Oppo’s 2024 was a tale of two markets—dominating in China as a top-tier brand and competing fiercely with vivo, Honor, Xiaomi, and Huawei, while its global presence remained sporadic. The brand’s year was marked by a mix of triumphs, lingering disappointments, and cautious optimism. While Oppo’s Find X8 series marked a notable return to Western markets, the absence of successors to its celebrated foldables left fans wanting more. Here’s a look at the highs and lows for Oppo in 2024.
Winner: Oppo Find X8
The Oppo Find X8 series launched in Q4 and signaled the company’s long-awaited return to global markets. Compact and powerful, the Find X8 stood out in a crowded flagship landscape. With a Dimensity 9400 chipset, 5,630mAh battery, and impressive cameras, the Find X8 offered a well-rounded package that appealed to both performance enthusiasts and casual users. It earned high praise for combining flagship power with a manageable form factor, making it a rare gem in the compact flagship segment.
Winner: Oppo Find X8 Pro
Oppo took things up a notch with the Find X8 Pro, which retained the same Dimensity 9400 SoC while delivering an upgraded camera system. The dual-periscope zoom setup with 73mm and 135mm native options elevated the Pro to a league of its own. The addition of a well-designed camera button further enhanced usability. As a flagship device, the Find X8 Pro balanced innovation and practicality, earning accolades as one of the year’s standout premium smartphones.
Winner: Oppo Reno12 Series
The Oppo Reno12 and Reno12 Pro solidified Oppo’s midrange presence in global markets. While initially criticized for their price points, these smartphones gradually won over fans with price drops and standout features. The Reno12 series emphasized great selfie cameras, making them the go-to choice for portrait enthusiasts. Stylish and well-specced, these devices catered to users looking for a mix of performance and aesthetic appeal.
Undecided: Oppo Find X7 Ultra
The Oppo Find X7 Ultra, launched early in 2024, was a trailblazer as the first dual-periscope smartphone. Its exceptional imaging technology made it a dream device for photography enthusiasts, but its China-only availability frustrated global fans. While the Find X7 Ultra was a technical masterpiece, its limited accessibility prevented it from achieving the global acclaim it deserved.
Loser: Oppo Find N3 and N3 Flip Successors
One of the biggest disappointments of 2024 was Oppo’s failure to release successors to the Find N3 and Find N3 Flip. These foldables were celebrated as some of the best devices of 2023, with the Find N3 earning a reputation as the first compact, slim, and light foldable that didn’t compromise on camera quality. Despite their popularity, Oppo’s decision to forego updates for these models left fans disheartened, especially as competitors like Samsung and Huawei continued to innovate in the foldable space.