-talk phone for AT&T. Borqs broadened its product engineering work during 2015 and 2016. It provided Android enhancement and product realization for a Sprint tablet, developed rugged restaurant-ordering tablets with ElaCarte, supported Vizio smart-TV remote-control software, and supplied in-vehicle infotainment software and solutions for Geely. It also supported Reliance on a phone described in the reference material as the world's first 4.75G phone. In the wearable market, Borqs launched a symbol-based communication wearable for children associated with Anda at COMPUTEX 2016 and partnered with Qualcomm on a 4G Android wearable device. The company reported that it had developed more than 50 Android devices and achieved more than 10 million commercial shipments across over 15 countries between 2011 and 2015. In 2017, Borqs became a public company on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol BRQS. Its public-market identity increasingly emphasized Internet of Things manufacturing and integrated hardware-software solutions rather than only mobile operating systems. In 2018, Borqs signed a letter of intent to acquire Shanghai KADI Machinery Technology, an electric-vehicle control company, and an agreement to acquire Shenzhen Crave Communication, described in the reference material as a major Chinese electronics manufacturing services company. These proposed transactions indicated an effort to expand beyond software and mobile-device integration into industrial, automotive, and electronics manufacturing capabilities. The available reference material does not confirm that either transaction was completed. By 2022, the reference material stated that Borqs' stock had lost more than 97% of its value. No reliable current operating, ownership, or exchange-status information is supplied in the source material used for this dossier, so the company's present status remains unknown. Historically, Borqs is best characterized as a China-based mobile and IoT technology company whose business combined operating-system customization, Android engineering, wireless products, cloud and mobile services, and connected-device development for major operator and electronics partners.
- 2018
Proposed acquisitions in automotive control and electronics manufacturing
[1]Borqs announces proposed transactions involving Shanghai KADI Machinery Technology and Shenzhen Crave Communication.
- 2017
Nasdaq debut
[1]Borqs becomes a public company on Nasdaq under the symbol BRQS.
- 2016
Wearable and connected-device expansion
[1]Borqs launches a child-oriented communication wearable associated with Anda and works with Qualcomm on a 4G Android wearable.
- 2014
Positivo joint venture
[1]Borqs forms a joint venture with Brazilian electronics company Positivo.
- 2013
Linux Foundation membership and Qualcomm partnership
[1]Borqs joins the Linux Foundation and establishes a strategic partnership with Qualcomm.
- 2011
Strategic partnership with Intel
[1]Borqs establishes a strategic partnership with Intel.
- 2009
OPhone 2.0 launches
[1]OPhone 2.0 is launched in late 2009 and becomes the basis for a growing developer and handset-vendor ecosystem.
- 2008
Joint Innovation Laboratory formed
[1]China Mobile, SoftBank, Vodafone, and Borqs participate in the formation of a Joint Innovation Laboratory.
- 2008
OPhone development for China Mobile
[1]Borqs develops the Linux-based OPhone platform for use with China Mobile's TD-SCDMA network.
- 2007
Borqs is established
[1]Borqs begins operations as a mobile software and engineering company and establishes research and development activity in Beijing and Bengaluru.
Products and positioning
An engineering-led mobile and Internet of Things technology provider that combines Android software customization, wireless connectivity, reference designs, and hardware product realization for operators, device manufacturers, and enterprise customers.
Mobile operating-system platform · 2008
OPhone / Open Mobile System
OPhone was a Linux-based mobile software platform developed by Borqs for China Mobile. It was designed to work with the operator's TD-SCDMA 3G network and supported a multi-vendor handset ecosystem. OPhone 2.0 launched in late 2009 and reportedly attracted around 50,000 registered developers. More than 20 handset vendors were associated with China Mobile's OPhone development program, and the platform was reported to have represented 38% of the TD-SCDMA smartphone market at the end of 2011.
Android software platform and enhancement layer
Android+
Android+ was the name used by Borqs for software derived from or related to its Android customization and mobile-platform work outside China. The company supplied Android+ software for Dell smartphones in the United States. The offering illustrates Borqs' role as a platform integrator and engineering partner that adapted Android for operator, manufacturer, and product-specific requirements.
Mobile services · 2010
Android mobile services
Borqs developed Android mobile services for China Mobile and the SingTel group between 2010 and 2014. These services formed part of the company's broader operator-focused work, combining mobile software, device integration, and customized service functionality for telecommunications partners.
Mobile devices and product engineering
Android phones and tablets
Borqs supported the design, enhancement, and product realization of Android smartphones and tablets for operator and device-company customers. Reference material credits the company with more than 50 Android devices and over 10 million commercial shipments in more than 15 countries during the 2011–2015 period. Examples include work for Sprint and a push-to-talk Android phone delivered with Sonim for AT&T.
Wearable technology · 2016
Connected wearables
Borqs developed connected wearable products, including a symbol-based communication wearable for children associated with Anda and a 4G Android wearable developed with Qualcomm. These projects extended the company's mobile software and cellular-integration capabilities into wearable devices.
Internet of Things tracking device · 2017
NB-IoT tracker
Borqs exhibited an NB-IoT tracker based on Qualcomm's wearable platform at the China Mobile Global Partners Conference. The product represented the company's move toward low-power cellular connectivity and Internet of Things tracking applications.
IoT and embedded systems
Automotive and enterprise connected-device solutions
Borqs supplied in-vehicle infotainment software and solutions for Geely, supported Vizio smart-TV remote-control software, and developed ruggedized restaurant-ordering tablets with ElaCarte. These engagements show the breadth of its embedded software, connectivity, and customer-specific product realization work beyond conventional smartphones.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2018
Pursue acquisitions in automotive control and electronics manufacturingM&ABackground
Borqs was broadening from mobile software toward Internet of Things hardware, automotive systems, and electronics manufacturing.
Action taken
Borqs signed a letter of intent to acquire Shanghai KADI Machinery Technology and an agreement concerning Shenzhen Crave Communication.
Aftermath
The available material does not confirm whether either proposed transaction was completed.
2014
Form a joint venture with PositivoM&ABackground
Borqs sought to extend its mobile-device and software capabilities into the Brazilian market.
Action taken
The company established a joint venture with Brazilian electronics company Positivo.
Aftermath
The joint venture expanded Borqs' partnership footprint beyond China, although the available reference does not provide further operating details.
2009
Launch OPhone 2.0Generation changeBackground
The first OPhone generation required further development to support a larger developer and handset ecosystem.
Action taken
Borqs launched OPhone 2.0 in late 2009.
Aftermath
The release was associated with approximately 50,000 registered developers and participation by more than 20 handset vendors.
2008
Develop OPhone for China MobileProduct launchBackground
China Mobile needed a mobile software platform aligned with its TD-SCDMA 3G network and capable of supporting multiple handset vendors.
Action taken
Borqs developed the Linux-based OPhone, or Open Mobile System, for deployment across China Mobile's device ecosystem.
Aftermath
OPhone became Borqs' most prominent early platform, later gaining a reported 50,000 registered developers and a substantial share of the TD-SCDMA smartphone market.
Recent events
- 2022
BRQS stock loses more than 97% of its value[1]
Other
The reference material states that Borqs' stock had lost more than 97% of its value by 2022. It does not provide a complete explanation of the decline or establish the company's current listing status.
- 2018
Borqs signs proposed acquisition agreements in China[1]
M&A
The company signed a letter of intent concerning Shanghai KADI Machinery Technology and an agreement concerning Shenzhen Crave Communication as part of efforts to expand its connected-device and electronics capabilities.
- 2017
Borqs enters the public market under BRQS[1]
Other
Borqs made its debut as a public company on Nasdaq with the trading symbol BRQS.
- 2011
OPhone reaches a reported 38% share of the TD-SCDMA smartphone market[1]
Other
Reference material reported that OPhone accounted for 38% of the TD-SCDMA smartphone market at the end of 2011.
- 2009
OPhone 2.0 expands its developer and handset ecosystem[1]
Product generation · Product launch
The second major OPhone software release appeared in late 2009 and was reported to have attracted about 50,000 registered developers.
- 2008
Borqs develops the OPhone platform for China Mobile[1]
Product launch · Other
Borqs developed OPhone, a Linux-based mobile platform used with China Mobile's TD-SCDMA network and supported by a multi-company handset ecosystem.
- 2007
Borqs joins the Open Handset Alliance[1]
Other
Borqs became involved with the Google-backed Open Handset Alliance, supporting its development as an Android and mobile-platform technology company.
Sources4 sources
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