Oppo to launch new 5G handset, using new Qualcomm chipset, before end of 2019

Last week at Oppo’s big UK launch event, I asked about the lack of a new 5G handset. I was told that Oppo is working hard on bringing new 5G phones to market, and today Oppo confirmed a new device will go on sale before the end of the year.

Speaking at Qualcomm’s 5G summit in Barcelona, Henry Tang, Oppo’s chief 5G scientist, confirmed the new device will support standalone 5G (SA) and non-standalone 5G (NSA) networks.

This means a new chipset/modem than the current solution offered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855/855+ SoC with X50 5G modem; either the Snapdragon 865 SoC, or one of the mid-range chipsets announced by Qualcomm at IFA in September.

Tang told delegates that 5G smartphones are ‘on the verge of mass adoption’ and that Oppo has strong competitive advantages in this area.

The suggestion of mass adoption suggests this new device may well feature a Snapdragon 7nn solution, allowing the phone to more more affordable to encourage faster adoption by consumers.

“The unrelenting efforts from Oppo and other industry peers have paved the way for the rapid adoption of 5G, with users in select countries and regions already becoming early adopters of Oppo’s 5G smartphones

“We hope our next-generation dual-mode 5G offerings will deliver a superior experience to more consumers in more markets globally, making 5G readily available to a wider consumer base worldwide.”

Henry Tang, Chief 5G Scientist, Oppo

Following the launch of the Reno 5G in Switzerland, to form one of the key launch devices for the Swisscom network, Oppo will now ‘consistently introduce more 5G products to its global markets.’

Oppo’s 5G R&D team, formed in 2015, has filed applications for more than 2,500 global patent families and declared more than 1,000 families of 5G standard essential patents to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

It has also submitted more than 3,000 5G standards-related documents to 3GPP, ranking it amongs the top contributors to the standards organisation.

Update: Oppo has now announced that the Reno 5G is available to purchase on O2’s new 5G network.