OPPO smartphones are increasingly common sights in electronics retail stores and carrier shops. However, have you ever wondered, “Which country is OPPO from?” or “Is it a reliable brand?”
In this article, we will provide a thorough explanation based on official information, covering everything from the location of OPPO’s headquarters and its founding history to its relationship with group companies and its track record in the Japanese market.
What you will learn in this article!
- Which country OPPO is a manufacturer from
- OPPO’s company profile and the relationship between its parent company and group brands
- The 20-year journey since its founding and its innovations in proprietary technology
- Its market share in Japan and where you can purchase its products
Ms.GadgetsI see OPPO smartphones often lately, but which country is the manufacturer from?
Mr.GadgetsOPPO is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer. Established in 2004, it is now one of the world’s top five smartphone brands. Let’s take a closer look.
Conclusion: OPPO is a Chinese company
OPPO is a smartphone manufacturer headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong, China. Established in 2004 by Tony Chen (Chen Mingyong), the company handles a wide range of products including smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, and wireless earphones.
OPPO was once a brand under the umbrella of BBK Electronics; however, BBK Electronics had its corporate registration dissolved in April 2023. Currently, OPPO operates as an independent company under Guangdong Oujia Holdings. OnePlus is a subsidiary of OPPO, and Realme was reintegrated as a sub-brand of OPPO in January 2026.
Ms.GadgetsSo it’s a Chinese manufacturer. I’ve heard of BBK Electronics before—is there a connection?
Mr.GadgetsYes. OPPO was originally a brand born out of BBK Electronics. However, as a corporation, BBK ceased to exist in 2023. Currently, under a holding company called Guangdong Oujia Holdings, OPPO operates its business independently.
Below is the basic information for OPPO.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | OPPO |
| Year Established | 2004 |
| Founder | Tony Chen (Chen Mingyong) |
| Headquarters Location | Dongguan, Guangdong, China |
| Operating Holding Company | Guangdong Oujia Holdings |
| Business Areas | Smartphones / Tablets / Wearables / Wireless Earphones / IoT Products |
| Flagship Products | Find Series / Reno Series / A Series |
Ms.GadgetsEstablished in 2004—that means it’s been around for about 20 years, then.
Mr.GadgetsYes. It is a rapidly growing brand that has reached the position of the world’s fifth-largest smartphone manufacturer in about 20 years since its founding. Its strengths lie in camera technology and fast-charging technology.
OPPO Company Overview
OPPO develops a wide range of products centered on smartphones, including tablets, wireless earphones, and smartwatches. Here, we will explain OPPO’s corporate scale, product lineup, and the structure of its group brands.
Basic Information and Corporate Scale
According to research by IDC, OPPO shipped approximately 102 million smartphones globally in 2025, holding a global market share of about 8% and ranking as the fifth-largest manufacturer in the world.
OPPO is a brand that originated from BBK Electronics. BBK was founded in 1995 by Duan Yongping and started with consumer electronics such as DVD and MP3 players. However, BBK Electronics dissolved its corporate registration in April 2023, and each brand now conducts its business independently.
Ms.GadgetsAre there other brands born from BBK?
Mr.GadgetsYes. In fact, several well-known brands in the smartphone industry originated from BBK. These include vivo, OnePlus, Realme, and iQOO.
The current relationships between the brands that originated from BBK are as follows:
- OPPO — Smartphones / IoT products (Since 2004, under Guangdong Oujia Holdings)
- OnePlus — High-spec smartphones (Since 2013, a subsidiary of OPPO)
- Realme — Performance-to-cost oriented smartphones (Since 2018, reintegrated as an OPPO sub-brand)
- vivo — Smartphones (Since 2009, operates independently from OPPO)
- iQOO — Gaming smartphones (Since 2019, a sub-brand of vivo)
While these brands share a common origin, they currently compete as independent companies and brands. OPPO and vivo are operated under separate holding companies and have no direct capital relationship.
Main Product Lineup
OPPO develops multiple smartphone series tailored to different uses and grades.
Find Series (Flagship)
OPPO’s top-tier line. These are premium models equipped with the latest camera technology, display technology, and processors.
- Find X8 Pro — Features a camera supervised by Hasselblad and is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 9400.
- Find N5 — The world’s thinnest foldable smartphone (announced in 2025).
Reno Series (Mid-range)
Mid-range models that focus on camera performance and design. This series is highly popular in the Japanese market as well.
- Reno 13 / Reno 13 Pro — Enhanced AI features and waterproof support.
A Series (Entry-level)
Entry-level models that provide adequate performance at an affordable price.
- OPPO A5 5G — Released by au/UQ mobile in December 2025, supports 5G.
Non-smartphone products
- OPPO Pad — Tablets
- OPPO Enco Series — Wireless earphones (including models with ANC)
- OPPO Watch X Series — Smartwatches
Ms.GadgetsThey make more than just smartphones, I see.
Mr.GadgetsYes. While smartphones are the core product, OPPO is building an entire ecosystem including earphones, tablets, and wearable devices. A feature of their devices is the development of “ColorOS,” their own Android-based operating system.
Relationship with Group Brands
Understanding the relationship with group brands is important for grasping OPPO’s corporate structure.
Guangdong Oujia Holdings, the parent entity of OPPO, oversees the three brands: OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme. In particular, it shares research, development, and supply chains with OnePlus, making them brother brands in practice.
Meanwhile, vivo, while having the same BBK origin, is operated completely independently under a different holding company. OPPO and vivo are competitors in the market.
Ms.GadgetsAre OnePlus and OPPO actually almost the same company?
Mr.GadgetsOnePlus is a subsidiary of OPPO. While they share development resources and production lines, their target audiences differ as brands. OnePlus develops products for high-spec-oriented users, while OPPO focuses on users who prioritize camera and charging technology.
OPPO’s History and Reliability
OPPO is a manufacturer with a history of about 20 years since its founding in 2004. It has a unique trajectory that started with the manufacture of DVD and Blu-ray players and led to its rapid growth as a smartphone manufacturer. The path of founder Tony Chen (Chen Mingyong) and OPPO.
To understand the history of OPPO, you need to know the journey of its founder, Tony Chen (Chen Mingyong).
Chen Mingyong was born in Wanyuan, Sichuan, China, in 1969. He studied information electronics engineering at Zhejiang University, and after graduation, he worked as an assistant general manager at SUBOR Electronics, a company where Duan Yongping, the founder of BBK Electronics, had previously worked.
In 2004, Chen Mingyong established OPPO. Initially, the company’s main business was the manufacture of DVD and Blu-ray players, and it was highly regarded in the North American market as a brand for high-fidelity players under the name “OPPO Digital.”
In 2008, OPPO released its first mobile phone, the “A103” (known as the “Smile Face Phone”), and entered the mobile market. In 2011, it launched its first Android smartphone, the “Find (X903),” and subsequently achieved rapid growth centered on camera technology and stylish design, establishing a firm position in China and the Asian market.
Ms.GadgetsA company that made DVD players? That’s surprising.
Mr.GadgetsYes. OPPO was originally an audio and visual equipment manufacturer. Its Blu-ray players, in particular, were highly rated by audiophiles in North America. The technical prowess and commitment to quality cultivated there are now utilized in its smartphone business.
Track Record of Technical Innovation
What is indispensable when talking about OPPO’s reliability is its development capability for proprietary technologies.
VOOC Fast Charging Technology: A charging technology independently developed by OPPO. It adopts a low-voltage, high-current method, achieving significantly faster charging compared to conventional technologies. With a 5-layer safety protection system, it suppresses heat generation during charging to protect battery life. It has now evolved into SuperVOOC, and AirVOOC (wireless fast charging) has also been deployed. This technology is licensed to automotive manufacturers such as BYD, Volkswagen, and Honda.
MariSilicon X (Proprietary NPU): An image-processing-dedicated chip with a 6nm process announced in December 2021. It is capable of 18 trillion operations per second and enables 4K Ultra Night Video and high-precision HDR shooting. It was first installed in the OPPO Find X5 Pro released in 2022.
Motorized Pop-up Camera: With the OPPO Find X released in 2018, the company featured a motor-driven retractable camera. It was one of the first products in the industry to achieve a completely full-screen display without a notch.
Ms.GadgetsThey license their charging technology to car manufacturers? That’s proof of their technical prowess.
Mr.GadgetsYes. OPPO’s VOOC technology is adopted by many companies, including BYD, Volkswagen, Honda, and Xiaomi. The fact that they are building a platform for fast-charging technology as a whole, not just for smartphones, underscores OPPO’s technical strength.
Expansion in the Japanese Market
OPPO announced its entry into the Japanese market on January 31, 2018, and released the SIM-free smartphone “R11s” on February 9, 2018.
The main developments in the Japanese market are as follows:
- 2018: Entered Japan with the R11s (SIM-free)
- 2019: Achieved 4th place in SIM-free smartphone sales volume share
- 2020: Released the 5G flagship “Find X2 Pro” through au, entering the carrier market
- 2021: Achieved 1st place in annual SIM-free Android smartphone sales volume share (25.5%)
- 2025: Released “OPPO A5 5G” through au/UQ mobile
In Japan, you can purchase them at the following major locations:
- au / UQ mobile (Carrier models)
- IIJmio / mineo (Low-cost SIM providers)
- Yodobashi Camera / Bic Camera (SIM-free models)
- Amazon.co.jp
- OPPO Official Online Store
Ms.GadgetsThey’ve really grown their share in Japan, too. Where can I buy them?
Mr.GadgetsYou can buy them at a wide range of places including au and UQ mobile carrier shops, electronics retailers, and Amazon. In particular, SIM-free models offer high cost-performance and are popular in combination with low-cost SIM services.
Summary
OPPO is a smartphone manufacturer headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong, China, and is a company with a history of about 20 years since its founding in 2004.
- Headquarters: Dongguan, Guangdong, China
- Operating Holding Company: Guangdong Oujia Holdings
- Established: 2004 (Founder: Tony Chen / Chen Mingyong)
- Proprietary Technology: VOOC Fast Charging / MariSilicon X (Proprietary NPU) / Motorized Retractable Camera
- Track Record in Japan: 1st place in annual SIM-free Android smartphone sales volume share (2021)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Possesses proprietary technology like VOOC fast charging | Lower name recognition in Japan compared to iPhone/Galaxy |
| World’s 5th largest smartphone manufacturer (IDC 2025) | Software update periods may be shorter than competitors |
| Established reputation for camera technology (Hasselblad supervised) | Some models do not support Osaifu-Keitai (Mobile FeliCa) |
| Available through Japanese carriers (au) | |
| Cost-performance oriented lineup |
OPPO is a brand originating from BBK Electronics and forms a group with brands like OnePlus and Realme. It has developed proprietary technologies such as VOOC fast charging and the MariSilicon X chip, establishing a firm position as the world’s fifth-largest smartphone manufacturer.
Since entering the Japanese market in 2018, it has increased its presence in both the SIM-free and carrier markets, achieving 1st place in annual SIM-free Android smartphone sales volume share in 2021.
If you are considering purchasing a smartphone, why not check out OPPO’s products on the official OPPO website or at an electronics retailer?
Thank you for reading until the end!
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This article was originally written in Japanese and has been translated.
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