Indian consumers are well-informed with very specific needs: Damyant Singh Khanoria

OPPO India has taken the wraps off its latest marvel, the Find N3 Flip, and it's poised to make a significant mark in the smartphone industry. With a price tag of INR 94,999, this cutting-edge foldable device is set to hit the shelves at 6 PM on October 22. You'll have your pick of two stunning colours: Cream Gold and Sleek Black, and what's more, it can be yours for as little as INR 82,999 after factoring in enticing cashbacks and incentives.

In an exclusive conversation with Adgully, Damyant Singh Khanoria, Chief Marketing Officer, OPPO India, provides valuable insights into what makes the OPPO Find N3 Flip a standout in the world of smartphones. Notably, this remarkable device is more than just a phone; it's designed to offer a "Lifestyle Forward Feature" that aligns seamlessly with OPPO's brand philosophy. It's a device that transcends conventional boundaries and stands as a testament to OPPO's unwavering commitment to innovation and much more…

The OPPO Find N3 Flip is said to offer a "Lifestyle Forward Feature." Could you elaborate on what this feature entails and how it aligns with OPPO's brand philosophy? What sets the OPPO Find N3 Flip apart in terms of both technology and design?

The OPPO Find N3 Flip boasts several industry-firsts that make it #TheBestFlip. It's the first flip to feature a triple camera setup, improved by our partnership with Hasselblad for unique shooting style, authentic UI, and artistic filters. Certified by TUV Rheinland, it's the most durable flip, with 600,000 folds which is equivalent to folding and unfolding your device 100 times a day for 16 years. The Alert Slider is a handy addition, letting you switch between Silent, Vibrate, and Ring modes with ease. It's also equipped with a 44W SUPERVOOCTM fast-charging, going 0 to 100% in just 56 minutes.

Our vertical cover screen is a game-changer. It supports over 40 of the most popular apps, including Gmail, Google Pay, Maps, X (Twitter), Outlook, Uber, WhatsApp, and Calendar. You can access all these apps without even opening your phone. One of the coolest features is the Flexform Interval Shooting – you can capture multiple photos with a single tap and then easily select your favourites to create a GIF. It's like having a whole world of customisation at your fingertips, and that's what makes it the most versatile cover screen on any flip phone. In addition, you can switch between over 20 different styles of wallpaper, and we've even added interactive pets to make it even more enjoyable. 

Can you share some insights into OPPO India's marketing strategy for high-end phones, especially in a competitive market like India? Can you share any innovative marketing or promotional campaigns that OPPO India has planned to create buzz around the launch of the OPPO Find N3 Flip?

OPPO India innovates to create products that blend functionality and aesthetics, while investing in marketing to reach the right audience and build strong brand recall.

To generate excitement for the OPPO Find N3 Flip launch, we introduced the #MadeToBeIconic campaign, which brings together both the 'OGs' and 'Gen Zs' of Bollywood to celebrate the phone's timeless elegance. The campaign features Zeenat Aman, Jackie Shroff, Janhvi Kapoor and Siddhant Chaturvedi. While Janhvi Kapoor recreates Zeenat Aman's iconic 'Laila O Laila' moment with the OPPO Find N3 Flip, emphasising timelessness, Jackie Shroff and Siddhant Chaturvedi add their unique charm, demonstrating how different generations of fashion icons can unite on one stage. OPPO, known for style and innovation, resonates perfectly with their fan following, making this star-studded lineup an ideal fit for the brand.

Our past successful partnerships with celebrities such as SS Rajamouli, Varun Dhawan, and Ranbir Kapoor for various series exemplify this approach. 

The smartphone industry is constantly evolving. How does OPPO plan to maintain its reputation for premiumisation and personalisation in its smartphones, such as the upcoming OPPO Find N3 Flip?

We have expanded our product portfolio to cater to the premium segment, which exhibits a growing demand for high-end, technologically innovative smartphones. There is a huge demographic that is looking for value and are willing to pay for what they need. Luxury is not new to India, and we believe that Indian consumers are well-informed with very specific needs. Our offerings will resonate with people who are looking for a smartphone that suits their purpose and lifestyle.

OPPO is driven by technology innovation, and we have made huge R&D strides in smartphone photography, materials, added a powerful impetus to the smartphone Industry. We made our foray into the segment with the Find N2 Flip as we realised consumers in the premium segment are seeking freshness & form factor innovation. The Find N2 Flip—a culmination of five years of R&D— brought together the best in foldable technology and design and created an inflexion durable design, foldable creaseless displays, safe fast-charging battery technologies, and OS optimisation. Foldables have point in the flip phone industry. We’ve seen very strong growth for foldables in India and we anticipate a 2X growth for our Find N3 Flip compared to the last one.

With the festive season being a time for family gatherings and celebrations, how does OPPO envision the OPPO Find N3 Flip fitting into the lifestyles of consumers during this period?

The OPPO Find N3 Flip is a smartphone for all seasons. Available in Cream Gold and Sleek Black, it perfectly complements your festive attire and easily fits into your kurta or handbag. When folded, it's incredibly compact, just half the size of a regular smartphone. Designed with your busy, on-the-go lifestyle in mind, it makes life easier and more convenient.

The Find N3 Flip is your go-to phone for capturing the best moments during festivals. Whether you're taking portraits in front of festive lights or joining family gatherings, this phone excels in every situation. This device captures incredible pictures with a cinematic bokeh effect which beautifully blurs the background, making your subject pop and creating a magical and professional look.

Festivals are a time of heightened consumer expectations. How does OPPO plan to ensure a smooth and delightful customer experience, both in terms of product availability and customer support?

We've teamed up with retailers and top e-commerce platforms like Flipkart to make sure you can easily get your hands on the OPPO Find N3 Flip, whether you prefer online or offline shopping. But that's not all, we've got you covered with international warranty, a refresh service for screen guard and back cover replacements (you can do it twice within the warranty), flexible EMI options for service and repairs, and even a 15% discount on the first display repair for accidental damage. OPPO India has unveiled its latest foldable, the Find N3 Flip, priced at INR 94,999. It will become available—at 6 PM on October 22—in Cream Gold and Sleek Black at OPPO Stores, Flipkart, and mainline retail outlets.

It is available in two colours: Cream Gold and Sleek Black and can be purchased for as low as INR 82,999 after cashbacks and incentives.

We are ready to make the festive season a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for our valued customers.