Are OPPO phones worth it in the UK?
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For many UK residents, OPPO is the kind of brand that only appears once they start comparing prices and notice a handset that looks surprisingly well-specced for the money.
When founded in China in 2004, OPPO initially focused on audio equipment before moving into smartphones a few years later. Over the following decade, the brand became one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers, particularly in Southeast Asia and mainland Europe.
They entered the UK market later and with far less aggressive marketing than its competitors, which is why the brand remains relatively unfamiliar locally. That lack of visibility doesn’t necessarily mean the phones are worse.
OPPO vs more popular brands
OPPO is part of BBK Electronics, the same parent group behind OnePlus, Realme and vivo, which is why some of their technology, such as charging systems and camera development, overlaps.
By the late 2010s, OPPO was consistently ranking among the top five smartphone brands globally by shipment volume, alongside Samsung, Apple and Xiaomi. That is not the only category the brands compete.
In the mid-range market, OPPO fits in the same space as Google Pixel 7a, mid-range Samsung Galaxy models, and older iPhones – the part of the market where most people shop.
Compared to older Pixel models, OPPO usually trades a bit of camera performance for better battery stability and faster charging. Against Samsung’s Galaxy A and mid-range Galaxy S phones, OPPO often wins on screen quality and overall feel. Compared to older iPhones, the hardware feels more up to date, even if the software experience is different.
OPPO A3 Pro and OPPO Reno 12 Pro, in particular, sit in the same category with Samsung Galaxy A55 or OnePlus Nord 3 5G – the phones in which browsing, navigation, work apps and social media matter far more here than benchmarks.
Why OPPO makes sense right now in the UK
Interest in OPPO phones has been growing in the UK largely because more people are willing to look beyond the usual names if it means getting better value for their money. OPPO benefits from not being the default choice.
The brand isn’t trying to remind you of iPhones or replace flagship Samsungs. What they offer is a solid alternative that performs well, looks good and doesn’t feel overpriced for what it delivers.