Oppo is one of the most popular Chinese smartphone brands. It has begun making its way to the international smartphone scene but has yet to build a solid market outside of its native China. The startup is taking a very important step towards getting its products to the international scene. Oppo has recently enlisted one of Australia's top mobile carriers, Optus, to help sell its smartphones.
The announcement has been made on Monday, August 3. Optus will be selling the company's R7 and R& Plus under a mobile plan, which amounts to $40 per month.
Oppo has expressed its goal of bringing the brand to the Australian mobile market. Last month, it has signed up retailer Dick Smith to sell two of its models. Dick Smith has over 400 retail stores in Australia. While this is a big deal for the startup, Oppo admits that it needs a mobile carrier if it really wants to make it in Australia.
But according to Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi, the enlistment of a mobile carrier, while important for Oppo, is not all that smartphone companies need to secure a place in the global phone market. The research firm's managing director stated in Financial Review that, "Carrier relationships are critical to build scale for any vendor, however, it's more important to have carrier marketing support rather than just ranging."
He added that building a sizeable share in the mobile market is a "Herculean task" for Chinese smartphone brands. "It's not worth trying to outspend well-entrenched household brands in Australia such as Samsung and Sony with a 'me-too' product," he pointed out.
Oppo has recently landed a spot in the list of the world's top 7 smartphone brands. The figures which brought the distinction to Oppo come largely from sales in China. The Australia venture is looking to be a significant gamble for the company. The mobile market shall wait and see.
