Oppo A5

amazon Oppo A5 reviews

While other manufacturers tend to focus on high-end devices, OPPO has made a name for itself as a manufacturer of smartphones in every segment, from low-cost to high-end, but still ensures that they are the best. Quality guarantee for any product in any segment.

So, if you are looking for a high-quality yet affordable smartphone, there is no better brand than Oppo. Today, Biareview will bring to you a new line of Oppo products that are highly appreciated in the past: Oppo A5.

Specifications

OS: Android 9 Pie with ColorOS 6.0.1

Snapdragon 665. Processor

5000mAh battery with reverse charging

RAM 4GB

64GB memory (storage expandable up to 256GB)

1600 x 720 pixels resolution

16MP front camera with AI beautification

Rear camera: 12-megapixel main sensor, 8-megapixel ultra-wide unit, 2-megapixel monochrome sensor, and another 2-megapixel depth unit.

Design and performance

Chinese phone maker OPPO is making great strides in the smartphone market segment. Oppo is known as one of the best camera and design phone brands in the market. Therefore, users can completely guess that the A5 2020 will be very beautiful and have a good quality camera even though the phone is in the low-cost segment.

In terms of design, the Oppo A5 is larger than today’s smartphones, so it’s certainly not a phone that’s convenient to pocket or use with one hand, but given its size and Large screen size, Oppo A5 brings the best movie-watching and gaming experiences. Oppo A5 2020 supports dual SIM, USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and dual speakers. For security, you have the option of either a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner or facial recognition software. During product testing, the application performed quite well and quickly when it came to face and fingerprint recognition with low latency.

The device is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 processor. This is a Chip line commonly found on mid-range and high-end phones, so this is also a plus point for Oppo A5. In terms of interface, it runs on Android 9 (Pie) with ColorOS 6 skin on top. Oppo takes a no-nonsense approach to the Android interface, with a user-friendly experience and clean layout. It supports 4GB RAM and 64GB storage with expandable memory up to 256GB. If that’s not enough, the machine is equipped with a Micro slot that provides up to 256GB of additional storage.

Screen

The 6.5-inch display has an 89% screen-to-body ratio with a waterdrop notch that takes full advantage when viewing photos, playing games, and watching videos. The phone is also equipped with a 720p display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. However, with this resolution, Oppo is lower than other mid-range phones on the market.

Oppo claims to have a technology called dynamic pixel adjustment that can adjust itself in bright environments or when used in bright sunlight. However, I find them not as good as Oppo’s claims. Sometimes I still have to manually adjust to choose the most suitable brightness.

Camera

The camera is one of the best parts of the Oppo A5 handset, the Quad Camera includes a 12MP main lens, a 119° ultra-wide lens for panoramic shots, and two rear lenses for artistic portrait effects. At the same time, the front of the Oppo A5 is equipped with a 16MP Camera including an AI Beautifying feature to help automatically adjust beautiful images, very suitable for Selfie followers.

This feature does airbrush for you when you’re taking a selfie, smoothing your skin, and generally applying that airbrush look to your photos without the need for photo editing or a separate app. It’s a useful feature if you take a lot of selfies, and it’s a pretty impressive piece of AI technology to find in a budget phone.

Even indoors and with limited light, photo quality is excellent whether you’re shooting indoors or outdoors. Overall, Oppo A5 still owns the biggest advantage that has made Oppo’s name: The ability to take great pictures. Surely you will be surprised with such a cheap phone with such a good camera.

Software Experience

ColorOS Interface

The Oppo A5 runs on ColorOS, Oppo’s custom Android skin, which at the time of release was based on Android 9.0 Pie, with updates available to later versions of Android. ColorOS is known for its heavily customized interface, which offers a different experience compared to stock Android.

ColorOS includes a range of customization options, including themes, icon styles, and various gesture controls. Users who enjoy tweaking the look and feel of their device will appreciate these options, although those who prefer a more minimalist or stock Android experience might find the interface a bit cluttered.

Pre-Installed Apps and Bloatware

One downside to ColorOS is the presence of pre-installed apps and bloatware. The Oppo A5 comes with a variety of apps out of the box, some of which might not be useful to every user. While some of these can be uninstalled, others are more difficult to remove, which can be frustrating for users who prefer a cleaner interface.

On the positive side, ColorOS offers a number of useful features, such as a dark mode, app cloning (which allows you to run two instances of the same app), and a game space mode that optimizes performance during gaming sessions.

Software Updates and Support

Oppo has improved its track record with software updates in recent years, but it’s still not as fast as some other manufacturers when it comes to delivering major Android updates. The Oppo A5 received updates to Android 10 and beyond, but the speed and frequency of these updates can vary depending on your region.

Security updates are also an important consideration, and while Oppo does release them, they may not be as timely as what you’d expect from brands like Google or Samsung.

Battery Life

Large 5000mAh Battery

One of the standout features of the Oppo A5 is its large 5000mAh battery, which is a significant capacity for a budget device. This large battery, combined with the phone’s power-efficient Snapdragon 665 processor, ensures that the Oppo A5 delivers excellent battery life.

In real-world usage, the Oppo A5 can easily last a full day of heavy use, and in some cases, it can stretch to two days with more moderate usage. This makes the phone an excellent choice for users who need a device that can go the distance without needing to be charged frequently.

Charging Speed

The Oppo A5 supports 10W charging, which is relatively slow compared to the fast charging technologies available on higher-end devices. Charging the 5000mAh battery from 0% to 100% takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, which is quite long by modern standards.

While the slow charging speed is a drawback, the fact that the phone has such a large battery somewhat mitigates this issue, as you won’t need to charge it as often. However, for users who are always on the go and need a quick top-up during the day, the lack of faster charging could be a limitation.

Connectivity and Network Performance

Dual SIM and MicroSD Card Support

The Oppo A5 supports dual SIM functionality, which is a useful feature for users who need to manage two phone numbers simultaneously. The phone also includes a dedicated microSD card slot, which means you don’t have to sacrifice one of the SIM slots to expand your storage.

In terms of network performance, the Oppo A5 supports 4G LTE on both SIM cards, and the call quality is generally good. The phone’s signal reception is reliable, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are stable. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is another plus, especially for users who still prefer wired headphones.

Audio Quality

The Oppo A5 features a single bottom-firing speaker, which delivers adequate audio quality for a budget device. The speaker is loud enough for watching videos and listening to music, but the sound quality is fairly basic, lacking in bass and richness.

For a better audio experience, using headphones is recommended. The phone’s 3.5mm headphone jack provides a convenient option for wired audio, and the sound quality through headphones is decent, though it doesn’t offer any high-end audio features like a dedicated DAC or Hi-Res audio support.

Additional Features

Fingerprint Sensor and Face Unlock

The Oppo A5 includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is fast and reliable. It’s positioned in a spot that’s easy to reach with your index finger, and it consistently unlocks the phone quickly and accurately.

In addition to the fingerprint sensor, the Oppo A5 also offers face unlock using the front-facing camera. Face unlock is generally quick, but it’s less secure than the fingerprint sensor, especially in low-light conditions where the camera struggles to recognize your face. For those who prioritize security, the fingerprint sensor is the better option.

Lack of NFC

One notable omission from the Oppo A5’s feature set is NFC (Near Field Communication). This means that the phone does not support contactless payments through services like Google Pay. For users who have become accustomed to using their phone for tap-to-pay transactions, this could be a significant drawback.

Value for Money

Price and Competition

The Oppo A5 is positioned as a budget smartphone, and it offers good value for money considering its features. At the time of its release, the Oppo A5 was priced competitively against other budget devices from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and Samsung.

In this price range, the Oppo A5 stands out with its large battery, versatile camera setup, and solid build quality. However, it faces stiff competition from other devices that offer similar or even better specifications, such as higher resolution displays or faster charging capabilities.

Who Should Buy the Oppo A5?

The Oppo A5 is a good option for users who are looking for a reliable smartphone that can handle everyday tasks without any major issues. It’s particularly well-suited for those who prioritize battery life, as the large 5000mAh battery is one of the phone’s biggest strengths.

The camera setup is versatile enough for casual photography, and the phone’s design is attractive and well-built, making it a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a stylish device.

However, if you’re someone who needs a phone with fast charging, a higher resolution display, or NFC for mobile payments, you might want to consider other options in the same price range.

Conclusion

The Oppo A5 is a solid budget smartphone that offers a well-rounded experience at an affordable price. Its design and build quality are impressive for a device in this category, and the large 5000mAh battery ensures that you won’t be left scrambling for a charger at the end of the day.

The quad-camera setup provides a good level of versatility for photography, although it’s not without its limitations, particularly in low light. The display, while only HD+, is adequate for most tasks, and the performance is suitable for everyday use, even if it struggles with more demanding apps and games.

The software experience with ColorOS is a mixed bag, with plenty of customization options but also some bloatware. The lack of NFC and the slow charging speed are notable drawbacks, but these may not be deal-breakers for everyone.

Overall, the Oppo A5 is a good choice for users who need a reliable smartphone with a long-lasting battery and a versatile camera, all without breaking the bank. While it may not be the best in every category, it offers a good balance of features for the price, making it a strong contender in the budget smartphone market.

where can you get a Oppo A5 online

OPPO A5 2020 Dual-SIM 64GB ROM + 3GB RAM Factory Unlocked 4G/LTE Smartphone (Mirror Black) – International Version: Buy it now

OPPO A5 2020 Dual-SIM 64GB ROM + 3GB RAM (GSM Only | No CDMA) Factory Unlocked 4G/LTE Smartphone (Dazzling White) – International Version: Buy it now