Oppo A3 4G review
The Oppo A3 4G is an intriguing smartphone that boasts premium features at an affordable price point of 8,999 pesos. With its sleek design and iPhone-like aesthetics, it's hard to ignore its attractive exterior. The phone also comes with a range of impressive specs, including a 6nm Snapdragon 680 processor, 128GB storage, and 5,100mAh battery. But is it worth the hype? Our review will delve into the device's performance, camera capabilities, and gaming experience to help you decide if this phone is truly worth its price tag.
Build Quality and Design
The Oppo A3 4G is an intriguing smartphone that boasts a premium look and feel, reminiscent of the iPhone design aesthetic. The phone's build quality is impressive, with a slim and lightweight profile that makes it easy to hold and use. The device's plastic frames and back case give it a sturdy feel, suggesting that it can withstand regular wear and tear. One of the standout features of the Oppo A3 4G is its triple card slot design, which allows for expandable storage via microSD. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to store multiple SIM cards or memory cards on their device. The phone's 6.67-inch IPS LCD display also deserves mention, as it offers a crisp and clear visual experience, with up to 720p resolution and a 90Hz screen refresh rate. The phone's design is undoubtedly handsome, but it may not be to everyone's taste. Some may find the resemblance to an iPhone too obvious, while others may appreciate the sleek and modern aesthetic. Regardless of personal preference, the Oppo A3 4G's build quality and design are certainly praiseworthy, making it a solid choice for those seeking a premium feel without breaking the bank. One feature that is often overlooked but still significant is the phone's military standard rating (810H). This certification ensures that the device can withstand drops and other forms of physical stress, providing an added layer of protection against accidents. While not essential for everyone, this feature will undoubtedly appeal to those who value durability in their smartphone. Overall, the Oppo A3 4G's build quality and design are notable strengths of the phone, making it a solid option for those seeking a premium feel without sacrificing functionality.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Oppo A3 4G is one aspect where this device shines. With a massive 5,100mAh power bank under the hood, users can expect to get a decent amount of juice out of their phone. In our testing, we found that the Oppo A3 4G easily lasted for two days with moderate use. We could browse the internet, check emails, and listen to music without worrying about running out of power. Even with heavy use, such as gaming and video streaming, the battery life was still respectable, lasting around one and a half days. Charging the phone is also quick and convenient, thanks to its 40W super fast charging capabilities. Going from 0 to 100% in just over an hour is impressive, making it easy to top up your battery when you're on-the-go. While the Oppo A3 4G's battery life may not be groundbreaking, it's definitely a highlight of this device. With its large capacity and efficient power management, users can rest assured that their phone will last through the day without needing an emergency charge. Overall, the Oppo A3 4G's battery life is a definite plus, making it a solid choice for those who need a reliable phone with decent battery backup.
Display
The Oppo A3 4G boasts a sleek and handsome design that is reminiscent of an iPhone. One of its standout features is the display, which measures 6.67 inches in size and sports an IPS LCD panel. While it's not the most impressive screen on the market, it gets the job done for general use cases like browsing, social media, and streaming videos. The resolution tops out at 720p, which might seem a bit low by modern standards, but it's still adequate for most users. The display also features a 90Hz refresh rate, which should provide a smooth viewing experience, especially when scrolling through content or playing games. However, it's worth noting that the screen brightness maxes out at 1,000 nits, which might not be enough to combat direct sunlight, particularly outdoors. One of the unique aspects of this phone's display is its Panda Glass protection, which is designed to withstand minor scratches and drops. While it's a nice touch, it's still a plastic-based protective layer that may not provide the same level of durability as tempered glass or other more advanced materials. In terms of screen quality, I was surprised by how good the display looked in everyday use. Colors are vivid, and contrast levels are decent. However, there were times when I noticed slight banding or color fringing, particularly when viewing darker scenes or watching videos with complex lighting effects. Overall, while the display on Oppo A3 4G is not exceptional, it's still a solid performer that should satisfy most users' needs for general use cases. It may not be the best value for those seeking a premium screen experience, but as an affordable option, it gets the job done without breaking the bank.
Camera
The Oppo A3 4G's camera performance is one of the most disappointing aspects of this device. The primary sensor has a 50MP resolution, but it fails to deliver sharp and detailed images, especially when zoomed in. In outdoor shots, the leaves appear soft, and plants are often blurry. However, the camera can capture decent photos with minimal effort, especially in well-lit conditions. One of the major issues with the Oppo A3 4G's camera is its lack of depth and detail in images. Even when zoomed in, the pictures remain soft and lacking in texture. The 5MP front-facing camera is another letdown, producing low-resolution photos that are perfect only for video calls. The camera app itself is quite user-friendly, with features like night mode, HDR, and more. However, the output is subpar compared to other smartphones in this price range. In terms of zoom capabilities, the Oppo A3 4G can manage a decent two-time zoom shot without losing much quality. But as soon as you try to capture more detailed images or shoot macros, the camera fails to deliver. Low-light photography is another area where the Oppo A3 4G struggles. While it can take some acceptable shots in dark environments using night mode, the overall quality is still subpar compared to other phones in this price range. Considering the competition from other smartphones with impressive cameras at similar price points, the Oppo A3 4G's camera performance feels underwhelming. If you're looking for a phone with excellent photography capabilities, the A3 4G might not be the best choice. While it's true that the Oppo A3 4G offers some decent shots in ideal lighting conditions, its shortcomings in other areas make it hard to recommend as a top camera-centric device. Overall, the camera performance is merely average and fails to live up to expectations.
Price and Value
The Oppo A3 4G is a mid-range smartphone that boasts a premium design and impressive specs, but does it live up to its price tag of PHP 9,000? In this review, we'll take a closer look at the value for money aspect of this device. Firstly, let's talk about the price. At PHP 9,000, the Oppo A3 4G is positioned as a mid-range smartphone that offers a lot of features at an affordable price. However, when compared to other smartphones in its category, it starts to lose its appeal. The Technos Spark Go One, for instance, costs around PHP 2,600 and offers similar specs, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 chip. In terms of performance, the Oppo A3 4G's Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 chip is actually a rebranded Snapdragon 685, which is an older chip. This means that while it can handle everyday tasks and some gaming, it may not be as powerful as other smartphones in its class. The camera department also raises some concerns. While the Oppo A3 4G's primary camera is decent, it struggles to capture good shots under low-light conditions or with subjects that require more detail. Considering these factors, we'd say that the Oppo A3 4G is not the best value for money at its current price point. If you're in the market for a mid-range smartphone, there are better options available that offer more features and performance for less than PHP 9,000. Ultimately, whether or not the Oppo A3 4G is worth the hype will depend on your individual needs and preferences. However, if you're looking for a solid all-around smartphone with great value for money, you might want to explore other options before settling for this one.
Performance
The Oppo A3 4G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s gen one processor, which is essentially a rebranded Snapdragon 685 chip. This means that while it's not exactly powerful, it should still be able to handle everyday tasks with ease. In our testing, the phone scored around 248,000 points in Benchmark, which isn't particularly impressive. The CPU and GPU scores were also somewhat underwhelming, with the phone reaching a maximum of 118% in CPU benchmarking and 97% stability in GPU benchmarking. However, despite its lackluster performance, the Oppo A3 4G did manage to handle some entry-level gaming tasks without too much issue. We were able to play Call of Duty Mobile and Mobile Legends with decent frame rates, although we did have to lower the graphics settings to achieve this. In terms of raw performance, the phone's 6.67-inch IPS LCD display was a highlight, offering up to 720p resolution and a 90Hz screen refresh rate. The maximum brightness was also quite impressive at 1,000 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use. The phone's storage is respectable, with 128GB of space available out of the box. However, this can be expanded via the triple card slot, which supports microSD cards. Overall, while the Oppo A3 4G may not be a powerhouse in terms of performance, it should still be able to handle everyday tasks without too much issue. Its display is one of its strongest features, and the addition of a decent camera setup makes it a viable option for those looking for an affordable Android device. In conclusion, while the Oppo A3 4G may not be the most powerful phone on the market, it's still a solid choice for those who want a reliable Android device without breaking the bank.
Pros
1. The phone has a premium design that looks good, especially with its iPhone-like aesthetic.
2. It has a triple card slot, allowing for expandable storage via microSD.
3. The phone is said to be drop-resistant and military standard (810h), which adds an extra layer of durability.
4. The camera has a 50MP main sensor with a wide aperture, capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions.
5. The battery life is reportedly good, lasting up to four years with moderate use.
Cons
1. The phone's performance is merely 'so-so', lacking the power expected from a mid-range device.
2. The camera performance is subpar, especially in low-light conditions and when using the front-facing camera.
3. The front-facing camera resolution is very bad and shaky, making it unsuitable for any type of photography beyond video chatting.
4. The phone's Snapdragon 6s gen one chip is reportedly a rebranded older model (Snapdragon 685), which may lead to performance issues.
5. The phone's price point of 9,000 pesos seems too high considering its relatively weak specs and camera capabilities compared to other options like the Infinix Hot 3 4G.