It feels like just yesterday when we were marveling at the Oppo Reno11 series launched in Kenya in January. Before we could even unwrap our minds (or wallets) around the Reno11 F, launched in April as a budget-friendly alternative — and one that is fun to have and use, Oppo has already unveiled its successor – the Oppo Reno12 series. Yes, you read that right. Barely five months later, we have another shiny new phone to ogle at, but one has to wonder: Who exactly is the target audience for this whirlwind of tech releases?
Phones today are engineered to last. Expecting consumers to upgrade every few months seems, well, a bit much. Let’s face it, no one should be upgrading their phone every 5 months. Not even the tech aficionados who live and breathe the latest gadgets.
Oppo, with its rapid-fire product launches, appears to be targeting users of older models. Perhaps those holding onto the Reno10 or even the Reno9 might be the primary audience here. But let’s be real for a moment. We are still savoring the features of the Reno11. And before we’ve even had a chance to figure out the best selfie filter on the Reno11 F, which just landed in our hands a couple of months ago, we’re being bombarded with whispers of the Reno12.
Again, smartphones these days are built to last, and with the rising cost of living in Kenya, most of us aren’t exactly eager to upgrade our phones every five months. Heck, we’re still trying to figure out how to pay for unga, yet Oppo is here trying so hard to make one feel like they’re living in an episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” But instead of designer handbags, we’re juggling smartphones.
When I wrote this article last month, I didn’t expect a global launch of the Oppo Reno12 series this soon. But the phone arrived in Europe last month, Indians already have an official launch date, and I bet it won’t be long before the phone starts hitting shelves in more markets across the globe.
Still, the big question is, who is this new series even targeting? Surely, Oppo doesn’t expect the early adopters who shelled out their hard-earned shillings for the Reno11 a few months ago to suddenly trade it in for the latest model? That would be like buying a new car and then trading it in for the next year’s model before the new car smell even wears off.
Of course, Oppo Kenya has remained tight-lipped about the Reno12’s availability in the country, but even if it does arrive on our shores, it’s likely to be a while before it makes its way to our local stores. In the meantime, can we please just have a moment to enjoy our Reno11s (or Reno11 Fs, for those who were lucky enough to snag one)? I’d hate to be served a delicious meal only to have the waiter whisk it away before I’ve even taken a bite. And I know you do too.
The constant churn of new phone releases can leave consumers feeling overwhelmed and even a bit frustrated. But always remember that you don’t have to keep up with the Joneses (or in this case, the Oppos). So, take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy your current smartphone. Who knows, maybe by the time the Reno13 rolls around, we’ll all be ready for an upgrade. Or maybe, just maybe, we’ll have finally figured out how to use all the features on our Reno11s.
