Oppo AR Push: China's Smartphone Giant Invests in Augmented Reality

Technology firms globally continue to explore the potential applications unlocked by 5G connectivity. Several companies, including Oppo, anticipate that augmented reality will be a key innovation.

The Chinese smartphone manufacturer demonstrated its advancements in AR at an event held on Tuesday in Shenzhen, which attracted a large gathering of journalists, industry analysts, and collaborators. A vibrant green light, representing the company’s branding, illuminated the stage as Liu Chang, a vice president, introduced the Oppo AR Glass 2021 – a relatively lightweight headset, though somewhat larger than standard eyewear.

Currently a conceptual device, the headset features fisheye cameras, provides rapid hand tracking measured in milliseconds, and is designed to replicate the viewing experience of a 90-inch screen from a distance of three meters.

This concept product is a direct outcome of Oppo’s previously announced three-year investment strategy, revealed last year, committing 50 billion yuan (approximately $7.62 billion) to the development of advanced technologies, including augmented reality.

Numerous smartphone manufacturers, ranging from Xiaomi to Huawei, are incorporating AR into their designs, creating headsets that connect to smartphones and leverage their processing capabilities. The Oppo AR Glass 2021, for example, is engineered to work in conjunction with the Oppo Find X2 Pro, which utilizes a Snapdragon 865 chipset.

The timeline for the commercial release of Oppo’s AR glasses remains uncertain; however, the company is proactively establishing the necessary infrastructure for widespread consumer use, collaborating with content creators such as the video platform iQiyi and planning to introduce a developer program next year to broaden access to development resources.

During the same presentation, Oppo also presented a concept smartphone featuring a unique “scrollable” OLED screen, offering a potential alternative to conventional foldable phone designs. Oppo did not reveal the identity of the display’s manufacturer.