OPPO exec apparently confirms foldable phone for MWC 2019 (Update)

Update, November 30, 2018 (12:15AM): An OPPO executive purportedly confirmed that it was going to launch a foldable phone at MWC 2019. But it seems like tech news website Tweakers may have reported the executive’s comments out of context.

“We know Samsung and Sony are working on a foldable phone, you can also expect more news from OPPO on that topic, maybe at MWC,” Androidworld.nl quoted OPPO product manager Chuck Wang as saying (h/t: The Verge, Twitter user Jiri Truijen).

The actual quote isn’t definitive confirmation that OPPO will announce a foldable phone at MWC. Nevertheless, it seems clear that OPPO is indeed dabbling with the technology.

Original article, November 29, 2018 (06:18AM ET): Oppo is no stranger to innovation in the smartphone space, having delivered the eclectic OPPO Find X earlier this year. The company isn’t stopping here though, as it’s reportedly got plans to announce a foldable phone in February.

OPPO product manager Chuck Wang apparently told Tweakers (via Let’sGoDigital) that the company would be announcing its foldable phone at MWC 2019 in Barcelona. Wang didn’t reveal any more details regarding the device, such as a launch window or specs.

The move comes a few weeks after Samsung showed off its foldable phone. Samsung’s effort features a 7.3-inch, 1536 x 2152 display when folded out, but also packs a 4.5-inch display (840 x 1960) on the front.

The news means we can expect even more foldable phones in 2019. Huawei has confirmed that it’s working on a foldable device, while Xiaomi and LG are also tipped to be working on the technology.

Wang also told Tweakers that the company would launch its first 5G smartphone in Europe in the first half of 2019. It’s not known whether this would be an R-series device or part of its flagship Find range.

Finally, the product manager told the publication that it was also working on a phone with a circular cutout in the screen for a selfie camera (much like Samsung’s Infinity O display). This device is purportedly scheduled for 2020 — a while after HUAWEI is expected to launch its own device.

We’ve contacted OPPO to confirm its foldable phone plans and will update the article if/when we receive a response. Would you buy a foldable phone though? Let us know in the comments!

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