OPPO, a global smartphone brand, has reaffirmed its commitment to the region’s 5G ecosystem through substantial new investments and technology trials.

The company recently announced it would raise its global R&D investments to around $1.43 billion in 2019, a 150% year-on-year increase. This will allow OPPO to further explore areas of 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart devices. OPPO Research Institute has been exploring 5G applications in the fields of 3D vision, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented reality (AR).

In 2018, OPPO reaffirmed its image as a pioneer in smartphone technologies by completing one of the world’s first 5G signaling and data connections on a smartphone and becoming the first company in the world to complete a 5G Internet access test on a smartphone. OPPO also partnered with Qualcomm Technologies in the ‘5G Pioneer Initiative’ to explore ways of developing innovative 5G technologies and bringing the greatest 5G experience to users around the world. These technological breakthroughs have provided OPPO with a technological edge and have brought the company a step closer to releasing 5G handsets commercially in 2019.

Andy Shi, Managing Director of OPPO MEA commented, “As a company that focuses relentlessly on the development of breakthrough technologies like 5G, OPPO is very encouraged to see governments supporting 5G as part of their economic vision. We understand how crucial 5G will be to the ongoing digital transformation efforts in the GCC and are proud to invest heavily in R&D and drive 5G innovations that will yield great benefits in the region.”

Gulf nations also have some of the highest smartphone penetration rates globally, and this in turn is creating an ever-increasing user demand for enhanced mobile broadband experiences. The UAE specifically leads in the adoption of new technologies and has begun to accelerate efforts to adopt the 5G technology.

“We believe that countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia will be at the forefront of 5G technology in the region. In line with this, OPPO will drive the advancement of 5G together with AI, Big data and Cloud Computing, making smartphones and smart devices true intelligent personal assistants,” concluded Shi.