22:24Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Oppo Plans to Increase Premium Smartphone Sales in Europe
Oppo wants to grow more quickly in Europe’s high-end smartphone market and become an alternative to Apple and Samsung. The 3rd quarter, covering July–September 2026, was the weakest 3rd quarter for smartphone sales in the past 14 years. Rising component prices have negatively affected sales of budget and mid-range models. Buyers are also waiting longer to replace their phones. Under these conditions, Oppo plans to compete by offering a distinctive premium experience rather than low prices.
Apple’s share of the European smartphone market is 34%, while Samsung’s share is also 34%. Together, the 2 companies control 68% of the market. Oppo’s share is only between 1-4%, according to various estimates. It will therefore not be easy for the company to catch up with its rivals. Elvis Zhou, Oppo’s CEO for Europe, said research indicates that people who buy expensive phones are also willing to try a 3rd brand. The first major test of the strategy will be the Find X10 Pro Max, which is expected to go on sale on October 21. Oppo is basing its plan on 3 changes it has observed in the behavior of young buyers. According to the company’s research, young people in Europe are open to buying smartphones online. They trust real user experiences on social media more than advertisements. More than 40% of young people choosing a phone turn to AI tools. In other words, they use artificial intelligence tools to compare models. Oppo believes that chatbots such as ChatGPT could feature the company’s phones more prominently because they compare cameras, batteries and other features rather than brand reputation.
A comparison of search results also showed that this approach could provide an advantage. In response to the query “best photography phone,” ChatGPT listed the Oppo Find X9 Ultra as its first choice. The brand did not appear in the main list of Google results. However, being a chatbot’s first recommendation does not mean the phone will sell immediately. Oppo believes that appearing more often in artificial intelligence responses could help increase brand recognition and, subsequently, sales. Elvis Zhou said concerns about the protection of personal data in Europe have also been taken into account. The products have been designed to comply with local data protection regulations. According to Oppo’s research, young buyers place the greatest importance on the camera, artificial intelligence features and battery life. The camera-focused Oppo Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max will be the first major test of the company’s premium strategy. Both models are expected to be more expensive than the previous generation, but exact prices have not yet been announced.
Apple’s share of the European smartphone market is 34%, while Samsung’s share is also 34%. Together, the 2 companies control 68% of the market. Oppo’s share is only between 1-4%, according to various estimates. It will therefore not be easy for the company to catch up with its rivals. Elvis Zhou, Oppo’s CEO for Europe, said research indicates that people who buy expensive phones are also willing to try a 3rd brand. The first major test of the strategy will be the Find X10 Pro Max, which is expected to go on sale on October 21. Oppo is basing its plan on 3 changes it has observed in the behavior of young buyers. According to the company’s research, young people in Europe are open to buying smartphones online. They trust real user experiences on social media more than advertisements. More than 40% of young people choosing a phone turn to AI tools. In other words, they use artificial intelligence tools to compare models. Oppo believes that chatbots such as ChatGPT could feature the company’s phones more prominently because they compare cameras, batteries and other features rather than brand reputation. A comparison of search results also showed that this approach could provide an advantage. In response to the query “best photography phone,” ChatGPT listed the Oppo Find X9 Ultra as its first choice. The brand did not appear in the main list of Google results. However, being a chatbot’s first recommendation does not mean the phone will sell immediately. Oppo believes that appearing more often in artificial intelligence responses could help increase brand recognition and, subsequently, sales. Elvis Zhou said concerns about the protection of personal data in Europe have also been taken into account. The products have been designed to comply with local data protection regulations. According to Oppo’s research, young buyers place the greatest importance on the camera, artificial intelligence features and battery life. The camera-focused Oppo Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max will be the first major test of the company’s premium strategy. Both models are expected to be more expensive than the previous generation, but exact prices have not yet been announced.