BBK Electronics - what kind of brand is it and what smartphones does it produce?

Let's talk about a Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer that is quietly taking over the smartphone market.

BBK Electronics was founded in 1995 under the leadership of Duan Yongping. The brand has established itself as a manufacturer of budget DVD players, and still produces affordable TVs, known in the CIS countries. But the vendor's subsidiaries, which include OPPO, OnePlus, Realme and Vivo, are of greatest interest.

A little about the creator of BBK

Duan Yongping received two higher educations: in radio electronics and economics. Then he devoted two years to studying at the China-European International Business School, from where he graduated with a Master of Business Administration.

At first, Duan Yongping worked as a teacher for factory workers. After receiving a master's degree in 1989, he took a management position at SUBOR, at that time an unprofitable plant. During 5 years of work in a high position, he brought the company out of crisis and generated profits of several billion yuan by creating more affordable replicas of the NES game console, known in the CIS countries as Dendi.

In 1995, the functionary left the post of executive director, created BBK and was the main shareholder of the company until the launch of the affiliate program in 1999. In 2002, Duan Yongping retained a 17% stake and moved to live in the United States, where he currently resides.

The birth of OPPO

The trademark was registered in 2001, but its actual existence began in 2004. In the first years, the company was engaged in the production of MP3 players, and to increase sales it put the name of its “parent” BBK on the body. At the same time, expansion into the US market took place, where OPPO, under its own name, promoted acoustics, televisions and DVD players.

The brand's first push-button phone appeared in 2008, the touchscreen model hit the shelves in 2009, and 2011 marked the debut among Android smartphones. The then OPPO Find X903 advertised Leonardo DiCaprio, for which he received an impressive fee. By the end of 2013, the brand took 7th place in smartphone sales in China.

In 2021, the brand continues to release budget, mid-budget and flagship smartphones. Among the latter, we note the OPPO Find X2 Pro on SD865 with a display refresh rate of 120 Hz and IP68 protection.

Who is BBK?

BBK Electronics has been active in various sectors of the electronics industry in China since the 1990s. The founder and head of the company is Chinese entrepreneur and billionaire Duan Yongping. Having received more than 1 billion yuan after the successful launch of the Subor game console, a competitor to Nintendo, Duan left his then post as head of the Chinese plant in 1995. After leaving, he founded the company Bubugao, which eventually became BBK. Currently, BBK owns factories with a total area of about 10 hectares, and the company has more than 17 thousand employees.

The BBK company began with the production of CD and DVD players, as well as other household appliances. And in 2004, Duan Yongping and Tony Chen founded the OPPO brand, under which they produced DVD and Blu-ray players, and only then it entered the smartphone market.

"Independent" OnePlus

Former vice president of OPPO Pete Lau is responsible for the emergence of OnePlus in 2013. Having allegedly left his post, he organized a startup to create a “dream smartphone.” In fact, OnePlus turned out to be a “daughter” of OPPO, as evidenced by the vendor’s first model, OnePlus One, which is reminiscent of the OPPO Find 7 in design.

In general, the line was positioned as a “flagship killer” and was aimed at geeks, which was facilitated by top-end characteristics at an affordable price. Unlike its “big sister,” OnePlus initially released one smartphone per year, and starting with OnePlus 3, two. This was facilitated by the T line - the same models, but with “pumped up” characteristics and an updated design (not always).

By 2021, the brand’s smartphones have turned from “flagship killer” into top-end flagships, and now the vendor produces four devices each.

The best VVK TVs

Today there are a large number of different TVs of this brand. Each model has certain technical characteristics and has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the best TVs from the VVK brand, released in 2019-2020.

BBK 19LEM-1043/T2C 19″

Compact model with a glossy screen. Excellent picture, brightness and color saturation. There are enough ports to connect external media.

Options:

display resolution: 1366×768;
dimensions (WxHxD): 438x310x169 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 6 W (2 pieces 3 W each);
VESA: 100x100 mm;
weight: 1.8 kg.

Pros:

the picture is as clear as possible, deep and natural colors;
it is possible to record TV shows or movies onto flash drives;
there are connectors for connecting headphones;
quickly finds a large number of channels;
when viewed from different angles, the picture is not distorted;
convenient menu;
compact size, ideal for small spaces;
minimum weight;
affordable price.

Minuses:

not the best quality sound, requires connecting external speakers;
periodically stops seeing the flash drive;
Poor analog signal reception, the picture is not clear.

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BBK 24LEM-1071/T2C 24″

A functional new product released in 2021. It has small dimensions and is ideal for a small kitchen, living room or cottage. There is a noise reduction function and a sleep timer. There is support for USB 2.0 and HDMI 1.4.

Options:

display resolution: 1366×768;
dimensions (WxHxD): 552x372x154 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 6 W (2 pieces 3 W each);
VESA: 100x100 mm;
weight: 2.3 kg.

Pros:

good image;
pleasant colors that do not put pressure on the eyes, shades are close to natural;
convenient location of connectors on the front panel;
easy-to-use remote control;
there are connectors for connecting headphones;
the sound is clear, spacious and very loud;
The menu is as simple as possible.

Minuses:

poor quality of analogue television;
At first there is a strong plastic smell, but it soon disappears.

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BBK 22LEM-1064/FT2C 21.5″

The LED TV has a strict minimalist design. Excellent functionality, can be used both for watching broadcast television and for computer games. A simple remote control and clear menu make using the device much easier.

Options:

display resolution: 1920×1080;
dimensions (WxHxD): 510x342x165 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 10 W (2 pieces 5 W each);
VESA: 100x100 mm;
weight: 2.1 kg.

Pros:

widescreen display with LED backlight;
the picture is as clear as possible;
there is a built-in multi-format media player that easily plays different video formats, including high-resolution files;
there are conveniently located inputs/outputs, you can connect flash drives and other external media;
The TV can be placed on a stand or mounted on a wall.

Minuses:

the build quality is not the highest, there is a creaking sound when installed on the leg;
The remote control takes some getting used to;
poor sound quality.

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BBK 32LEM-1052/TS2C 32″

An excellent model for a small room. Well suited for the kitchen, living room or bedroom. Good technical characteristics allow the TV to be used for various purposes.

Options:

display resolution: 1366×768;
dimensions (WxHxD): 731x480x180 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 16 W (2 pieces 8 W each);
VESA: 200x200 mm;
weight: 4 kg.

Pros:

no dead pixels or glare;
good level of color rendering;
there is teletext;
good viewing angle;
interesting design;
light TV;
thin body;
fast connection and excellent performance;
All settings are easy and simple;
the edges of the screen are so thin that they are almost invisible;
The set includes two remote controls;
excellent functionality.

Minuses:

The remote control is not very convenient;
The sound is not of the best quality, it is worth connecting additional speakers.

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BBK 40LEX-5058/FT2C 39.5″

LED TV with a large screen that broadcasts images of fairly high quality. There is a Smart TV, Android AOSP operating system. The display's glossy, anti-glare finish allows you to place your TV in front of lighting fixtures or a window.

Options:

display resolution: 1920×1080;
dimensions (WxHxD): 919x583x192 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 16 W (2 pieces 8 W each);
VESA: 200x200 mm;
weight: 5.9 kg.

Pros:

clear picture;
there is built-in memory (8 GB);
fast and stable operation of Smart TV;
Ports for connecting flash drives and other external media are conveniently located on the front and side panels;
You can connect headphones through a special connector;
thanks to the presence of a sleep timer, after the inactivity time set in the settings, the TV automatically turns off;
stable Internet operation;
high quality convenient remote control.

Minuses:

slight delays appear in dynamic scenes;
There is a noticeable pause when switching channels.

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BBK 43LEX-8161/UTS2C 43″

An LCD TV with a high-quality display allows you to enjoy your favorite movies in high definition. It is possible to voice control and use a smartphone instead of a remote control if you additionally install a special application.

Options:

display resolution: 3840×2160;
dimensions (WxHxD): 971x657x205 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 16 W (2 pieces 8 W each);
VESA: 200x200 mm;
sound: 7.4 kg.

Pros:

excellent quality, 4K available;
the image is clear, good detail;
good sound, loud and spacious, you don’t have to connect external speakers;
simple menu;
stable and fast operation of Smart TV;
light and thin body;
It is possible not only to put it on a cabinet, but also to hang it on the wall.

Minuses:

color rendering is slightly distorted;
with intensive use, a random reboot occurs;
The Megafon-TV application does not start, and even if it does turn on, it does not work correctly;
There is no microphone on the remote control; voice control is only possible via a smartphone.

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BBK 39LEM-1056/TS2C 39″

The 2021 model quickly gained popularity among users. The screen is not very large, but not small either, the TV is perfect for placing in the living room. There is a high-quality built-in tuner that perfectly picks up both cable, satellite and terrestrial television.

Options:

display resolution: 1366×768;
dimensions (WxHxD): 887x560x180 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 16 W (2 pieces 8 W each);
VESA: 200x200 mm;
weight: 5.6 kg.

Pros:

good screen, allows you to watch movies in high quality;
good sound, but for surround sound you need to connect external speakers;
HDMI, AV, USB connectors are located on the side and front surfaces;
interesting design, laconic, there is nothing superfluous;
simple menu and easy controls, suitable even for older people;
little weight;
low price;
You can hang the TV on the wall or place it on a cabinet.

Minuses:

The quality of the plastic is not the best;
The remote control is inconvenient and takes some getting used to; you can’t find the right button in the dark.

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BBK 43LEX-8169/UTS2C 43″

Great TV released in 2021. The model is equipped with Smart TV and a high-quality display. The screen has an anti-glare glossy coating. There are powerful speakers that allow you to enjoy high-quality, clear, fairly loud and surround sound.

Options:

display resolution: 3840×2160;
dimensions (WxHxD): 972x606x201 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 16 W (2 pieces 8 W each);
VESA: 200x200 mm;
weight: 7.7 kg.

Pros:

rich and deep shades, natural black;
excellent performance of Smart TV;
there are a sufficient number of ports for comfortable use of TV and connecting various external media;
excellent sound;
there is Bluetooth for connecting headphones;
convenient menu, everything is simple and accessible;
good functionality;
modern budget model;
reads different video formats;
Beautiful design;
The TV weighs a little for such a large size.

Minuses:

the legs seem unstable, it is better to hang them on the wall;
In the dark it is difficult to find the right button on the remote control.

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BBK 40LEX-7158/FTS2C 40″

LCD TV with a large, high-quality screen and Smart TV support. Modern technical components allow the model to be used not only for watching broadcast television, but also for watching movies on the Internet and for playing computer games.

Options:

display resolution: 1920×1080;
dimensions (WxHxD): 919x583x192 mm;
frame rate: 50 Hz;
speaker power: 16 W (2 pieces 8 W each);
VESA: 200x200 mm;
weight: 5.8 kg.

Pros:

a high-quality picture does not put pressure on the eyes;
good and clear sound, loud, no extraneous noise or other interference;
Wi-Fi works great, doesn’t slow down or disconnect when watching movies;
natural and deep shades, including black;
The OS is stable and fast;
low cost for a device with such a large screen.

Minuses:

the body is not made of the best material;
There is an unpleasant smell of plastic from the remote control.

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BBK 32LEX-7273/TS2C 32″

The model is equipped with Smart TV on the Yandex platform. It is possible to watch thousands of TV series and films in high quality on the KinoPoisk platform. The advantages of the model include the presence of Bluetooth and a remote control with a microphone, which opens up the possibility of voice control.

Options:

display resolution: 1366×768;
dimensions (WxHxD): 730x473x186 mm;
frame rate: 60 Hz;
speaker power: 20 W (2 pcs. 10 W each);
VESA: 200x100 kg;
weight: 4.1 kg.

Pros:

excellent work Smart TV;
there are great customization options;
compact size and light weight;
there is RAM (1 GB) and built-in (8 GB) memory;
conveniently located entrances/exits;
clear and simple controls;
wide functionality;
possibility of wall mounting;
affordable price;
stylish design.

Minuses:

unstable legs, better mounted on the wall;
The Internet periodically stops working and needs to be reconnected.

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Realme phenomenon

In May 2021, the Realme brand appeared on the market. As in the case of OnePlus, the place of CEO was taken by a native of OPPO - former vice president Sky Lee. The vendor's smartphones were aimed at conquering the Indian market. In the first year of its existence, the brand sold about 25 million smartphones.

In 2021, the company entered the market in more than 20 countries, including Russia. Interestingly, Realme in India is a direct competitor to OPPO in the budget segment.

Chinese Vivo

The Vivo brand is considered to be the second sub-brand of BBK. It was founded in 2009, the first smartphone from it appeared in 2011, and the Vivo X1, released in 2012, attracted attention with a dedicated DAC. The company's first phones, similar to players from OPPO, are distinguished by the BBK brand logo on the body.

Vivo mainly targets the Chinese market. Attempts to enter the international arena are considered unsuccessful, and the current situation in India calls into question Realme's influence.

BBK Brands

BBK's first major subsidiary was Vivo, founded by Duan and Shen Wei in 2009. The first Vivo smartphones appeared on the market in 2011. The emphasis was on the ultra-thin form factor, and celebrities advertised Vivo smartphones. Vivo's main focus is feature-rich mid-range smartphones, but the brand has gained popularity in recent years with its experimental Apex smartphones and flagship NEX series.

Realme is one of the newest brands of BBK. Its history began in China in 2010 with the OPPO Real series, and in 2021 the company rebranded to bring Realme to a number of new markets, including India and Europe. Realme is headed by Sky Li, former vice president of OPPO Electronics. Realme smartphones offer modern technology at an affordable price.

By the way, before the advent of Realme, former OPPO vice president Pete Lau and Carl Pei founded the OnePlus brand in 2013. This is perhaps one of the most recognizable and premium brands of the Chinese giant. Moreover, OnePlus is still a subsidiary of OPPO. However, OnePlus initially had and remains a completely different business model than Vivo and OPPO. The brand is focused primarily on online sales of its smartphones through platforms such as Amazon. This approach allowed BBK to enter the markets of Europe and the USA.

Impact on the market

According to a report by Trustdata, as of April 2020, OPPO and Vivo rank 1st and 2nd in smartphone sales in the Chinese market, displacing Huawei to third position. At the end of the third quarter of 2021, OPPO took the 5th position in smartphone sales in the world, and January 2021 was marked by the 5th position of the BBK brand in smartphone sales in Russia.

An important aspect in the development of the company's sub-brands has been their independence, which is reflected in healthy competition in the home market of China and in other regions.