Apple vs Oppo: The Legal Battle Over Alleged Apple Watch Tech Theft Intensifies

The legal feud between Apple and Oppo over alleged Apple Watch trade secret theft is heating up. As we reported earlier, the case centers on Chen Shi, a former Apple engineer accused of walking out with confidential sensor technology and sharing it with Oppo.

Now, fresh court filings reveal that Apple is doubling down on those allegations, claiming Oppo actively benefited from the stolen information.

Apple Says Oppo Used Stolen Watch Technology

In its latest filing, Apple accused Oppo of gaining from proprietary Apple Watch sensor data that Shi allegedly downloaded before leaving the company. The company claims Shi gave a detailed internal presentation titled “Apple Sensor Hardware R&D Philosophy and Methodology” to hundreds of Oppo employees, using slides taken directly from Apple’s internal documents.

Apple alleges the presentation included technical data about sensor hardware, health-tracking design, and heart rate detection methods—key elements behind the Apple Watch’s core health features.

Apple also told the court that Oppo failed to fully cooperate with its requests for evidence and allowed Shi time to remove potential traces of data from company systems after the lawsuit began.

The company has now asked the court for a permanent injunction preventing Oppo from developing products based on the stolen information.

Oppo Pushes Back

Oppo, however, maintains that it has done nothing wrong. The company said an internal review found no trace of Apple’s data and insisted that Shi’s presentation covered only general engineering principles. Oppo’s legal team described Apple’s injunction request as “baseless,” arguing that it has already provided full cooperation to the court.

Oppo has until October 31 to submit the requested forensic reports, with partial document submissions already underway since October 28.

What Apple’s Investigation Found

Apple’s internal review paints a detailed picture of what it says happened before Shi’s departure. The company claims he downloaded 63 confidential files onto a USB drive from a secure internal system, including design specs and sensor R&D plans. He allegedly also met Apple Watch engineers in his final weeks to gather technical information about health sensors and signal processing.

According to Apple, those same technologies later showed up in Shi’s work at Oppo, where he is now believed to be part of a sensor development team.

Apple’s filing also revealed that Shi searched for ways to wipe a MacBook and conceal file-sharing activity before leaving the company—moves Apple says show intent.

What Happens Next

The case remains ongoing, with Oppo ordered to hand over documents by October 31. Shi has agreed to sit for a deposition but has requested a delay due to medical concerns. Apple is seeking damages, legal fees, and an order blocking Oppo and Shi from using any confidential data in future product development.

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