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Oppo reveals more about N1's backside touch as pics leak out
Buttons and trackpads on the back of mobile devices? It's becoming a trend. Oppo has revealed that users will be able to scroll, double click and long press with the backside touch feature of the forthcoming Oppo N1. Apparently it'll be possible to swipe through pages (or change songs), activate and control the camera or bind the actions to other apps as you see fit. At the same time, the N1's chassis has been snapped in this rather beautifully composed rumorgram shot, so you can see exactly what you'll be reaching around when this unit gets an official announcement in September.
Oppo teases N1 smartphone launch in September, promises backside touch
Oppo may have already confirmed the existence of its N-Lens series devices, but it's offering us a few more details through official teasers for the line's inaugural smartphone, the N1. While the posts show little of the handset in question, they point to both a September launch and backside touch input. It's also clear that the N1 is important to Oppo -- a timeline (pictured after the break) positions the phone as a spiritual successor to last year's Find 5 flagship. With the unveiling just weeks away, we won't have to wait long to get the full story.
Daily Roundup: Xperia Z Ultra review, Connecting Cape Town, Gamescom 2013, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Oppo R819 hands-on (video)
Oppo smartphones may have a good reach in China, but it's a name that most people in the Western Hemisphere haven't heard of. As many other OEMs from the area, the manufacturer is hoping to reverse that trend, and its strategy is to first appeal to the most hardcore of enthusiasts with its latest device, the R819; is it any wonder, by the way, why Oppo would choose today of all days to launch it? This isn't the product's first rodeo, actually, because it's already available as the TD-SCDMA-friendly R819T on China Mobile, but now it's ready to reach other markets throughout the world. While it doesn't appear poised to replace the flagship Find 5 (still available at online retailers for roughly $500), the R819 should make for a solid handset in the mid-range tier. The reason we mentioned that Oppo plans to win the hearts of Android enthusiasts is because the company's mantra is to let you, the user, do whatever you want to the phone. While the R819 will come with an already existing version of Color ROM out of the box, Oppo promises to have vanilla Android 4.2 available on its site, where all you need to do is download the ROM on your computer, sideload it onto the phone, install in the recovery and reboot the device. A new version of Color ROM should be ready for update in November, and reps tell us that the phone will be upgradeable to Android 4.3 sometime soon. So what did we think of the R819? Check out our gallery and video below, followed by a few more thoughts.
Oppo's 4.7-inch R819 arrives with svelte 7.3mm profile, stock Android option (updated)
Oppo has just announced the R819, a 4.7-inch smartphone that's likely to have high appeal to lovers of stock Android. The Chinese firm will release the handset with its Oppo Color ROM, but users will also be able to install stock Android through a relatively simple sideloading procedure. Hardware wise, it's also decently spec'd, considering that Oppo seems to have tried to cram as much as it could into the sleek 7.3mm thick (.29 inch), 110 gram (3.9 ounce) shell. You'll get a quad-core MediaTek CPU, 720p IPS display, 1GB RAM, 16GB ROM, a Sony Exmor-equipped 8-megapixel f/2.0 rear camera with an LED flash, a 2,000mAh battery and dual-sim capability. There's no word on availability or pricing yet, though unlike some China-based handset makers, Oppo's devices often wind up in the US. Update: As you probably saw in our hands-on, the Oppo R819 is indeed set to arrive at online retailers in September for $349 (269 euros).
Oppo N-Lens render leaks out, looks more smartphone than camera
There's no evidence yet that the budding camera / smartphone hybrid category's going to blossom into a winner, but that's not stopping new entrants from hopping on the bandwagon. We've heard that Oppo is about to jump into the fray with the N-Lens series, and a leaked render shows what it may look like. If real, it packs a slightly protruding zoom lens with a flash positioned to the side and a 12-megapixel sensor, according to the close-up image (after the break). Though supposedly inspired by the Galaxy Camera, it also reveals a decidedly more smartphone-esque form factor than Samsung's model. Until more specs and info arrive through official channels, though, you'd best assume the render is a figment of someone's imagination.
Oppo confirms new N-Lens series to challenge Samsung's Galaxy Camera
We were a bit skeptical when Android Authority claimed earlier this month that Oppo's developing a camera-centric device, but as it turns out, this is really happening! Today, a company representative confirmed to us the name of Oppo's new product line: N-Lens. The focus here will obviously be on photography, and it'll apparently be the "most important flagship series for Oppo going forward." Luckily, the cellular part is here to stay, so these N-Lens cameras -- likely powered by Android -- will be connected; but we're not sure whether you can also make phone calls with them. No further details were provided (especially not a release date), but Android Authority's scoop already gives a rough idea on what to expect: a high-resolution camera with great low-light performance. You can also just about see the above slide referring to the "Samsung Galaxy Camera" (which has since been superseded by the Galaxy S4 Zoom), so Oppo seems keen to ride on this wave started by the Korean giant. If you want, it's a bit like how the Chinese company spotted the upward trend in local girls taking selfies early on, which led to the Ulike 2 with its 5-megapixel front-facing camera. But of course, with the arrival of Nokia's Lumia 1020, it's not going to be an easy fight.
Oppo Find 5 smartphone surfaces in all-too-limited red edition
Oh my. We thought the Oppo Find 5 was already good-looking in its original white, but it just took on some extra appeal now that there's a stylish red edition on the way. The 1080p smartphone hasn't changed on the inside, although that wasn't likely when the phone is just six months old. We're more concerned that we might not get our hands on one -- CNMO understands that the red Find 5 is a limited edition without a specific release date. Whether or not we get to see one in person, we'll at least have the photos at the source link.
Oppo Ulike 2S coming soon with improved 5MP front camera, larger 5.5-inch 720p display
Even though Oppo's Ulike 2 won't be leaving China any time soon (if ever), there's still hope for its larger follow-up, the Ulike 2S. Announced in Shenzhen yesterday, this new device still boasts a combo of a 5-megapixel front-facing camera plus an 8-megapixel imager on the back, but both are said to have improved performance and beautification effects. The more obvious difference is the larger 5.5-inch 720p display -- a big jump from the old 4.5-inch 960 x 540 version -- with a pretty slim bezel. On the back, the Ulike 2S has a cover that gives you access to the removable 3,000mAh battery (instead of the old built-in 2,020mAh cell), as well as the dual micro-SIM slots. There's no word on the detailed specs or price just yet, but stay tuned for its launch within the next two months. Alternatively, there's always the smaller MeituKiss with its 8-megapixel selfie camera, if you dig the extra pixels.
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 20th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought hints of a revitalized Galaxy Exhibit for T-Mobile, news of two additions to the lineup at Cricket and a peek at the next GoPhone for AT&T. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of May 20th, 2013.
Oppo's 4.7-inch, 6.93mm-thick R809T pays homage to the Finder
No, this isn't the world's thinnest phone thanks to Alcatel and BBK, but Oppo's recently announced R809T is still a seemingly attractive device judging by the above official image. Measuring at 6.93mm thick (instead of the rumored 6.13mm), we're surprised that Oppo didn't set this to be the follow-up to the Finder: sure, it's 0.28mm thicker, but it also aces the latter with a 4.7-inch 720p in-cell display, a 1.2GHz quad-core chip with 1GB RAM (likely MediaTek's Cortex-A7-based MT6589 SoC), Android 4.2 and a sorely missed 3.5mm headphone jack -- so no micro-USB adapter required. Then there's also an 8-megapixel main camera plus an increasingly common 2-megapixel, 88-degree wide front-facing imager, which is obviously no match for the 5-megapixel counterpart on Oppo's Ulike 2. Pricing and availability have yet to be announced, but given the "T" in the model name, chances are it'll only work on China Mobile's TD-SCDMA network, anyway; unless you really don't mind using just GSM. Close-up shot after the break.
Refresh Roundup: week of April 15th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Oppo squashes the smartphone further, quad-core 6.13mm device rumored for late April
Slimline smartphones are kind of Oppo's thing. While the company's latest phone, the Find 5, was a trim 8.8mm, the Finder that came before it measured in at just 6.65mm. Well, it looks like Oppo still reckons it can go thinner, with a new leaked device, the R809T, purportedly reaching 6.13mm, while packing a quad-core processor for the ride. According to Anqu, the smartphone profile you see houses a 720p 4.5-inch display and will be priced a little higher than comparable smartphones in China. The leak also reckons the phone will arrive in just two weeks, meaning an official announcement (and hopefully a decent name) should appear before the end of April.
Engadget Giveaway: win one of two Oppo Find 5 smartphones, courtesy of Oppo Style!
It's not too often that a pair of Chinese smartphones shows up in our office, but we try to take advantage of the opportunity whenever it comes around. Thanks to Oppo Style, a trade company that sells Oppo devices directly, we have two 16GB Find 5 handsets ready for the taking! As a refresher, the phone offers a 5-inch 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, 13MP rear camera, 2,500mAh battery, Android 4.1.2 and 2GB RAM, to name a few. The 16GB version normally retails for $499 in the US, while the 32GB goes for $569, so it's definitely worth taking a few seconds to enter. Good luck! Note: Please enter using the widget below, as comments are no longer valid methods of entry. The widget only requires your name and email address so we know how to get in touch with you if you win (your information is not given out to third parties), but you will have an option to receive an additional entry by following us on Twitter if you so desire. Winners: congratulations to our two winners, Justin M., Johnstown, PA and Khanh L., Monmouth Junction, NJ!
Oppo Find 5 gets January 29 retail date in China, likely soon after in US, Europe
Big handset fans (we'll abstain from the ph-word) will soon have another option in the Oppo Find 5, as it's set to go on pre-order in China for 2,998 yuan ($485) on January 15th. That sum will get buyers there the 16GB model (pricing for the 32GB version in China hasn't been released), which Oppo will drop in the mail starting on January 29th in all its 5-inch, 1080P, quad-core glory. The company said earlier that it would try to bring the natty looking model to North America, Europe and elsewhere soon afterwards, at $500 stateside for the 16GB model and $570 for the 32GB version. So, if other size-comparable models aren't meeting your pixel-density needs, start revving up that plastic.
Oppo Find 5 to hit more international markets in Q1 2013, adds a $569 32GB model
Ho ho ho! Even on this special day, the folks at Oppo decided to drop a bomb on its "Ofans." According to a fresh teaser on its Facebook page, not only will Oppo be offering the $499 16GB version of the quad-core, five-inch 1080p Find 5 in the US (as we already knew), but there'll also be a 32GB flavor for $569. What's more, the image also lists many additional countries: Canada, UK, Spain, Australia, Germany, France, Belgium, Malaysia, Sweden, Singapore, Finland, Greece, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Japan and Hong Kong. Just to be sure, we reached out to Oppo and were told that it's aiming to hit all these markets within Q1 next year; and better yet, it'll try to do that as close to the early-January China launch as possible. Sounds like the company's pushing for a global online retail channel (the blurred out URL probably indicates that it'll be a centralized website), and it'll be interesting to compare its performance to Xiaomi's more humble attempt closer to home. Update: We've been told that this is only a partial list, so fret not if your country isn't there.
Oppo Ulike 2 goes on sale in China with 5MP front-facing camera and free toothpicks
Last month, tucked in alongside news of the 1080p Find5, we got word of another, less macho Oppo phone coming to China -- the Ulike 2. This Ice Cream Sandwich-based handset went on sale today for the equivalent of $370, and you don't have to be in love with its ladyphone ways to acknowledge that it at least tries something different. Its front-facing camera rocks a full 5-megapixel resolution, putting the HTC One X+'s vanity cam to shame, while a countdown timer and a bunch of beautification filters (including face slimming and skin whitening) try to make all that extra detail work in your favor. The other specs are mediocre at best, including the 960 x 540, 4.5-inch LCD and 16GB of non-expandable storage, but Oppo is hardly alone in its views on what women want.
Oppo previews sample shots taken with Find 5's Sony-made Exmor RS sensor
Sony pulled the plug on the original specs for its next-gen Exmor RS sensor, pushing a rollout for those modules into the new year. So while that move, made for quality control purposes, guarantees that a new batch of Xperias outfitted with the tech won't appear until 2013 at the earliest, imaging fanatics curious for a preview can get a sneak peek courtesy of Oppo. Baked into the Chinese manufacturer's newly announced Find 5 -- a quad-core S4 Pro Android Jelly Bean handset with a 5-inch 1080p display -- is the top shelf 13-megapixel version of Sony's sensor tech. Oppo's provided a few curated snapshots taken with the camera on its site and, as you'll see, the resulting images are rich with color and exhibit a fine level of detail. We'll reserve judgement until we can get our hands on a review unit for extensive testing. Until then, feast your eyes on the samples at the source below.
Inevitable: Oppo Find 5 meets Xiaomi Phone 2 and Meizu MX2
With all three major Chinese phone makers now showing their quad-core cards, it's only natural for us to take a friendly portrait of their latest flagships: from left to right we have the Meizu MX2 (due December 19th), the Xiaomi Phone 2 (already out) and the freshly announced Oppo Find 5 (due January). At 8.86mm thick, the Find 5 is subtly slimmer than our two other 10.2mm-thick phones when compared visually, but the five-inch 1080p screen is clearly a winner in terms of size and pixel density -- the latter is made more obvious by the fine details on the tactfully designed icons; just too bad you won't be able to fit much 1080p video content into the 16GB built-in storage. As for aesthetics, we're currently leaning towards the Find 5 for its less obvious bezel around the glass panel, and the phone's shape is also a nice change from the usual rectangle-with-evenly-rounded-corners form factor. Still, the feel and contour of the Meizu MX2's crystal back cover gave the most comfortable grip out of the three, only to be hampered by the Flyme OS' eccentric UX. Obviously, we shall do a more detailed comparison once we have our review unit, so stay tuned.
Oppo Find 5 hands-on (updated with video)
Being our first time at an Oppo launch event, we were truly blown away by the efforts put into the quality show. And luckily, we can say the same for the phone itself. The Find 5 uses the same gorgeous five-inch 1080p screen as HTC's Droid DNA and Butterfly, but what really blew us away was the new phone's solid build quality -- a huge improvement from the older Finder we brought along, though the latter did achieve a 6.65mm thickness, whereas the new one comes in at 8.8mm thick. The Find 5's shape and feel also reminded us of Sony's Xperia S. It'll be about a month before Oppo pushes its new phone into various markets, so it'll be awhile before we get a review unit to test the various features. For now, enjoy our hands-on photos below. Update: Check out our hands-on video after the break! %Gallery-173178%
