AI technology on smartphones has traditionally been associated with flagship models such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the Pixel 8. However, Oppo is bucking that trend by extending these software enhancements to include all the series in its portfolio.
As well as the flagship Find X and mid-range Reno phones, Oppo has committed to bringing its new features to its budget A series, as well as the affordable F series which is on sale in Asia. Current AI features on Oppo’s devices include real-time translation and AI Eraser. The allowing you to remove objects from a photo and fill in the background, just like Google’s Magic Eraser.
The news was revealed at Oppo’s AI Strategy Media briefing in London, where executives were joined by experts from Google, MediaTek and IDC.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
We don’t know specifically when these updates will roll out, but Billy Zhang, President of Overseas Marketing, Sales and Services at Oppo, promised that “by the end of this year, we expect to bring generative AI features to about 50 million users.”
While it’s great to see Oppo committing to making this sort of technology more accessible for people who don’t have the luxury of splashing the cash, it may not stay that way forever.
Samsung made headlines earlier this year by hinting that it may charge for certain ‘Galaxy AI’ elements after the end of 2025. I asked Zhang directly if Oppo would commit to not putting similar tech behind a paywall in the future, but he wouldn’t give a definitive answer: “We want to allow more users to enjoy the benefits of AI features, and at present we do not charge for the already launched AI features.
“If we have more updates or developments, we will keep our friends of the media posted”.
Oppo
Nicole Zhang, General Manager of AI Product at Oppo added the following “…even if we’re going to charge for certain features or functions… it’s not just charging for its own sake, we need to make sure that we’ll bring valuable services and features to the users”.
Back in January, The Korea Herald reported that TM Roh, the head of Samsung’s mobile division, commented that charging users may be useful when AI tools become more costly to run. Oppo’s ambiguity therefore suggests that this could be a wider trend we see across the industry, as this technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
At the event, Oppo also teased that the Find X8 series and Reno 12 family will boast Google Gemini LLMs (large language models), which include features such as AI Writer and AI Recording Summary, designed to make taking notes a simpler process.
It also reaffirmed that the next Find X series will return to Europe after a brief hiatus – this news first broke during MWC in Barcelona, back in February. No doubt that this is a relief to Oppo fans, especially considering that the Find X7 Ultra is one of the best phones that western tech audiences cannot buy.
If AI is a top priority for you in a phone, see our guide to the best AI smartphones.
