Oppo plans to add AI functions to 50 million smartphones this year
AI should not only be reserved for the high-end, Oppo wants to provide affordable cell phones with it. This is because AI smartphones are increasingly in demand
Oppo store in the Mall of Asia in Manila in the Philippines
(Image: fds)
The Chinese smartphone provider Oppo has announced that it will provide around 50 million cell phone users with generative artificial intelligence functions by the end of this year. The AI functions will not only be reserved for high-end models such as the Oppo Find series. The more affordable smartphones in Oppo's Reno, F and A series will also receive AI features. According to market researchers, smartphones with AI are in high demand.
Oppo is referring to a study commissioned from market researchers at IDC. According to the study, IDC predicts that 170 million next-generation smartphones shipped this year will be equipped with AI. This mainly concerns high-end models, but smartphones for less than USD 1,000 will also increasingly rely on AI. While there were 10 million AI phones in this price range in 2023, this figure is expected to rise to 35 million by 2024 thanks to strong user interest.
Oppo wants to be a pioneer here and, in addition to its own development, is also working with Google, MediaTek and Microsoft to optimize AI both on the device itself and with cloud architectures. For example, the new Reno 12 and Find X series will be equipped with Google's Gemini language models. Oppo has not yet revealed which smartphone models that have already been delivered will be retrofitted with AI functions.
AI primarily for image processing
"Generative AI is increasingly entering everyday life via phones, enhancing experiences across entertainment, mobile officing, and more", explains Oppo. According to the manufacturer, it has filed more than 5,000 patent applications for AI inventions, with by far the largest proportion of these, around 70 percent, relating to AI image processing.
One example is the "AI Eraser" recently presented by Oppo. This is similar in functionality to Google's "Magic Eraser", which was initially reserved for Pixel smartphones. However, Google recently made the AI tool for photos available on many other smartphones. Both eraser functions make it possible to remove objects from images. According to Oppo, users already use this function an average of 15 times a day.
AI functions still free of charge
AI language models on smartphones are also intended to increase productivity. Oppo mentions fast transcription of videos, real-time translations and the linking of multiple devices when using AI, for example with a desktop PC. Currently, the AI functions are free, but Oppo is not ruling out the possibility of monetizing them, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. However, Nicole Zhang, head of AI products at Oppo, said: "Even if we were to charge for some of the AI functions, we will make sure that the functions are worth the money."
(fds)