Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra will be the only “Ultra” flagship to enter worldwide shops in 2025 after OPPO suddenly scrapped its intentions to introduce the Find X8 Ultra to global markets. This decision has left tech aficionados perplexed. Earlier today, February 26, 2025, tech leaker Yogesh Brar revealed the news on X. Since then, the smartphone community has responded in various ways, from sadness to calculated nods.
Many people assumed that OPPO’s flagship Find X8 Ultra would follow the worldwide rollout route of its brothers, the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro, which caused a stir outside of China in 2024. Rumours about the device have been circulating for months. However, Brar’s post claims that OPPO has drastically changed and only offers the Find X8 Ultra domestically. Fans are puzzled after Brar called the choice “another bad decision.” What does this signify for OPPO’s worldwide aspirations, and why the retreat?
Examining the X chatter, we found various answers, from perplexity—”Cancelled? Curious about the device’s specifications and OPPO’s future, one person said, “Was it even a plan?” “Out of China, no one would spend a bomb on Oppo phones, so it makes sense,” another user said, implying that there may be issues with price, brand perception, or intense competition in other countries. Global hopes for the Find X8 Ultra are still on hold. However, some think OPPO may consider a foldable or another Ultra model for the following year.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the only one coming out of China:
Conversely, Xiaomi is taking advantage of the situation. According to Brar’s article, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the only “Ultra” smartphone making its worldwide debut this year. This is a daring move for the Chinese behemoth that has been gaining ground. The 15 Ultra is expected to debut in a high-profile manner with the worldwide deployment of the Xiaomi 15, according to recent reports, including those from NotebookCheck.net, which validate Xiaomi’s aggressive push. The 15 Ultra, which may fill the gap left by OPPO’s withdrawal, is positioned as a photographic powerhouse with a reinforced display and a rumoured 200MP telephoto camera.
What, therefore, is OPPO’s motivation? Industry rumours indicate that it may be a combination of causes, such as the slow demand for high-end devices outside of China, issues with manufacturing costs, or a strategic emphasis on profitability in the face of a challenging 2025 market, as described in Canalys’ most recent report. With companies like OPPO and Xiaomi fighting to balance profit margins and market share, the smartphone industry is preparing for a “tricky” year. Apple is preparing to surpass Samsung as the industry leader at the same time. OPPO took a calculated risk by keeping the Find X8 Ultra local to prevent weakening its brand or overstretching its resources in unproductive areas.
This creates a golden window for Xiaomi. The business is stepping up its worldwide effort after seeing a 15% increase in shipments in 2024, primarily due to robust sales in China and developing regions. If the 15 Ultra lives up to the claimed improvements over the 14 Ultra, its worldwide launch, which is anticipated for early 2025, might solidify Xiaomi’s place as a leading competitor in the premium market.
Vivo X200 Ultra will be limited to China:
The fanbase’s divided views are well shown in the X discussion that followed Brar’s article. Some lament the passing of a possible OPPO flagship, while one person asks, “What about the Vivo X200 Ultra!?” implying that Vivo rivalry may also play a role. However, other people saw Xiaomi’s domination as a victory, as shown by the reactions that include phrases like “Now buy Xiaomi.”
Smartphone enthusiasts worldwide will be keenly monitoring April, as OPPO’s Find X8 Ultra is allegedly scheduled to debut in China in that month, according to OPPO’s product manager Zhou Yibao. Is this the beginning of a new, more regional approach, or will OPPO surprise us with an unexpected worldwide rollout? And as the only “Ultra” flagbearer on the international scene, can Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra live up to the hype?
