Last week, reports surfaced indicating that Oppo and Vivo might be stepping back from the foldable smartphone market. However, a recent statement from an Oppo spokesperson contradicted this speculation.
Oppo's Future in Foldable Phones
Now, fresh reports suggest that Oppo is looking towards releasing a foldable phone in 2024, albeit on a delayed timeline compared to their initial plans.
Oppo Find N3 Flip (Review)
According to tipster @chunvn8888 on X (formerly Twitter), the development of Oppo Find N5 Flip has been halted. Additionally, the launch of Oppo Find N5 has been pushed from Q2 to Q4. The decision was influenced by sluggish sales and an excess inventory of the Find N5 model.
Research firm TrendForce has pointed out that both Oppo and Vivo are indicating a pause on clamshell foldable smartphone launches in 2024. Instead, they are shifting focus towards introducing book-style horizontal foldable phones.
As per TrendForce's analysis, the production costs associated with clamshell vertical foldable devices are proving to be economically challenging for these Chinese brands, impacting their overall profitability. Despite the success of the Oppo Find N3 Flip as the top-selling clamshell foldable in China in 2023, the brands are reassessing their strategies.
We were particularly impressed by the Oppo Find N3 Flip, especially its exceptional camera system designed for a clamshell foldable phone.
It is disappointing to hear that there won't be a successor to this model in the current year. However, there is a possibility that the lineup could return in the future. The fate of Oppo's vertical foldable phones remains uncertain at this point.
Fans of large-screen horizontal foldable smartphones can take solace in knowing that the launch of Oppo Find N5 is reportedly postponed rather than canceled. This also suggests that the anticipated OnePlus Open 2 might be a rebranded version of the Find N5 tailored for specific markets.
Pricing and specifications details are not provided in the original text.