Key Highlights:
- Oppo and MediaTek announced new on-device AI capabilities at MWC 2026.
- The companies previewed the Omni AI model, designed to run fully on smartphones.
- Enhanced AI Translate and AI Portrait Glow features are coming to the Oppo Find X9 series.
- The upgrades will roll out through the ColorOS 16 update powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9500.
Oppo and MediaTek unveiled new on-device artificial intelligence capabilities for future smartphones during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026. The collaboration focuses on running advanced AI features directly on smartphones without requiring cloud connectivity.
The announcement came during MediaTek’s AI for Life keynote, where the companies previewed a new AI system called Omni, an on-device multimodal AI model. According to the companies, the technology aims to deliver faster responses, stronger privacy, and more personalized smartphone experiences.
The partnership signals a shift toward AI that runs locally on smartphones, reducing reliance on remote servers while improving real-time performance.
Oppo, MediaTek Push On-Device AI Strategy Forward
The partnership between Oppo, MediaTek centers on developing AI capabilities that operate directly on the device’s chipset. This approach aims to deliver faster AI interactions while protecting user data.
Jason Liao, President of the Oppo Research Institute, highlighted the company’s strategy during the announcement.
He said, “On-device Compute is a cornerstone of Oppo’s AI strategy, making AI a perceptible, real-time experience integrated into everyday usage.”
According to Oppo, running AI locally allows smartphones to process tasks instantly. As a result, users may see lower latency and better privacy protection because data does not need to travel to cloud servers.
This approach is becoming increasingly important as smartphone companies compete to deliver smarter and more responsive AI features.
What Is the Omni AI Model Announced by Oppo and MediaTek?
One of the most notable announcements from Oppo, MediaTek at MWC 2026 was the preview of the Omni AI model.
Omni is designed as an on-device multimodal AI system capable of understanding different types of input. The model can process:
- Voice commands
- Video inputs
- Text prompts
This capability allows smartphones to interpret user queries across multiple formats and deliver context-aware responses.
For example, a user could speak a question while pointing the camera at an object. The AI model could analyze both the visual input and the spoken request before delivering an answer.
Because Omni runs entirely on-device, it does not require an internet connection or cloud processing to perform these tasks.
However, Oppo has not yet confirmed when the Omni AI model will reach consumer smartphones or which devices will receive it first.
AI Translate and AI Portrait Glow Getting Upgrades
The collaboration between Oppo and MediaTek will also improve existing AI features on upcoming Oppo smartphones.
The companies confirmed upgrades to AI Translate and AI Portrait Glow in the Oppo Find X9 series.
These improvements will be powered by MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9500 chipset.
AI Translate improvements
Oppo says the upgraded AI Translate feature delivers about 15 percent better translation accuracy. It also improves multilingual support, allowing users to translate conversations across more languages.
Because the feature runs locally on the device, translation can occur faster and without requiring an internet connection.
AI Portrait Glow improvements
Meanwhile, the enhanced AI Portrait Glow feature focuses on improving smartphone photography.
The upgraded system analyzes scene lighting more accurately. It can then reconstruct the illumination digitally, creating more balanced portrait images.
This feature aims to deliver results comparable to cloud-based AI photography tools.
The upgrades are expected to roll out through the upcoming ColorOS 16 software update.
Why Smartphone Makers Are Moving Toward On-Device AI
The announcements from Oppo, MediaTek reflect a broader shift in the smartphone industry.
For years, most advanced AI features relied heavily on cloud computing. While powerful, cloud-based AI introduces several limitations.
These include slower response times, higher network dependency, and potential privacy concerns.
On-device AI addresses these challenges.
By processing data directly on the phone’s chipset, devices can deliver:
- Faster responses
- Reduced network usage
- Stronger privacy protections
Chipmakers such as MediaTek are therefore designing processors capable of running large AI models locally.
This trend has also become visible across the smartphone industry, as companies race to integrate more AI capabilities into mobile devices.
Oppo Find X9 Pro Gets Recognition at MWC 2026
Alongside the AI announcements, Oppo also revealed that the Oppo Find X9 Pro received recognition at the event.
The device was shortlisted for the Best Smartphone category at the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards, which are organized annually by the GSMA during Mobile World Congress.
The recognition highlights Oppo’s focus on combining hardware innovation with AI-driven software capabilities.
MWC often serves as a platform where companies preview upcoming technologies before wider commercial releases.
What Happens Next for Oppo and MediaTek AI Plans?
Although the Omni AI model remains in preview, the collaboration between Oppo, MediaTek suggests that future smartphones could rely less on cloud processing for AI features.
If implemented widely, on-device AI could enable smartphones to handle complex tasks locally, including visual analysis, multilingual communication, and contextual assistance.
However, Oppo has not yet confirmed the rollout timeline for Omni or the first devices that will support it.
For now, the companies say the upcoming ColorOS 16 update and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 chipset will be the first step in bringing these capabilities to consumers.
As smartphone AI evolves, the partnership between Oppo, MediaTek could shape how AI operates directly on personal devices.
