OPPO is a Chinese consumer electronics company that has quickly risen to become one of the top smartphone brands in the world. Founded in 2004, OPPO started by selling MP3 players and has since expanded into smartphones, smart devices, and more. While not as well known in Western markets, OPPO is massively popular in China and other parts of Asia.
In this post, we'll take an in-depth look at OPPO's latest smartphone models and see how they stack up against the competition. We'll cover the key factors like camera quality, battery life, performance, software, and build quality. We'll also explore OPPO's history, innovations, controversies and future outlook. If you're considering an OPPO phone, this guide has everything you need to make an informed decision. Read on to learn why OPPO could become the next big name in global smartphones.
Oppo has several popular smartphone lines including the premium Reno series, the photography-focused Find series, and the affordable A series. Here's an overview of their latest models:
The Oppo Reno series features sleek designs and robust camera capabilities. Some key models include:
Reno 7 5G - Oppo's newest addition launched in 2022. Key specs: 6.4" AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G chipset, 64MP triple camera system. Priced from $400.
Reno 6 Pro 5G - Released in 2021 with a 6.5" AMOLED display, Snapdragon 870 5G chip, and 50MP triple camera with 2x optical zoom. Pricing around $550.
Reno 5 Pro 5G - 2020 model with 6.5" OLED screen, Snapdragon 765G processor, and 64MP quad camera. Approximately $475 retail cost.
Oppo Find phones focus on professional-grade photography using partnerships with leading camera brands. Recent models include:
Find X5 Pro - Flagship 2022 model with Hasselblad tuned cameras, 6.7" QHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 80W fast charging. Starts around $1,100.
Find X3 Pro - Previous generation with 6.7" QHD+ screen, Snapdragon 888 processor, 50MP wide and 13MP telephoto lenses. Priced around $1,300 at launch.
Oppo's affordable A series phones offer great value for budget-conscious buyers. New handsets include:
A96 - Entry-level 2022 model with 6.59” LCD display, Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, dual 50MP + 2MP cameras. Approximately $250 retail cost.
A76 - Affordable 5G device with 6.56” LCD screen, MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip, 48MP + 2MP dual cameras. Priced around $320.
A55 5G - Cheapest 5G phone from Oppo, retailing for under $200. Has 6.5” LCD display, MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, and 50MP main camera.
Oppo phones are known for having excellent camera quality that can rival more expensive flagship phones. Recent Oppo models feature high-resolution rear cameras, with megapixel counts ranging from 48MP to 108MP depending on the model.
The flagship Find X5 Pro has a 50MP main camera, 13MP telephoto camera, and 50MP ultrawide camera, which provides flexibility for wide-angle shots as well as 2x optical zoom. The Reno 8 Pro steps it up even further with a 50MP main camera paired with an 8MP ultrawide camera and 2MP macro camera.
Image quality from Oppo's current camera phones is crisp, vivid, and detailed. The phones use AI algorithms to optimize settings on the fly, resulting in photos that look great straight out of the camera. Low light performance is also impressive thanks to the updated Sony IMX sensor and f/1.7 aperture on models like the Reno 8 Pro.
For photography enthusiasts, Oppo phones have modes like panorama, expert, night, and time-lapse. The expert mode allows full control over ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and other professional-level settings. There are also built-in filters and editing tools to get creative with your mobile photography. Portrait mode creates a depth effect with artfully blurred backgrounds.
Compared to rivals like the iPhone 13 and Galaxy S22 series, Oppo phones hold their own for photography and arguably offer more customization and shooting modes. While the Find X5 Pro and Reno 8 Pro may not beat the very best cameraphones, they provide stellar quality that outshines their mid-range price point.
Oppo phones are known for having excellent battery life and fast charging capabilities. Most recent Oppo models have large capacity batteries ranging from 4000 mAh to 5000 mAh.
In battery life tests, the Oppo Find X5 Pro with its 5000 mAh battery lasted over 1 day of mixed usage on a single charge. The mid-range Oppo Reno7 with a 4500 mAh battery went nearly 1.5 days before needing a recharge with moderate use. Even Oppo's lower end A series phones like the A96 with a 5000 mAh battery provide all day battery life.
Oppo's flagship phones support its proprietary SuperVOOC flash charging technology. Using the included 65W or higher SuperVOOC charger, you can charge an empty Oppo phone battery to 100% in around 30-40 minutes. The fast charging capability provides flexibility and reduces charging anxiety when you're on the go.
With large capacity batteries plus extremely fast charging, Oppo phones have outstanding overall battery life and charging capabilities. You won't have to worry about running out of juice or spending a long time tethered to an outlet.
Oppo phones are packed with powerful processors and high amounts of RAM to deliver exceptional speed and smoothness. Recent Oppo phones utilize some of the latest mobile processors from major chip makers like Qualcomm and MediaTek.
The flagship Find X5 Pro uses the cutting edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor from Qualcomm. This 4nm chip provides industry-leading performance with a prime core clocked at 3.0GHz, AI Engine, and Adreno 730 GPU. Benchmarks show the Find X5 Pro scores over 1,200 on single-core Geekbench tests and 3,500+ on multi-core.
Other Oppo phones like the Reno 8 Pro and A96 5G use the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 and Dimensity 810 chipsets respectively. These MediaTek chips deliver incredible power efficiency and smooth usage for the price. In real-world usage, Oppo phones feel extremely fast and responsive when launching apps, playing games, and multitasking.
Oppo also includes large amounts of fast LPDDR5 RAM in their phones, up to 12GB on models like the Reno 8 Pro. This ensures you can have tons of apps open and quickly switch between them. Overall, Oppo phones offer top-notch performance that matches or beats competitors thanks to powerful, modern processors and ample RAM. You'll enjoy buttery smooth operation whether gaming, streaming, or just browsing the web.
Oppo smartphones all run on Android, customized with Oppo's proprietary ColorOS software layer. The latest Oppo phones ship with Android 11 and ColorOS 11.2 out of the box. ColorOS adds a range of extra features and customizations on top of stock Android, including:
Unique icon designs, animations, themes, and wallpapers to customize the look and feel.
Improved privacy controls and permissions management.
App cloning to run dual instances of apps like social media.
Three-finger screenshot gesture, quick apps, and other efficiency tools.
AI-powered optimizations to speed up performance and battery life.
Sidebar for quick access to shortcuts and quickly multitask.
Game Space with game boosting, do not disturb, and other gaming modes.
Oppo generally provides one major Android version update to new models. The frequency of security updates varies between monthly and quarterly. The software experience is fast and smooth, with Oppo's customizations adding useful functionality without veering too far from stock Android. But the update schedule lags behind brands like Samsung.
OPPO phones are known for having excellent build quality and beautiful designs. The materials used in their flagship phones are top-notch, featuring glass bodies and metal frames. Recent models like the Reno and Find X series use curved glass on both the front and back with barely-there bezels, giving them a seamless look and feel in the hand.
OPPO puts its phones through rigorous durability testing to ensure they can withstand the rigors of daily use. This includes drop tests from over 6 feet onto hard surfaces to test impact resistance. OPPO claims its flagship phones can survive over 200 of these drop tests. The phones are also designed to handle extreme temperatures, humidity, vibration and other environmental factors.
When it comes to water and dust resistance, most OPPO phones have some level of waterproofing. Many mid-range and premium models carry an IP54 rating, meaning they are protected from limited dust ingress and splashes of water. The Find X5 Pro flagship even achieves IP68 rating, the highest level of protection, making it fully dustproof and water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. So you can rest assured OPPO phones can withstand the occasional splash or drop without issue.
Overall, with premium materials, rigorous testing and water resistance ratings on many models, OPPO smartphones match and even exceed other top brands in build quality and durability. You can expect an OPPO phone to retain its premium look and feel even after months of regular use.
When considering any new smartphone, it's important to look at the pros and cons to determine if it's the right device for your needs. Here's an overview of some of the key strengths of Oppo phones as well as a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind.
Great value for money - Oppo phones tend to cost less than flagship phones from Apple or Samsung while still offering premium specs and innovative features. You get a lot for your money.
Excellent camera capabilities - Oppo emphasizes camera performance in its phones. Many models have multiple rear cameras, large sensors, and software optimizations for professional-level photography.
Fast charging - Oppo's VOOC and SuperVOOC fast charging technologies can charge phones incredibly quickly. You can get a nearly full charge in under an hour.
Sleek designs - Oppo phones come in stylish designs with edge-to-edge displays and thin bezels. They look and feel high-end and premium.
Regular software updates - Oppo has made an effort to deliver regular software updates and Android version upgrades to its phones. This extends their lifespan.
Limited availability - Oppo phones may not be sold in all markets. In the US for example, they are generally only available unlocked, not through carriers.
Fewer accessories - Because Oppo has a smaller market share, there tend to be fewer case and accessory options for their phones.
No waterproofing - Most Oppo phones lack official water and dust resistance ratings, unlike flagships from Samsung or Apple.
Shorter software support - While improving, Oppo usually provides 2-3 years of major software updates. Other brands often support phones for 4-5 years.
No wireless charging - Wireless charging has been slow to roll out to Oppo phones, though some newer models may include it.
So in summary, Oppo offers excellent value, great cameras, fast charging, and sleek designs in their smartphones. The compromises are less availability, accessories, waterproofing, and software support compared to the most premium flagships. But for many, the pros easily outweigh the cons.
Oppo faces stiff competition in the smartphone market from established players like Apple and Samsung as well as fellow Chinese brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Huawei. However, Oppo has proven itself more than capable of holding its own.
When it comes to design, Oppo phones stand out with their sleek, stylish look and feel. Many Oppo models tout gorgeous curved displays and lightweight metal or glass builds. Brands like OnePlus and Xiaomi make attractive phones too, but Oppo edges them out in crafting phones that catch the eye.
Camera performance is a major Oppo strength. Oppo was one of the first to introduce innovations like the pop-up selfie camera and high megapixel counts. Oppo's cutting-edge photography features and optimization help it compete with the iPhone's consistently superb cameras.
Performance and hardware are also quite competitive. Oppo flagships are equipped with the latest premium chipsets and ample RAM to deliver excellent speed and responsiveness. The fast charging capabilities on Oppo phones are matched only by OnePlus' similarly speedy charging tech.
On the software side, Oppo uses a customized version of Android with useful additions and optimizations. However, Xiaomi and Huawei phones tend to offer even more robust software with added functionality. Oppo's software is smooth and intuitive, but doesn't stand out as much.
When it comes to value, Xiaomi reigns supreme with feature-packed phones offered at unbeatable prices. But Oppo provides better value than brands like Apple or Samsung. The prices may be higher than Xiaomi, but still reasonable for the quality and experience Oppo phones provide.
Oppo has quickly risen to become one of the top smartphone brands in China and across Asia. While they may not have the global brand recognition of Apple or Samsung yet, their phones deliver impressive specs, features, and design at very competitive price points.
Some key things to keep in mind about Oppo phones:
If you're looking for an affordable yet powerful Android phone with great cameras and fast charging, Oppo is definitely a brand to consider. While support and availability may be limited in some regions, their phones rival the big players in quality and capabilities.
For many, Oppo provides the perfect combination of cutting-edge features, stylish design, and reasonable prices. If those factors appeal to you, an Oppo phone could be a very satisfying purchase. Just be sure to buy from authorized retailers and research the warranty coverage in your region.
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