What good does technology bring if it isn’t something that will benefit the public and make their daily lives more manageable? For technology giant and market leader OPPO, innovation must always be rooted in the purpose of serving people -- nothing more, nothing less. 

From creating a smartphone that can register one billion colors to innovating one of the world’s most advanced smart charging technology; and leveraging cutting-edge AI camera technologies to improve smartphone photography and videography down to developing a Computer-Aided Detection Research Platform to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, OPPO has been curating technologies that aim to make its consumers’ lives convenient and future-proof.

This was the highlight of the recently concluded special Tech Talk segment on MB News On Web (MB NOW), the Manila Bulletin’s daily news show. Manila Bulletin Tech Editor Art Samaniego gave the viewers a closer look at OPPO’s innovation journey anchored on “humanistic technology.”

Leader in fast charging technology

Fast charging technology has been associated with OPPO ever since it introduced the VOOC flash charging in the OPPO Find 7 in 2014. Years later, OPPO is still in the roster of innovation leaders that carry the blueprint of giving consumers the luxury to maximize their day with smartphone batteries that can be charged safely and efficiently within minutes.

In July last year, when the world was at the peak of preparations in adapting 5G technology, OPPO proved that they’re one step ahead. It launched new iterations of the industry-leading VOOC flash charging line, including the 125W flash charge, 65W AirVOOC wireless charge, 50W mini SuperVOOC charger, and 110W mini flash charger. Jeff Zhang, the Chief Charging Technology Scientist at OPPO said that this is OPPO’s way of addressing an anticipated shift in user behavior since 5G is expected to drive an increase in high-power consumption applications usage. This includes high-quality gaming and seamless video viewing that require better smartphone battery life.

Developed from the technical design of OPPO's SuperVOOC, the brand's 125W flash charge technology is capable of charging a 4,000mAh battery up to 41% in 5 minutes, and fully charge it in 20 minutes. OPPO said that this is currently the most advanced flash charging technology in the industry. Despite their compact sizes, the OPPO 50W mini SuperVOOC charger, and the 110W mini flash charger, meanwhile, carry dual-level architecture to ensure high-power efficiency.

OPPO understands that the era of intelligent connectivity will bring more demand for power-heavy usage and applications, and this is why it's safe to assume that flash charging will remain among the main focus of innovation for the brand. As of June 2020, OPPO has applied for more than 2,800 global patents for flash charging. It said that over 157 million users globally have been using its VOOC flash charge technology in more than 30 OPPO smartphone models.

High-performing cameras and stunning displays

Filipinos remain the top social media users in the world. According to the latest study by advertising firms We Are Social and Hootsuite, Filipinos spend an average of 4 hours and 15 minutes a day on social media. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, it’s normal for Filipinos to always post photos -- whether they be of special occasions or just the mundane events in life. This may be why a camera-centric brand like OPPO is among the top-selling smartphone names in the Philippines.

OPPO offers smartphones centered on content creation. Take the OPPO Reno5 5G, for example. The said smartphone carries professional-like cameras with photography and videography features that make it possible for smartphone users to produce content of high caliber. The mobile device boasts a 64-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel macro camera, and another 2-megapixel mono camera. For its front shooter, the device has a 32-megapixel selfie camera.

It also offers a plethora of shooting modes, encouraging smartphone users to stir creativity anytime and anywhere they go, capturing vibrant, high-quality photos and videos. 

To cater to a wide range of Filipino consumers, OPPO also brings advanced imaging technology to its affordable smartphone segment. The OPPO Reno A Series also has multi-camera setups, allowing budget-conscious Filipinos to have access to expertly designed smartphone cameras.

Complementing its high-quality cameras, OPPO also develops its mobile units with high-definition displays easily translating vivid colors and sharp details on user screens. Its latest color correction technology was launched in April 2021 with the release of its flagship OPPO Find X3 Pro.

Influenced by the Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue Test, the company worked with color science experts to apply the ideal color algorithms on their latest unit. The test revealed that 68% of people have a “medium” level of visual ability, and 16% are color-impaired in some way, with only 16% having what can be considered with very good color vision. Guided by this, the OPPO Find X3 Pro was developed with a built-in color vision enhancement feature that allows users to adjust colors based on what they see through a color vision test. This helps the OLED screen of the Find X3 Pro showcase display with more than one billion colors.

AI and IoT, Humanistic Technology

OPPO also extends its approach to ease Filipinos into adapting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) through its mobile and wearable offerings. OPPO’s anchor on humanistic technology finds its latest iteration in the company’sColorOSsoftware, OPPO’s own mobile operating system. Through the years, ColorOS has evolved to accommodate more features for user convenience. Its current version, the ColorOS 11, fittingly carries the tagline "Make Life Flow." It is designed to make consumption of technology smarter and more seamless through features anchored on privacy, security, productivity, entertainment, gaming, and AI.

In October 2020, OPPO unveiled new devices made for households to enjoy smart connectivity with their OPPO smartphones as the center. These include the OPPO Enco X True Wireless Noise Cancelling earphones, OPPO TV R1 available in 55-inch and 65-inch models, and the 65-inch 4K OLED OPPO TV S1. These devices join the existing lineup of OPPO's IoT- and AI-enabled gadgets that promote a smart ecosystem through smart connectivity, allowing consumers to better maximize technology in their daily lives.

OPPO first announced its IoT strategy during the OPPO INNO DAY 2019 in November. The INNO DAY is an annual showcase of OPPO's innovation plans.

During this showcase, the company introduced the COVID-19 Computer-Aided Detection Research Platform designed and developed by OPPO which can detect coronavirus cases with an accuracy level of 99.67%. The company highlighted the platform’s foundation on OPPO’s years of expertise in AI technology. Following its launch, OPPO  lent this technology to aid medical organizations for free, boosting R&D and enhancing efforts on pandemic prevention and screening.

All of these amount to the tech excellence that OPPO has been showcasing since its inception, answers Filipino’s strong affinity for the brand making it a top player in the local market. Based on the Q4 2020 data of market-research firm International Data Corporation, OPPO capped off the year with a 17.9% market share. For the first quarter of 2021, market-research firm Canalys revealed that OPPO recorded a total of 148% year-on-year growth, cutting a total of 15% market share in terms of shipment units in the Philippines.

On flash charging, high-end cameras, and other tech breakthrough

These are just some of OPPO’s tech milestones highlighted in the special Tech Talk segment on MB NOW titled “On flash charging, high-end cameras, and other tech breakthroughs.” For viewers who missed the segment premiere last July 7, a replay will be available on July 12 and July 15 at 12 noon on the official Facebook pages of Tech News Online and MB Lifestyle, respectively. For more information about OPPO, visit https://www.oppo.com/en/.