The New Fold: OPPO Find N3’s Impact on Mobile Innovation & Design

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  • 2024

  • Product
    Consumer Electronics

Designed In:

China

The OPPO Find N3, the first globally commercialised horizontal folding smartphone by OPPO, integrates a pro-grade Hasselblad camera system within an ultra-thin design. It offers a fusion of phone and tablet, designed for users seeking superior functionality and aesthetics. This device transforms mobile experiences, setting a new benchmark in foldables.


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  • CHALLENGE
  • SOLUTION
  • IMPACT
  • MORE
  • The primary challenge was to engineer a foldable smartphone that maintained the slim profile and aesthetic elegance of traditional high-end phones while incorporating professional-grade camera technology and achieving a seamless large display with minimal crease. Traditional foldables often sacrifice camera quality for compactness, resulting in bulkier devices with inferior photographic capabilities. OPPO aimed to eliminate these compromises by developing a device that provided the robust functionality and superior aesthetics expected of flagship smartphones. The objective was to revolutionise the foldable market by minimising the display crease and integrating top-tier camera performance without increasing the device’s thickness.

  • OPPO Find N3’s solution centres on a radical Flexion Hinge redesign featuring aerospace-grade carbon fibre plates for reduced weight and enhanced rigidity, alongside liquid metal for precise long-term operation. The result is a near crease-free 7.82-inch tablet-like experience, a remarkably thinner and lighter form factor, and enhanced screen energy efficiency for long-lasting usability. OPPO integrated a professional-grade triple camera system featuring the first two-layer stacked pixel technology in a foldable, significantly enhancing low-light photography, a common weakness in previous foldables. These materials and design choices allow the device to maintain a slim profile without compromising functionality, overcoming traditional foldable limitations.

  • OPPO Find N3’s expansive screen empowers multitasking, while the Hasselblad triple camera system delivers pro-grade imaging versatility. OPPO’s commitment to longevity ensures a lasting investment, featuring a redesigned hinge, a multi-layer screen, and sustainable Battery Health Engine, propelling the Find N3’s success, with sales outpacing OPPO’s previous flagship by five times globally. The Find N3 quickly became a market leader, selling out in Australia within three months of launch. It converted over 80% of its buyers from other flagship models, demonstrating its appeal across high-end segments. The device also won the Best Foldable Phone at the YANKO DESIGN AWARDS.

  • Pro-grade Photography: The Hasselblad-tuned triple-camera system delivers exceptional image quality across three popular focal lengths: 14mm ultra-wide, 24mm wide, and 70mm telephoto. Sony’s LYTIA-T808 stacked pixel sensor on the wide camera captures 140% more light than traditional sensors, resulting in exceptional detail and dynamic range. The powerful optical zoom telephoto lens delivers clear, crisp images even at a distance. OPPO’s advanced image processing ensures stunning low-light photos and videos. Enhanced Productivity: OPPO’s operating system designed for the Find N3, ColorOS 13.2, introduces true 3-window Boundless View for PC-level multitasking on the expansive 7.8-inch foldable display. The Global Taskbar provides lightning-fast access to recent apps and files, streamlining workflows for maximum efficiency. Flagship Power: The cutting-edge Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 mobile platform ensures lightning-fast performance, while the large 4800mAh battery and 67W SUPERVOOC, which can charge the phone to 80% in just 30 minutes, deliver long-lasting power and rapid charging. Premium Materials: Durable Ultra-Thin Nanocrystal Glass shields the 6.3-inch outer screen from scratches and impacts. The advanced Flexion Hinge features aerospace-grade materials for a premium, long-lasting feel. The Find N3’s sleek, ergonomic design ensures comfortable use whether open or closed.