Update | OPPO is finally ready to launch its first-ever foldable smartphone

Update: A new leak might confirm the launch of ColorOS 12, at least. A Weibo tipster has claims that OPPO's mobile smart assistant, Breeno, brought up a response involving the date September 13, 2021 (at 15:00 Chinese time (09:00 CET)) when asked about the software upgrade. However, this apparent spoler is reportedly no longer available to the AI. It would be a little odd for it to be accurate, as Google has given no sign of releasing Android 12 itself that early.

Original Article: OPPO is a mobile device OEM that has not released a new top-end Android smartphone or a new version of its take on the same software (ColorOS) for some time, especially when compared with the record of some counterparts in this market such as Xiaomi. However, the eminent tipster Digital Chat Station asserts that both are indeed incoming.

In fact, the leaker now claims that not only are these mid- to late-2021 OPPO flagships on the way, some of them will also feature the OEM's inaugural foldable-display technology. They are now touted to arrive in a variety of sizes (perhaps so as to match up to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3).

This alleged bevy of candy-bar and foldable smartphones or phablets are tipped to be powered by either the Snapdragon 865 or 888, with no mention of the slightly newer 888+. On the other hand, Digital Chat Station has indicated that OPPO would release foldables before, to arrive in the second quarter of 2021 on that occasion.

This prediction clearly failed to pan out; on the other hand, that is not to say this new post might also prove inaccurate this time. In terms of design, OPPO has a number of choices, from clamshells like the Z Flip3 (albeit with a display that might fold in completely the opposite way) to more innovative, multi-hinged devices (although they were in distinctly prototype-only form on their last appearance).

Then again, this new leak seems to represent shrinking hopes for a market-ready version of the potentially even more cutting-edge X 2021 rollable device instead.

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