Last Updated on February 25, 2025
OPPO is developing chips for its flagship smartphones. Nikkei reports that its homemade custom SoCs might be used on flagship phones in early 2023 or 2024. Reportedly, OPPO wants to use TSMC’s 3nm technology for its chips.
OPPO has been using Qualcomm and Mediatek made chips for its smartphones. But if it starts using its own chipsets, it will serve as another blow to the US-based chipmaker, Qualcomm.
Read: Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 888 Plus 5G Chipset At MWC
Many Phonemakers Use Their Own Chips
Several key phone makers have used their own chipsets for their devices. Google has just launched Pixel 6 devices that comes with a custom SoC, called Tensor.
Apple has long designed its own A-series chips for its smartphones. Samsung meanwhile, builds its own Exynos chips but also uses Snapdragon SoCs by Qualcomm. Xiaomi once started its own project in 2014 but discontinued and now uses Snapdragon chipsets for its flagship phones
US semi-conductor has been losing a large share of smartphone vendors for its chip businesses. If OPPO also develops its own chips, Qualcomm’s losses will deepen further.
OPPO is currently the fourth-largest smartphone maker in the world in terms of shipments. The Chinese smartphone OEM has made phenomenal strides in recent years. Its recent records also make it a possible candidate to compete with Xiaomi and Samsung in leading markets.
OPPO’s marketing is handled by BBK Electronics which maintains the supply chain for Realme, Vivo, and OnePlus. This could mean that if OPPO successfully implements its chipset programs, they could power devices from other sibling brands too.
In-House Chips Brings Benefits
Using homemade chips have its benefits. Using their own chips for smartphones better positions them to optimize their phone’s performance. It also helps them with pushing updates more frequently and at fewer intervals.
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OPPO is reportedly planning on introducing its custom SoCs in 2023 or 2024. However, it has not responded directly to the rumors. We could only wait and watch how this pans out in the coming months.
