OPPO has introduced its first foldable display smartphone. With good quality and a relatively affordable price, the OPPO Find N could be a strong challenger to Samsung’s Galaxy Fold line of smartphones. But initial plans to offer the Find N only in China means that Samsung doesn’t have to be too worried just yet. However, if OPPO decides to offer the Find N to a wider global audience, Samsung could have a real fight on its hands.
OPPO’s Find N is a surprisingly well-designed device. Similar in size to Samsung’s newest Galaxy Fold 3, the Find N offers enough differentiation to set it apart as more than a mere copy-cat of Samsung’s offering.
OPPO Find N Foldable Display Smartphone
OPPO’s Find N foldable display smartphone is not just a good first foldable; it stands on its own as a very good foldable smartphone. This should not come as a complete surprise as OPPO has invested four years of R&D and filed more than 100 patents related to the development of the Find N.
Making the Find N even more attractive to users is its price. Starting at 7699 yuan (about US$1,200) for 8GB RAM / 256GB storage model and 8,999 (about US$1,400) for the 12GB/512GB version, it undercuts Samsung’s flagship Z Fold 3, which in the USA is currently available for $1,799. Its price also compares favourably to Apple’s flagship iPhone 13 Pro Max, which in China sells for 8,999 yuan. On price alone it is worth a look.
Strategy Analytics has looked at the strategic positioning of OPPO and other vendors in foldables in a potential 2022 matchup.
OPPO is particularly strong in pricing for its offering, in China at least. But on a global basis Samsung holds a commanding lead over all other foldable vendors in channel distribution, marketing, its foldables portfolio (on its third generation of Fold and Flip), quality and R&D.
For now OPPO is restricting the Find N to the China market, where it is a more competitive playing field for OPPO. Xiaomi will likely represent its strongest challenger in that market, while sister company vivo, expected to introduce a flip-style foldable in 2022, will complement OPPO's Find N offering.
Strategy Analytics closely tracks and forecast the foldable display market landscape. Strategy Analytics also offers a unique lens to evaluate vendors strategic positioning in the marketplace.
Clients of our Device Technologies (EDT) service can learn more in the report OPPO Find N is the Latest Samsung Z Challenger.