OPPO has refuted reports that it has no plans to sell its Find 5 flagship smartphone in Europe by launching the device through a new, dedicated Web store today.
The high-end smartphone, which offers a pretty gorgeous 5-inch touchscreen with a 1080×1920 resolution (441 ppi), is known as being one of the first Android handsets to come equipped with a full HD display. It runs on a 1.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, alongside 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage.
Elsewhere, the OPPO Find 5 comes equipped with a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, as well as a weaker 1.9-megapxel snapper on the front. Video recording supports 1080p at 30 frames per second and there’s a simple LED flash for low-light situations. It runs Android version 4.1 (Jelly Bean), albeit with OPPO’s own skin and smattering of exclusive apps.
OPPO is selling the 16GB version for €399 and the upgraded 32GB iteration for €429, along with free express shipping to anyone within the European Union. The smartphone is also available in both the White and Midnight color variant, although it’s worth noting that the latter can only be purchased as the 32GB model for now.
A bunch of accessories for the Find 5 is also available through OPPO’s new European Web store, including an asssortment of covers in navy, red, amber and linen.
When TNW reviewed the Find 5 in March, our own Josh Ong described the device as “one of the most well-built phones we’ve seen come out of China”. It does have a few quirks, however, such as the complete absence of LTE support and some rather outdated widgets on the home screen.
Nevertheless, it’s an incredibly affordable device that should attract consumers in Europe who are looking for a cheaper alternative to the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 or HTC One.
OPPO is yet to make much of a dent outside of its domestic market in China and will struggle to make much headway without the support from brick-and-mortar stores. Nevertheless, introducing its flagship Android smartphone in Europe through a dedicated Web store is a promising first step towards targeting Western markets.
Variety and competition, of course, is increasingly important for an Android ecosystem that is becoming increasingly dominated by Samsung. A fresh approach to hardware design and a wallet-friendly price tag could be just what the doctor ordered for consumers across Europe.
Hat tip: Pocket Lint
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