While Apple is synonymous with smartphones, there are some companies that have managed to outsmart them in markets around the world. Many Americans have likely never even heard of Chinese smartphone producer Oppo, but it is one of the most recognized brands in both of the world’s two most populated countries.
Oppo is the world’s fifth leading producer of smart phones, and it has done better than apple in India and China. The company has almost no presence in North America or Europe, but accounts for 8% of all global smartphone sales, leaving them behind only Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi. Oppo has already long had a strong presence in China. However, the company has now successfully made it into the list of India’s top 5 smartphone brands. At the same time, Apple has barely made a dent in the Indian market.
The reasons for Oppo’s success are many. Among the most glaring reasons is the fact that Oppo, and most other smartphone brands, are significantly less expensive than Apple. The high price tag may be a good reason for many to leave Apple products on the shelf, but Oppo’s success teaches us other lessons as well. The company has shown immense intelligence in the marketing department, as well as tech innovation.
Another critical factor is that Oppo is actually part of a family of brands which fall under the umbrella of holding company BBK electronics. BBK electronics includes Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus. If you combine the three, you could argue that BBK is the world’s third largest smartphone producer.
