Tell us about Oppo’s journey of becoming one of the leading smart device technology brands around the world
Today’s world is undergoing immense challenges and uncertainties. As a global tech company, Oppo strongly believes it is our responsibility to bring some light into the world through new technologies.
The journey towards each technological breakthrough is full of challenges. However, with the philosophy of ‘Inspiration Ahead’ at heart, we have set out on a mission to keep moving forward with confidence and poise.
We want to inspire people and encourage them to remain resolved and graceful through difficulties. Following this philosophy, Oppo has invested heavily in R&D activities and one of them, our new imaging technology, is an area to which Oppo is deeply committed.
Oppo has continued to explore new boundaries in smart imaging and used its deep user insight and launched our self-developed 6nm MariSilicon X NPU chipsets.
This is Oppo's first self-designed and self-developed imaging NPU and the world’s first 6nm NPU chip for imaging. It uses AI technology to solve mobile phone imaging problems.
In this new era, smartphones play a massive role in people’s lives. How can smartphone brands contribute to the upcoming digital evolution and in what more ways will Oppo cater to this growing digital need?
Oppo’s journey in Bangladesh began in 2014 with seven smartphone models.
Gradually, we introduced the A series models in 2015, the F series in 2016 and the Reno series in 2019. All of these series have received huge positive customer responses, propelled our growth and made us one of the top five brands in the market.
Bangladesh thus became a very important market for Oppo. Because of this, Oppo established its first smartphone assembling factory in 2019 in the country.
Currently, Oppo smart devices are available in over 5000 retail points across the country. Oppo F21 Pro 5G is the only 5G smartphone in Bangladesh tested and certified by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).
Oppo is not only a smartphone company. We are also providing and introducing a wide range of technologies. Oppo believes that technology is not just a product but a lifestyle.
Hence, when we introduce a tech product, we ensure that it provides an individual identity to each person using it.
Also, Oppo has introduced different IoT products such as the Oppo Enco buds, Oppo watches, and Oppo Band in Bangladesh. We have our 5G CPE etc. They connect to the smartphone and make your life integrated by contributing to a smarter lifestyle.
How did you determine that this was the right time to launch Oppo's 5G-enabled handsets in Bangladesh? How has the response been so far?
Last year, 5G was rolled out on a limited scale in Bangladesh. Very recently, a leading telecom operator trialled 5G in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Our observation is that the government of Bangladesh is undertaking significant initiatives to make 5G services available to everyone. Although 5G penetration in the country is still at an emerging stage, it presents new possibilities, and industry players are ready to adapt to the 5G ecosystem and are committed to accelerating the deployment of the fifth generation of mobile networks.
This means, very soon, there could be an increasing demand for 5G-enabled handsets throughout the country. As smartphones are the main gateway for people to avail digitally empowered lifestyles, the smartphone industry needs to be prepared for 5G before it is actually launched widely.
From a social perspective, faster connectivity brought forth by 5G will enable users to access new kinds of services to augment their transformed lifestyles. Bearing this in mind, we launched our very first 5G-enabled smartphone in Bangladesh - Oppo F21 Pro 5G, a highly reliable future-driven smartphone. The most interesting aspect of the F21 Pro 5G is that it provides much better connectivity even under a 4G network compared to other 4G-only smartphones.
With the Oppo F21 Pro 5G and other 5G-enabled devices on the way, we are ready to support a smarter lifestyle to serve our Bangladeshi customers. We have also pleasantly observed that the people of Bangladesh are very open to new technology, which is definitely a positive in this regard.
Which models of Oppo smartphones are currently the most popular ones? What does it tell you about customer demand trends in the country right now?
We have introduced smartphone models in Bangladesh that go with people of across ages. Our Reno series is for those who love professional photography/videography and are portrait experts.
Oppo’s F series, on the other hand, is extremely fashionable, colourful and trendy. Recently, we have launched our Oppo F21 Pro 5G and F21 Pro, both of which received immense love and response from our young customers.
We also have the A series, which is durable, reliable and very fitting for those who just want a great smartphone with the right features. These smartphones have become a statement for all users in the country.
However, the F21 Pro is a massively hyped device right now. The young consumer in Bangladesh prefers fashionable design and new camera features that are trendy. The overall colour scheme and design of the F21 Pro are quite hip and good enough to turn a few heads for youth.
Has Oppo benefitted from assembling its smartphones locally, in Bangladesh? How has this benefitted the brand, as well as its customers?
Assembling smartphones here in Bangladesh has allowed us to significantly add to the country’s economy by enabling Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and creating job opportunities, as well as skill development of the local workforce through training.
At Oppo, we are really proud of our quality control processes. Oppo is recognized as a reliable and long-lasting phone because we have a strict standard in terms of quality.
All of our devices have to go through rigorous testing processes before going to the market. This mechanism is also in our factory in Bangladesh.
All of our product testing mechanisms in this factory are atomized. We have plans to expand our factory operations in Bangladesh in the future.
Is Bangladesh a good place for business for foreign companies?
The Bangladesh market is very promising. As per our observation, right now Bangladesh is relatively more stable than many markets around the world and is growing extremely fast.
The overall management of the government and other aspects of the economy showcases the great potential for the country.
