Cover At 3.26 inches wide, the cover screen of the Find N2 Flip is currently the largest of any foldable smartphone available today. (Photo: Oppo)
At 3.26 inches wide, the cover screen of the Find N2 Flip is currently the largest of any foldable smartphone available today. (Photo: Oppo)
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Oppo's Andy Shi discusses the company's plans to dominate the high-end smartphone market with their latest foldable phone, the Find N2 Flip
To remain competitive in the smartphone industry, companies prioritise innovation as a core principle of their business strategy. Indeed, smartphones have evolved tremendously over the years. As they become slimmer, their displays have grown in size—especially for foldable phones.
According to a report by research house International Data Corporation, 7.1 million units of foldable phones were shipped in 2021. Analysts predict that the market for them will reach 27.6 million units with a value of US$29 billion by 2025.
In early 2023, smartphone giant Oppo emerged as the market leader in China’s folding phone screen market, capturing a 30 percent market share in January 2023. This growth is attributed to the strong performance of Oppo’s Find N2 and Find N2 Flip models.
A study on sales in China reveals a 453 per cent increase compared to 2022, indicating strong consumer interest in this type of devices. The company’s Asia Pacific (APAC) president Andy Shi said Oppo wants to strengthen its hold on the high-end smartphone segment by launching to the global market its first foldable phone, the Find N2 Flip.
Shi shares that the company has invested heavily in research and development to create new solutions for its users. “In 2021, we introduced the Oppo X, a rolling phone concept with a scroll-like display that made global headlines,” he said.
“We constantly improve on product design and imaging experience based on user insights from the APAC market, aligning with the usage habits of APAC users,” Shi said. “Our priority and core market is APAC, and we will explore more opportunities in internet services to improve our user experience by integrating software, hardware, and services.”
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Oppo APAC president Andy Shi says the Chinese smartphone maker aims to become one of the top three technology enterprise brands worldwide within three to five years (Photo: Oppo)
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Shi admits that the general business environment of the past year was challenging for many companies due to the economic downturn. Nevertheless, he asserts that Oppo remains steadfast in its dedication to providing consumers with high-quality products.
He adds that Oppo even developed its in-house imaging neural processing unit (NPU)—microprocessors specialising in machine learning algorithms—called the MariSilicon X. The NPU was used in the company’s performance-driven Find X5 Pro paired with enhanced camera technology by camera maker Hasselblad and portrait photography-focused Reno8 Pro 5G smartphones released last year.
“Oppo has been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We aim to improve user experience by integrating inter-connectivity, service and technology,” Shi said.
In recent years, smartphone makers have been focused on creating an ecosystem of products and services, otherwise known as the Internet of Things (IoT), to differentiate themselves. Shi claims Oppo is no different, as it has an ecosystem of devices that include smartphones, smartwatches and true wireless earbuds.
“We plan to increase capabilities for higher levels of interconnectivity and build more open ecosystems across devices, regions, and scenarios,” said Shi. “In Malaysia, we are steadily expanding our IoT product offerings with competitive prices and various specifications.”
Much like other companies, Oppo has set its sights on meeting the United Nation’s Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) goals. The packaging used in Oppo’s latest N2 Flip foldable smartphone is made of natural fibres recovered from recycled papers and plants such as sugarcane and bamboo, making it completely biodegradable.
Shi stated that Oppo implemented energy conservation initiatives and efficiency programmes, resulting in a reduction of 6,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. “These are crucial steps in our commitment to doing more and doing better for the future of our planet,” said Shi.
The Oppo Find N2 Flip retails at RM3,999 with pre-orders starting from 2nd March till 10th March 2023. Customers who pre-order from 2nd to 5th March 2023 at selected Oppo Stores and Oppo Official Online Store will be entitled to receive an additional mystery gift and receive the phone on 8th March. Oppo is also organising a roadshow at Pavilion KL for customers to try out the phone from 6th to 12th March. For more information, visit their official site or follow Oppo on Facebook or Instagram for updates.
