Oppo is reportedly preparing to enter the handheld smart imaging market with a new gimbal camera device, marking its expansion beyond smartphones and wearables.
According to a report from China’s Blue Whale Media, the company has internally started development of a dedicated camera product that could compete with compact smart cameras already available in the market.
Project “Fuyao” Approved Internally
Sources familiar with the matter claim Oppo has approved the initiative under the internal codename Fuyao.
The new product is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of this year. Reports also suggest the upcoming Oppo Find X10 series may debut in October, with the company possibly unveiling its first gimbal camera during the same launch event.
Oppo is said to be investing significant resources into the project, with its strong mobile imaging expertise considered a major advantage for entering this category.
Rival Smartphone Brands Also Expanding
The report added that several competing smartphone brands are also developing similar products.
Vivo is reportedly working on its own handheld gimbal camera, with prototypes already reaching the moulding stage. The company is also said to be developing a separate vlogging camera that could launch alongside the Vivo X500 series in September.
Honor has already stepped into the segment through its broader ecosystem strategy.
Challenge to DJI and Insta360
Industry analysts believe the arrival of major smartphone brands could disrupt a market currently dominated by DJI and Insta360.
They note that smartphone makers already have strong advantages in imaging software, AI-powered photography tools, supply chain efficiency, and large offline retail networks.
These strengths may allow them to introduce advanced camera products with competitive pricing and compact designs.
Fast-Growing Market
According to IDC data cited in the report, global shipments of handheld smart cameras — including gimbal, action, and panoramic devices — reached 16.65 million units in 2025.
The category recorded strong annual growth, with gimbal cameras emerging as the fastest-growing segment.
DJI reportedly held around 62% market share, while Insta360 accounted for nearly 12%, showing how dominant the two brands currently remain.
