SYDNEY – The path may already be crowded but Chinese smartphone maker Oppo is looking to muscle in on the Australian mobile phone market.
However it appears to be having trouble striking deals with major telcos or retail groups, going it alone with a first release of four smartphones.
The Oppo Find 7, N1 Mini, Find 7a, and Neo 5 will be available “initially” through its online store.
Major focus is on the Find 7, pictured,which has a quad-core 2.5GHz processor, a 5.5-inch HD display and 32GB of internal storage. It costs A$719, outright.
Other models are the N1 mini, a ‘selfie’ lovers smartphone with a 5-inch display, and an unusual 195deg. rotating 13-megapixel camera which costs $539; the Find 7a, a cheaper version of the Find 7 at $629.
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| Find 7 |
The cheapest of the lot is Neo S, a 4G smartphone with a 4.5in. display at $219.
The smartphones run ColorOS, which is based on Android 4.3.
Oppos has been selling phones since 2008 but this is its first foray into a major western market.
“At Oppo we’re focused on innovation . we feel that Australia mirrors these values, so we’re excited to begin our journey/exploration into western markets here,” said Michael Tran, head of marketing.
Oppo share of the Chinese phone market come under “real pressure” recently, analysts Kantar said this week.
Yesterday’s launch was ‘soft’ one but the phone company says there a “huge amount” of devices to come in the future.
The Chinese company also makes Blu-ray players and personal audio products.
There also an Australian OPPO Forum and the company is offering a two year warranty on all phones sold as well as free shipping.
