Chinese smartphone manufacturer Oppo, boasting a portfolio of over 5,000 artificial intelligence patents, is poised to revolutionise consumer tech with its upcoming generative AI (GenAI) smartphones. According to Peter Dohyung Lee, head of product strategy at Oppo, the company aims to integrate GenAI into all its devices, starting with an ambitious target of 50 million units by the end of this year.
“After feature phones and smartphones, next-gen AI phones will represent the third major transformative stage in mobile technology. Oppo is already a frontrunner in imaging technology, and this gives us an edge as we continue to integrate AI in enhancing the imaging experience,” Lee said in an interview with Mint.
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Oppo is embarking on an extensive integration of its GenAI capabilities throughout its entire range of products, aiming to roll out over 100 new functionalities this year alone.“Oppo is determined to make AI phones accessible to everyone, and we will continue to innovate to present optimal AI phone experiences to our users,” Lee added.
Lee also highlighted that Oppo has established its own AI centre dedicated to research and innovation, emphasising the company’s initiatives in developing large language models since 2020.
Lee further emphasised that India, recognised as a significant adopter of AI, holds significant importance for Oppo, where the company ranks as the fourth-largest player in terms of sales volume. “India is an extremely significant market for Oppo. The country has over a billion mobile phone users, and the penetration of smartphones across smaller towns and villages has grown significantly over the last few years,” he said.
Oppo also plans to add more Indian languages to its AI Recording Summary feature in the Reno 12 Series, which currently records meetings in English and Hindi, generating notes and summaries with a single touch.
Lee emphasised that while AI is a central focus, the evolution of hardware and software is crucial to support rapid AI integration. To address this, Oppo is prioritising robust privacy, security, and data encryption technologies, ensuring a safe and secure user experience as AI features become more prevalent. Additionally, Oppo is concentrating on device durability, ensuring its products are built to withstand the ever-changing technological landscape.
For the remainder of the financial year, Oppo India plans to not only launch new products but also introduce new AI features, updates, and refinements to existing models across various price segments, according to Lee.
Lee also mentioned that Oppo is open to forming partnerships with local AI creators and startups in the Indian market, though he did not provide specific details.
