The iPhone SE is causing a headache for low-cost Chinese OEMs. Photo: Apple

Apple’s affordable 4-inch iPhone SE is causing a major headache for Chinese makers of low-cost Android phones.

Supply chain manufacturers in Taiwan and China are reportedly becoming more conservative about building up inventories of smartphone components from companies including Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo as the iPhone SE squeezes the competition.

Samsung’s struggle continues in China. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

As the iPhone becomes increasingly popular in China, its Galaxy-branded rivals are falling. According to the latest data from Strategy Analytics, Samsung dropped out of the top five smartphone makers in China last year, with Apple the only non-Chinese company to make the list.

The Oppo R7. Screenshot: Cult of Android

The shortcut to making a good-looking smartphone is to shave off its bezels, and that’s exactly what Oppo appears to have done with its upcoming R7 handset, which has been pictured out in the wild ahead of its official debut.

Could this be Oppo’s first smartwatch? Photo: Weibo

All eyes may be on the Apple Watch ahead of today’s event, but for Android Wear fans, Oppo could have something much more exciting up its sleeve.

The Chinese company’s first wearable, which is expected to launch alongside the upcoming Find 9 smartphone, will reportedly boast fast-charging technology that will completely recharge its battery from zero to 100% in just five minutes.

The Oppo RC1 is a midrange stunner. Photo: Oppo

Apple failed to get its sapphire glass ready for its latest smartphones, but Chinese manufacturer Oppo did not. Its new RC1, a midrange handset with a 5-inch display, has a sapphire back panel that allows the device to be incredibly thin but still surprisingly sturdy.