High-end smartphone maker targets Pinoys’ ‘selfie’ culture

CEBU, Philippines - Chinese-American smartphone maker OPPO targets the top position in the Philippine mobile market in the next two to three years banking on the Filipinos’ selfie culture.

OPPO brand marketing manager Stephen Cheng said the company is banking on the phenominal selfie culture in the Philippines, which has buoyed the brand to the number two position in the smartphone category.

Cheng, together with OPPO officials in the Philippines, was in Cebu Tuesday to formally introduce its line of "selfie" expert lines, specially its latest line "F1" series.

German-based market research organization GfK reported that OPPO is now the second bestselling smartphone brand in the Philippines.

GfK’s latest survey showed that OPPO increased its market share from 3.2 percent in July 2015 to 8.6 percent in July 2016, more than double its share from last year.

The smartphone brand also rose from third spot in June 2016 at 8.5 percent, to second last July, sales wise.

With its high-end feel and updated technology OPPO will leverage on its pocket-friendly price points, Cheng said.

OPPO's LTE (long term evolution) capable phone units for instance is only priced within P13, 000 level.

"We not only meet consumer demands for quality smartphones, but we also offer them at more affordable prices. This is an important factor that paved the way for our growth over the past year," Cheng added.

OPPO attributed its rising popularity to its F1 series, whose selfie-enhancing features won over the Filipino’s fondness for taking pictures of themselves. The company introduced the F1 phone in February this year, followed by the F1 Plus in April.

Introduced only last August, the F1 series’ latest addition, the F1s, sold out three days after its launch in concept and dealer stores nationwide.

OPPO will continue pursuing its growth in the market by indulging the Filipino fascination for taking selfies, Cheng added. (FREEMAN)