For Oppo, 2024 has been a dream run, with the model registering the very best development amongst the highest 5 manufacturers in Q3 2024. As per IDC, Oppo led with launches like A3x, K12x and Reno 12 sequence within the quarter. After securing the second spot within the prime smartphone producers record and beating the likes of Realme, Xiaomi, and Motorola, Oppo has made a comeback to the premium section. The all-new Discover X8 sequence – Discover X8 and Discover X8 Professional – makes an attempt to be the feather within the hat for Oppo. Devices 360 obtained to speak to Savio D’Souza, Head of Product Communications, Oppo India, to debate the brand new launch and far more.
Smartphone premiumisation in India
We wished to leap straight to the brand new Discover X8 sequence, which is a return for Oppo within the premium smartphone section in India. D’Souza defined how the premiumisation pattern has entered the smartphone area with rising ASP (common promoting worth).
“Indian shoppers more and more search top-tier smartphones for communication, productiveness, leisure, and funds. A current IDC report highlights that the premium section registered the very best development of 86% within the July-Sept 2024 quarter. The Discover X8 Sequence addresses this demand with cutting-edge options like AI Abstract, AI Reflection Remover, AI LinkBoost, a flagship quad-camera system, and a smooth, light-weight design. The timing could not be higher for the Discover X sequence to return, as premium innovation is now the necessity of the hour,” he stated.
With new launches within the premium section, the market is turning into aggressive. How does Oppo’s new Discover X8 sequence match into your entire premium worth vary, the place iPhones and Samsungs dominate the section? “With the Discover X8 sequence, we’re redefining what smartphones can obtain. The smartphone combines one of the best from business leaders—MediaTek, Google, Hasselblad, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient. The Dimensity 9400 chipset powers distinctive efficiency, whereas Google Gemini enhances AI personalisation. Hasselblad Imaging offers pro-level images, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient delivers beautiful show high quality. Oppo’s proprietary HyperTone Picture Engine additional optimises photograph high quality,” D’Souza stated.
“With Oppo’s engineering prowess, we now have packed all these highly effective features into a light-weight and smooth gadget. Collectively, these applied sciences create a smartphone that seamlessly blends innovation, efficiency, and user-centric options, making the Discover X8 Sequence a standout flagship,” he added.
AI to boost consumer expertise?
When requested about Oppo’s AI ambitions, D’Souza stated that the corporate has a technique set for client wants. “This 12 months, we now have built-in generative AI throughout our lineup—options sometimes reserved for flagship units. By the tip of 2024, we goal to ship 50 million AI-powered smartphones globally,” he stated.
Discover X8 and Discover X8 Professional include the identical digital camera {hardware}
On being requested about whether or not AI alone would be the enabler for shoppers to make the change. D’Souza stated, “I consider it is the approaching collectively of {hardware}, software program, and AI that delivers a superior smartphone expertise. gadget wants a strong processor to perform effectively, and AI compliments and, at occasions, dietary supplements their efforts to raise the efficiency.”
Giving the Discover X8 sequence instance, D’Souza additional defined, “The Discover X8 Sequence is engineered by Oppo for top efficiency, and it integrates distinctive AI-based functionalities throughout its digital camera, productiveness, and connectivity methods, all optimised by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset.” However he burdened that Oppo has ensured that they’re providing one of the best digital camera expertise, too.
“The Discover X8 Sequence includes a path-breaking quad-camera system with twin telephoto cameras and the AI Telescope Zoom additional provides to the digital camera capabilities. It makes use of highly effective AI algorithms with generative AI fashions to assist customers zoom into topics whereas preserving readability and accuracy, even at excessive zoom ranges similar to as much as 120x,” he added.
After-sales assist
The after-sales is the spine of the smartphone enterprise in India. When requested in regards to the updates on service centres from Oppo and if there’s any new providing to be introduced for Discover X8 sequence assist, D’Souza stated, “We’re a customer-first model and consider {that a} sturdy after-sales assist community is central to delivering a premium consumer expertise. We now have revamped our after-sales service mannequin with new-generation service centres. Moreover, the digitally led Oppo Self-Assist Assistant, aligned with the Indian Authorities’s ‘Proper to Restore’ framework, permits prospects to resolve their smartphone points with out visiting a service centre. A robust validation of our efforts is mirrored within the current Counterpoint Analysis survey, the place Oppo India earned the No 1 place in buyer satisfaction for after-sales.”
For the Discover X8 sequence, Oppo introduced a bunch of advantages, like a further guarantee of twelve months on pre-booking until December 2, 2024. The corporate additionally launched ‘Refresh Service’, the place prospects can substitute display screen guards and protecting instances twice inside the guarantee tenure and even get them delivered to their houses.
Oppo can also be amongst a handful of manufacturers that supply an Worldwide Guarantee Service, which suggests prospects may get upkeep, repairs, and software program upgrades in international locations the place the gadget is formally out there.
2025 – What’s in retailer?
When requested about Oppo’s 2025 plans, and we’re within the final month, D’Souza promised some thrilling merchandise within the lineup with out sharing many particulars.
“2024 has been a landmark 12 months for Oppo when it comes to AI-driven product innovation with the Reno 12 Sequence, F Sequence, and now the Discover X8 Sequence. We are going to proceed to introduce new merchandise and applied sciences to allow ‘AI for All’. There’s a sturdy deal with bringing Gen AI options throughout images, productiveness, and efficiency parameters, and over 5800 AI-related patents have already been filed by Oppo for picture processing, laptop imaginative and prescient, speech expertise, pure language processing, machine studying, and many others. There are thrilling launches deliberate in 2025, and you’ll hear from us on the proper time,” he added.
Oppo Discover X8 and X8 Professional at the moment are out there in India through on-line and offline channels.