OPPO – Mobile News

Samsung knocks Apple into No2 slot for global sales – Counterpoint Research

Staff Reporter — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:57:07 +0000

The global smartphone market returned to growth in 2024 after two consecutive years of annual declines, according to preliminary results from Counterpoint Research’s Market Pulse.

Samsung continued to lead the market in 2024, led by strong demand for its S24 series and A-series product lines. The S24 series, the first phone positioned as an AI device, outperformed its predecessors and was received especially well in Western Europe and the USA.

Apple, with an 18% share took the #2 spot. Apple’s iPhone 16 series was met with a mixed response, partly due to a lack of availability of Apple Intelligence at launch. However, Apple continued to grow strongly in its non-core markets like Latin America, Africa and Asia-Pacific-Others.

Xiaomi grew fastest among the top five brands in 2024, helped by its portfolio realignment, premium push and aggressive expansion activities.

OPPO came in fourth, with a YoY decline, but it ended the year with stronger momentum. vivo rounded off the top five, led by strong performance in India and China, where it ended the year as the top-ranked OEM. The top 5 remained the same as in 2023 but lost some share to aggressive competition from Huawei, HONOR and Motorola, the fastest-growing OEMs among all the top 10 brands.

Global smartphone sales grew four per cent YoY in 2024, as consumer sentiment fared better than in previous years following macroeconomic improvements. Smartphone sales in 2023 were the lowest in a decade.

Xiaomi grew fastest among the top five brands in 2024, helped by its portfolio realignment, premium push and aggressive expansion activities.

The top 5 remained the same as in 2023 but lost some share to aggressive competition from Huawei, HONOR and Motorola, the fastest-growing OEMs among all the top 10 brands.

Research Director Tarun Pathak said, “2024 was a year of recovery and normalization after a difficult 2023. Smartphones continue to be an essential product, pivotal to people’s daily lives, and as macroeconomic pressures softened, the market started showing signs of recovery from Q4 2023 and has now grown for five consecutive quarters. Almost all markets showed growth, led by Europe, China and Latin America.”

Ericsson and OPPO agree multi-year patent licence and to work together on 5G projects

Staff Reporter — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:37:32 +0000

Ericsson and OPPO have signed a multi-year global patent cross-license agreement covering patents including 5G.

In addition to a cross-license, OPPO and Ericsson will cooperate on 5G projects, including device testing, customer engagements, and marketing activities.

OPPO and Nokia in January settled months of legal disputes over 5G patents that ended up in several court cases

Petersson: agreement is in line with global practice where companies that provide products using cellular 3GPP standard

Christina Petersson, Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Ericsson, said: “This important royalty-bearing license agreement with OPPO allows Ericsson to further invest in fundamental communications technologies. The license confirms that the patent licensing industry works and is proof that a vast majority of license agreements are based on business negotiations.

“It also reflects the mutual respect for each other’s patent portfolio. We now look forward to growing Ericsson’s IPR revenues with additional 5G agreements and expansion into additional licensing areas, such as IoT and consumer electronics.

“This agreement is in line with global practice where companies that provide products using cellular 3GPP standards, such as 5G, need a license agreement with patent holders in order not to infringe these patents and also for patent holders to be compensated for their R&D investment.”

Feng Ying, Chief Intellectual Property Officer of OPPO, said, “We are pleased to announce that we have reached a global cooperation agreement with Ericsson. The global patent cross-license between the two companies covers cellular standard-essential patents, including 5G.

“This agreement reflects the mutual recognition and respect for each other’s intellectual property and lays a solid foundation for our collaboration. OPPO has always respected intellectual property, advocated for reasonable fees, and supported the establishment of a long-term healthy IP ecosystem. We aim to resolve IP disputes between licensors and licensees through friendly negotiation, with mutual respect for the value of patents.”

OPPO has filed over 6,200 families of global patent applications for 5G communication standards across more than 40 countries and regions.

OPPO partners with Google and MediaTek to bring AI to its entire range of devices

Staff Reporter — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 12:05:10 +0000

As Apple this week announces its AI strategy, OPPO has confirmed it has partnered with Google, Mircosoft and MediaTek to equip all of its devices with AI and .sell them to 50 million users this year.

OPPO says AI should not remain exclusive to just flagship phones and selected users but should instead be accessible to more users around the world.

OPPO and MediaTek are tuning chips to enhance chip storage and computational efficiency on future OPPO flagship models. Its partnership with Microsoft intends the next-generation OPPO phones to be equipped with Microsoft natural voice and text conversion and improved connectivity between desktop AI and phones.

“OPPO aims to make AI phones accessible to everyone, ” said Billy Zhang, President of Overseas Sales and Service. “OPPO is bringing generative AI to all product lines. By the end of this year, we expect to bring generative AI features to about 50 million users.”

IDC’s researcgh “Time to Democratise the Impact of AI Tech” forecasts AI phones in the sub-US$1000 segment are expected to grow by 250% in 2024, reaching 35 million units.

OPPO has filed over 5,000 patents related to AI. Around 70 per cent are specifically related to AI imaging. Since 2020, OPPO has developed its own Language Models and has been active in large vision models and multimodal technology. OPPO says it is the first smartphone company to deploy an LLM with seven billion parameters directly on the device. It has rolled out over 100 generative AI features to its phones this year.

OPPO’s next-generation Find X flagship will feature the Google Gemini family LLMs with AI features such as AI Toolbox including AI Writer and AI Recording Summary features.

OPPO and Nokia settle longstanding 5G patents battle

Staff Reporter — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:57:43 +0000

OPPO and Nokia have settled their legal dispute over the alleged unauthorised use of unlicensed 5G patents by OPPO.

The two companies have agreed to a global patent cross-license agreement, encompassing standard-essential patents in 5G and other cellular communication technologies.

As a result of this agreement, all pending litigation in various jurisdictions will be resolved. The specific terms of the agreement remain confidential as per mutual consent.

Feng Ying, Chief Intellectual Property Officer at OPPO, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing its inclusion of cross-licensing for 5G standard-essential patents.

He highlighted the agreement as a reflection of mutual respect for intellectual property and a foundation for future collaboration between OPPO and Nokia. Ying also reiterated OPPO’s commitment to reasonable royalty fees and a long-term approach to intellectual property, advocating for resolving disputes through amicable negotiations and mutual respect.

Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, also expressed delight in reaching the cross-license agreement, acknowledging the mutual respect for intellectual property and Nokia’s contributions to research and development and open standards.

Lukander: looking forward to collaborative innovation

She noted OPPO’s position as a leading company in the global smartphone market and looked forward to collaborative innovation. Lukander stated that the agreement, along with other major smartphone agreements concluded in the past year, would provide long-term financial stability to Nokia’s licensing business.

OPPO, says it is recognised as a key holder of 5G standard-essential patents and a leader in smart device innovation, actively participates as both an innovator and implementer of technology standards.

The company has deployed 5G in over 40 countries and regions and owns more than 5,900 patent families globally. This includes over 3,300 5G standard patents declared to ETSI and over 11,000 standard documents submitted to 3GPP. According to a 5G report published by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology and IPlytics in October 2023, OPPO ranks among the top companies globally in terms of 5G standard-essential patent strength.

OPPO rejects High Court’s Nokia patent license ruling

Staff Reporter — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:23:20 +0000

OPPO has informed the High Court that it does not accept the Court’s jurisdiction to set a global fair and reasonable rate (FRAND) for Nokia patent renewals and has accepted an injunction against using and implementing the patents while it prepares to appeal the Court’s decision.

OPPO will now appeal the court’s ruling compelling it to acquire a global FRAND (Fair Reasonable And Non-Discriminatory) license for the disputed patents. OPPO argues that a UK court does not have jurisdiction to set a global rate for the Nokia 4G and 5G patents. See the original story HERE

OPPO had a license with Nokia which ended in 2021. But renewal talks stalled over the rate being demanded. Nokia sued OPPO the day after its expiry and applied for injunctions in various countries. OPPO has stated that it is willing to offer FRAND terms set by the English Court. Nokia had the trial at which those terms would have been set adjourned.

Nokia said it is pleased with the decision to grant injunctions against OPPO, stating: “This is another clear victory for Nokia, following the Court’s previous judgments that OPPO infringed two of Nokia’s patents, that both patents are valid, that OPPO was unwilling to renew their license on fair terms, and that Nokia has acted fairly. We would like to emphasise that Nokia does not want to see OPPO exit the UK market. We simply want OPPO to honour its obligations as a user of third-party technology and agree to a fair licensing arrangement.”

OPPO stated: “We oppose the unreasonably high patent royalty fee and will proactively collaborate with relevant parties to resolve this ongoing business matter. Our commitment to local users remains unwavering. Existing users can continue using OPPO products and enjoy future updates and related services. OPPO is hopeful of a positive resolution of this question in the future. OPPO remains operating in the UK and will support our channel partners in bringing the best Q4 offerings to UK consumers.”

OPPO to appeal High Court Nokia patent judgment

Staff Reporter — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 11:12:16 +0000

OPPO is to appeal yesterday’scourt decision that it must obtain a FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) license to use a Nokia patent covering 4G/LTE and 5G patents and an implementation patent involving the generation of a power supply signal for a power amplifier.

OPPO went to court to try to avoid a UK FRAND licence and an injunction on Nokia’s patent that it has already been adjudged to infringe but it lost the case yesterday.

Without the FRAND licence, Justice Richard Meade said Nokia could stop OPPO to stop it selling its products in the UK. A hearing is expected to take place in September. where OPPO must either commit to a FRAND license or accept an injunction and leave the market.

A statement from OPPO said: “We are strongly against the unreasonably high loyalty fee and are working proactively with the related party to resolve the ongoing matter. We respect the court’s decision and OPPO will appeal to the court. Our commitment to UK market and users remains unchanged. All operations remain as usual, and users can still enjoy our products and related services.”

Nokia claimed OPPO had been unwilling to renew its license to use Nokia patents on fair and reasonable terms Rules on standard setting require companies who use the standards in their products and services to commit to pay royalties on FRAND companies who contribute technologies to the standards.

FULL STORY AND JUDGMENT HERE

Three to stock £1,749 Google Pixel Fold next month

Staff Reporter — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:21:00 +0000

Three has confirmed it will soon be stocking the £1,749 Google Pixel Fold announced yesterday.

Google has also updated the £449 mid-tier Pixel 6a with the Pixel 7a which has the same G2 Tensor chip as the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro,

Pixel 7a: mid-tier price of £449

“Despite the impressive engineering behind Google Pixel Fold, the jury is still out whether foldable phones represent the future of smartphones, or if they will remain a niche and very highly-priced product for a limited number of customers” said Ernest Doku, mobiles analyst at Uswitch.com

“Around 13 million foldable phones shipped last year which is barely one per cent of global smartphone sales. It will be interesting to see if the £1,749 Google Pixel Fold can significantly shift the dial, or whether that responsibility will rest with the mythical iPhone Flip”.

“Given the major price hikes facing mobile customers, it’ll be no surprise if the likes of the Pixel and Apple’s iPhone SE range are particularly popular options this year,” says Doku.

Doku: the jury is still out on whether foldable phones represent the future of smartphones

“There will be a middle-ground in terms of price later in the year, although Google fans will probably have to wait until October to get their hands on the flagship Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro”.

According to uSwitch Google’s Android powers around 72 per cent of all smartphones. The latest version of Google’s OS, Android 14, will launch later in the year and promises to deliver improved personalisation, privacy and security.

Meanwhile OPPO announced its foldable phone, the OPPO Find N2 Flip will be one of the first smartphones in the world to receive the new Google Android 14 Beta 1 update.

Android 14 includes several updates to enhance productivity, performance, privacy, security and user customisation. It offers more intuitive system user interfaces, such as the new mid-display back arrow and an improved system share sheet. To strengthen users’ privacy, the system allows apps to limit the visibility of specified views only to accessibility services.

OPPO Find N2 Flip available to pre-order on O2 and Virgin Mobile

Staff Reporter — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 13:51:33 +0000

Free Oppo Encore X2 is offered to anyone who orders before March 1

The new OPPO Find N2 Flip being launched today is now available to pre-order on O2 Custom Plans and Plus Plans. Anyone who pre-orders on O2 and Virgin Mobile before March 1 can claim an OPPO Enco X2 wireless earphones for free. O2 is offering the £849 OPPO Find N2 Flip 256GB for £41.31 per month for 2GB and £30 upfront. An upgrade to 30GB for less than £1 more a month than the entry price is available at £42.30 per month and £30 upfront. O2 is also offering the new OPPO A17 on pay-as-you-go plans for £99.Virgin Mobile customers can buy the Find N2 Flip 256GB for £34 per month with no upfront costs on a 36-month contract. The new Find N2 Flip is a successor to its Find N launched in 2021 and will be thinner, smaller, and stronger than its predecessor.

Enco X1 wireless earbuds: free pair for pre-March 1 Find N2 orders

“2023 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for Oppo in Europe”, said CCS Insight chief analyst Ben Wood.

” Having made significant investments to bolster its brand with lavish sponsorship campaigns, it now has a halo product to go head-to-head with Samsung. Growing share in a challenging market is far from straightforward. But there is certainly an opportunity to build on the progress Oppo has already made in a number of markets with its Find X, Reno and A-series devices.”

“The 2023 ‘battle of the foldables’ is well underway as Oppo fires the starting gun with the Find N2 Flip. Samsung has proved there is a market for this form factor with its Z Flip 4 and we expect a slew of further products to surface at MWC.”

Ben Wood, chief of research, CCS Insight

“With a price tag of £849, Oppo has positioned the Find N2 Flip as a premium device. Oppo will be hoping that the added benefits of a large external screen, a less visible crease and better battery life justifies this premium. “The Oppo Find N2 Flip is an endorsement of the flip form factor for smartphones using flexible displays. This design has been the most successful for Samsung and although Oppo has other innovative designs such as the Find N and Find N2, we believe the volume opportunity lies with the classic flip.”

OPPO prepares to flip its lid again

Staff Reporter — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:49:01 +0000

Thinner and smaller Find N successor debuts next week

OPPO will next week reveal a new folding phone at a global launch event in London. The new Find N2 Flip is a successor to its Find N launched in 2021 and will be thinner, smaller, and stronger than its predecessor.

“Our research into foldable smartphones began in early 2018, and in 2021 we surprised and delighted our customers with the launch of our first foldable phone, the Find N, which offered an almost invisible crease and OPPO’s advanced Flexion Hinge,” said OPPO chief product officer Pete Lau.

Lau:“Our research into foldable smartphones began in early 2018,

“With the Find N2 Flip, we take foldables from the fringes to the forefront in a compact, sleek, awesome way, and we’re now ready to share this new benchmark with the world.”

The vertical cover screen is claimed to be is the largest on any flip phone and has the largest battery of any flip phone. A SUPERVOOC flash charging system makes it t the “fastest-charging flip phone on the market”.

Find N2 Flip has Hasselblad highlights, an optimised MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset, and TÜV Rheinland-certified durability.

Vodafone starts super fast 5G Standalone trials

Staff Reporter — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 22:40:39 +0000

5G Standalone could boost the economy by £150 billion

Vodafone says it is the first UK mobile operator to switch on its 5G Standalone (5G SA) network and is offering it to select customers on a trial basis.

Selected customers in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Bath, Glasgow, and Birmingham and who have Oppo Find X3/X5 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S21/S22 handsets on Unlimited Max plans will be contacted by SMS to take part in the trial.

Oppo Find: one of the eligible 5G Standaone trial phones

Vodafone has called on Government and regulatory support to enable the roll-out of 5G Standalone across the UK, as well as big cities The network says 5G Standalone could boost the economy by £150 billion

Eligible customers who opt into the trial are promised more reliability, improved battery life and improved coverage. The trial comes at no extra cost to participating customers and they can opt-out whenever they wish.

The usual 5G network uses 5G radios, with the Core network continuing to use 4G technology. 5G Standalone uses upgraded technology.

Vodafone says its 5G Standalone network will bring benefits such as:

Improved smartphone battery life.
Smoother online gaming and video streaming experiences with minimised lag and buffering due to 5G Standalone’s low latency.
Enhanced coverage – the 5G Standalone trial goes further than what is being delivered by 5G networks today; the increase is the equivalent to the area over a million customers live in.
Significantly better 5G coverage indoors, thanks to the use of lower frequency radio waves.
Greater responsiveness and reliability in busy areas, as 5G Standalone is built to connect significantly more devices simultaneously.
Improved security due to more advanced end-to-end encryption and next-generation security software.
Another benefit of 5G Standalone is ‘network slicing’ which can create parts of the network, customised for different customers. So a slice could be reserved for the emergency services, prioritising reliability over everything else. In March 2022, Vodafone and Ericsson completed lab trials for network slicing.
5G Standalone: aids network slicing can reserve [art of the artwork for special use such as emergency services.

Vodafone will also trial network steering that allows the network to direct a device towards the right connectivity depending on the services being used.