Chinese smartphone manufacturer Oppo rolled out its latest Reno2 series — Reno2 and Reno2 F — for budget-conscious shoppers in the UAE on Wednesday.
Targeting younger and more price-aware consumers, Reno2 is priced at Dh1,999 while Reno2 F will cost Dh1,499 - considerably lower than the high-end devices the company traditionally sells in the market.
“The Reno2 series represents the latest technologies … to keep the needs of the region's young trendy consumers’ in mind,” said Ethan Xue, Oppo’s president in Middle East and Africa.
With its lower price tag, the new Oppo series is expected to compete with Samsung’s A series phones, Huawei’s nova 5T as well as other Chinese manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Vivo, known for their cheaper phones.
The new devices are in line with "Oppo’s strategy to build a high-end brand in the region”, said Mr Ethan, adding that consumers want technology that is wallet-friendly. "The latest series will ensure their access to premium technology at a very affordable price," he added.
Oppo's new line was rolled out in India in August and China in September.
The smartphone industry is experiencing tough times with global smartphone shipments falling 2.3 per cent to reach 333.2 million units in the second quarter of 2019, according to Massachusetts-based International Data Corporation. As a result, manufacturers are now building cheaper, more advanced phones to woo new customers.
However, Oppo bucked the global trend marginally in the second quarter of this year. It shipped nearly 29.5 million smartphones worldwide, according to IDC, an annual rise of 0.3 per cent. Its global market share stood at 8.9 per cent behind Samsung, Huawei, Apple and Xiaomi.
Oppo’s low-end phone the A9, which costs about Dh1,050, was one of the company's best performing models in the second quarter, IDC found.
Reno2 series phones are equipped with four cameras and include an ultra-dark mode to ensure clear night shots in conditions with little natural light.
With a display of 16.5-centimetres, the new series phones come with 8GB RAM and storage of 128GB to 256GB. UAE consumers can purchase the devices across Oppo stores and local retailers from October 31, the company said.
