TOP 12 best Oppo smartphones: rating 2020-2021 and which one to choose with good characteristics

The Oppo brand supplies premium models, but budget options are also found in their products. The company entered the Russian market in 2013, but then sales stopped due to low demand. And only in 2021, the company’s smartphones began to enjoy popularity after their return to the market.

When compiling this rating, we relied on the opinions of experts and consumers, and took into account purchase statistics from Rosstat.

The selection of mobile phones was carried out on the basis of performance, cost-quality ratio, and the quality of the cameras was also taken into account. Here are only the best options from the Chinese brand.

Rating of the TOP 12 best Oppo smartphones

This rating includes the best Oppo smartphones according to users and experts.

The best Oppo smartphones for price and quality

Oppo A5s

The list of Oppo smartphones opens with the budget model A5s with an affordable price tag and balanced characteristics. The device has a large screen with a resolution of 1520 by 720 pixels with a good level of brightness and clarity. The IPS matrix provides color reproduction and a wide viewing angle. The entry-level chip of the MediaTek Helio P35 series is responsible for the performance of this unit. There is a good 8 megapixel front camera. At the same time, users are not disappointed by the main camera, made of two sensors of 13 megapixels and 2 megapixels, which is an excellent indicator, given the dimensions of the main matrix.

Pros:

• large screen;
• ergonomic shape;
• appearance;
• good sound;
• dual camera.

Minuses:

• low power.

Oppo A52

We are talking about a rather interesting, inexpensive, but good smartphone from Oppo, the screen of which covers 91% of the front of the phone. The display resolution reaches 2400 by 1080 pixels. The screen size is 6.5 inches. The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels. The main camera is more advanced: three modules are implemented: 12 MP, 8 MP and 2 2 MP. It is important to note that this device can shoot video in 4K format. The performance is driven by a mid-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 microprocessor, which is complemented by an Adreno 610 graphics accelerator. Another advantage of this device is a 5000 mAh battery with support for 18 W fast charging.

Pros:

• fast charging;
• battery capacity;
• main camera;
• great screen.

Minuses:

• large model.

Oppo A72

If you are looking for an inexpensive Oppo smartphone with a good battery, we recommend paying attention to the A72. In addition to the long battery life, this device is pleased with the presence of a good entry-level 8-core processor with low power consumption. Based on customer reviews, the battery lasts for 14-16 hours of battery life. The front camera has a 16 megapixel module. The screen is average in terms of any parameters. Overall, this is a balanced “mid-range” product that has an affordable price. Who is it suitable for? Rather, practical people, for whom the key place among other parameters is the autonomy of the phone.

Pros:

• front-camera;
• battery life;
• balanced phone;
• stylish design.

Minuses:

• not found.

Oppo A9

We are talking about a budget Oppo smartphone with a good camera, which includes 4 sensors of 48 MP (f/1.8), 8 MP (f/2.25), 2 MP (f/2.4) and 2 MP (f/2.4). This bundle supports excellent video and photo quality at any time of the day. The front camera has the same fairly large matrix with a resolution of 16 megapixels. The mid-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor is responsible for the performance. The only thing that spoils the impression is the resolution of the 6.5-inch screen, which is 1600 by 720 pixels. The display takes up about 90% of the front of the phone. At the same time, the screen pleases with its ergonomics and good level of color rendering.

Pros:

• color gamut;
• good power;
• main camera;
• ergonomic body.

Minus:

• screen resolution.

Realme 6 Pro

The Oppo subsidiary's best smartphone in 2021 is the Realme 6 Pro, at least in terms of price/quality ratio. This is definitely one of the most popular gadgets that has a 6.6-inch IPS screen with excellent contrast levels and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. In the mid-price range, it is virtually impossible to find a competitor for this smartphone. There is an alternative only in the Xiaomi segment. A 4300 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy. High performance is provided by Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G. Paired with 8 gigabytes of RAM, it delivers pretty good power when running multiple applications. Screen resolution 2400 by 1080 pixels. The main camera has 4 sensors, including 64 megapixels. The front camera is dual: 16 MP and 8 MP. There is a module for contactless payments.

Pros:

• front-camera;
• main camera;
• update frequency;
• high power;
• battery capacity.

Minuses:

• not detected.

How to choose an Oppo smartphone?

The company is focused on the premium segment, so you can’t expect much budget from its products.

Mobile phones come in several lines, and the choice depends on the intended use:

• A – budget line with good performance for everyday tasks, will not surprise you with its gaming performance;
• F – models with an emphasis on camera capabilities, great for photography enthusiasts;
• R – flagship smartphones, suitable for undemanding games and equipped with good cameras;
• Find X is an advanced model for gamers and demanding buyers.

You can learn more about the ratings of smartphones for a specific price in these articles: models up to 30,000, 25,000, 20,000, 15,000, 10,000, 5,000 rubles.

TOP 4 best Oppo smartphones in price/quality ratio for 2021

OPPO Reno 3 Pro 12/256GB

A stylish option with good performance and autonomy has become one of the leaders in various 2021 ratings.

Two body colors, a protective tempered glass screen with an oleophobic coating, an aluminum reinforced frame - in addition to good cameras, an energy-intensive battery and a processor with good gaming performance, turn the model into a universal device.

The front camera is located behind a miniature peephole in the display, so it does not spoil the appearance of the device. The battery life is enough to watch video for 16-18 hours, and in the absence of load it will be enough for two to three days. Fast charging will allow you to reach 70% battery level in 25-30 minutes, and 100% in an hour.

The loud speaker has a fairly clear sound, but the low frequencies will not suit everyone. The cameras are high quality with good detail and color accuracy, but in night mode the shooting quality drops sharply.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 10;
• Weight: 196 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.5″;
• Rear cameras: 48 MP;
• Front camera: 32 MP;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 256/12 GB.

pros

• premium design;
• quality of materials and workmanship;
• gaming performance;
• optical stabilization of cameras.

Minuses

• no 3.5 mm audio jack;
• not equipped with protection against dust and moisture.

OPPO A52 64GB

Mid-budget model with premium design and high-quality components. The screen looks larger due to

its frameless design, there is a small cutout for the front camera, and a fingerprint sensor is built into the power button. The back panel has a large protrusion for the main cameras.

The internal contents are also not disappointing - a good eight-core processor is good not only for everyday tasks like surfing the web or watching videos, but also for fairly demanding games. A good GPU will provide not only gaming performance, but also good photo post-processing.

The cameras produce detailed images with clear color reproduction, but in night mode noise and strong shadows appear. The battery for such performance is also not the smallest in terms of energy intensity - under high load it will provide up to 18 hours of autonomy.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 10;
• Weight: 196 g;
• Screen: IPS, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.5″;
• Rear cameras: 12+8+2+2 MP;
• Front camera: 16 MP;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 256/12 GB.

pros

• autonomy;
• speaker quality;
• premium appearance;
• processor speed.

Minuses

• high price;
• low quality cameras.

OPPO A72 128GB

A budget model for 2021, which looks very much like an elite smartphone. The back of the case has a gradient

coloring created using special technology.

The screen has no frames, and the buttons are located along the edges. The fingerprint scanner is located in the power button. The screen itself has good color reproduction and deep shades. The pictures are not professional, but with excellent detail and post-processing.

In addition, the cameras have an excellent night mode, which produces almost no noise and ensures maximum detail in low light. Modern mobile games run without any problems thanks to the processor, although some demanding applications can still cause glitches at maximum graphics settings.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 10;
• Weight: 188 g;
• Screen: TFT, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.5″;
• Rear cameras: 48+8+2+2 MP;
• Front camera: 16 MP;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 128/4 GB.

pros

• quality of materials and workmanship;
• availability of NFC;
• game parameters;
• separate slot for memory card.

Minuses

• takes a long time to charge;
• plastic body.

OPPO A5 (2020) 3/64GB

Another member of the 2020 line from ORRO. Like others, this smartphone is distinguished by its luxurious appearance.

appearance, high-quality hardware and reasonable cost.

The durable plastic case looks quite expensive; at first glance, the smartphone cannot even be classified as in the middle price segment. On the back panel there is a neat camera unit and a fingerprint scanner.

The screen with an aspect ratio of 20:9 is designed for convenient viewing of wide-screen videos and for playing games, but operating the gadget with one hand with such proportions is not very convenient.

An eight-core processor platform with a clock frequency of up to 2 GHz, together with the Adreno 610 graphics chipset, makes it possible to play demanding games at high graphics settings, and 3 GB of RAM eliminates freezes even in large programs or games.

The 5000 mAh battery can last almost 15 hours without recharging while watching FullHD video at 50% screen brightness - for a budget smartphone this is more than a good indicator.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 9.0;
• Weight: 195 g;
• Screen: TFT, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.5″;
• Rear cameras: 48+8+2+2 MP;
• Front camera: 8 MP;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 64/3 GB.

pros

• stereo speakers;
• separate slot for memory card;
• good equipment;
• large display.

Minuses

• low screen resolution;
• Photo quality suffers in low light.

Average price segment in terms of price and quality ratio

Among all Oppo smartphone models, one can distinguish the middle price segment.

Note! They have good functionality, but at the same time they are inferior to flagships in price.

Review of the TOP 4 best in terms of price and quality.

OPPO A72 128GB

The ideal model OPPO A72 128GB for those who value quality.

Built-in eye protection mode. The 48 MP main camera will create unrivaled images even in the dark thanks to Ultra Clear Night 2.0 mode.

Improved stabilization during video shooting.

Hyper Boost technology ensures comfortable use of the smartphone without freezing.

Specifications:

• diagonal: 6.5 inches;
• number of pixels per inch: 405;
• image size: 2400x1080;
• maximum possible video resolution: 3840×2160;
• processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665;
• built-in memory: 128 GB;
• RAM capacity: 4 GB;
• battery capacity: 5000 mAh;
• weight: 188 g

Advantages

• high level of brightness even in the sun;
• enough for seven hours of battery life;
• stylish design;
• Comes with a case;
• attractive price;
• large amount of memory;
• good sound quality.

Flaws

• average quality processor;
• mediocre photos.

OPPO A52 64GB

Modern OPPO A52 model with standard features at an attractive price.

Improved camera stabilization during video shooting and improved quality.

It is possible to shoot even in the dark thanks to Ultra Night 2.0 technology.

Thanks to Hyper Boost technology, all applications launch as quickly as possible and do not slow down at all.

Specifications:

• diagonal: 6.5 inches;
• number of pixels per inch: 405;
• image size: 2400x1080;
• maximum possible video resolution: 3840×2160;
• processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665;
• built-in memory: 64 GB;
• RAM capacity: 4 GB;
• battery capacity: 5000 mAh;
• weight: 188 g

Advantages

• high screen brightness;
• good quality speakers;
• ergonomics;
• stylish design;
• The charge lasts for a whole day of use;
• relatively good processor.

Flaws

• poor camera quality;
• lack of flexible system settings;
• poor build quality.

OPPO A9 (2020) 4/128GB

An improved model for shooting content at an attractive price.

The front camera is 16 MP and the main camera with four lenses is 48 MP.

Built-in image correction that you can customize to your liking. Surround sound is achieved through Dolby Atmos® technology.

The Snapdragon 665 processor, created according to the standards of the best companies, saves you from freezing.

Specifications:

• diagonal: 6.5 inches;
• number of pixels per inch: 270;
• image size: 1600x720;
• maximum possible video resolution: 3840×2160;
• processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665;
• built-in memory: 128 GB;
• RAM capacity: 4 GB;
• battery capacity: 5000 mAh;
• weight: 195 g

Advantages

• the battery holds a charge throughout the whole day;
• stylish design;
• large amount of memory;
• Availability of complete set: case and protective film;
• high brightness: the image is visible even in the sun;
• good sound quality;
• good quality photos.

Flaws

• many unnecessary applications;
• no indicator light;
• low color saturation.

OPPO A5 (2020) 3/64GB

An excellent phone for all occasions at an attractive price.

The main camera with 4 lenses is 12 MP and the front camera is 8 MP. Improved stabilization during video shooting.

Dolby Atmos® technology creates high-quality surround sound.

Innovative Frame Boost and Touch Boost technologies allow you to play a variety of games with maximum response and without lag.

Specifications:

• diagonal: 6.5 inches;
• number of pixels per inch: 270;
• image size: 1600x720;
• maximum possible video resolution: 3840×2160;
• processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665;
• built-in memory: 64 GB;
• RAM capacity: 3 GB;
• battery capacity: 5000 mAh;
• weight: 195 g

Advantages

• high build quality;
• can work offline for up to two days;
• good equipment: case and headphones;
• attractive price;
• high-quality display with bright images;
• relatively good speakers;
• There is an NFC module.

Flaws

• low quality photos;
• there is no way to customize the phone for the user;
• no indicators when charging and notifications are connected.

TOP 4 best Oppo smartphones with NFC

OPPO A9 (2020) 4/128GB

New this year, released by ORRO with the motto “Even in the middle price segment, our smartphones can give the user everything.”

The shapes do not sparkle with originality - a standard elongated screen, a fingerprint scanner on the rear panel under the camera block, a teardrop-shaped cutout at the top of the screen for the front camera. But the quality of the materials is excellent. Although the body is made of plastic, it is quite strong, and the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3+.

Thin frames allow the display to occupy about 82% of the front surface of the smartphone, which is on par with top manufacturers like Xiaomi or Sony. In addition, the use of Sunlight technology makes it possible to clearly see the image on the screen even under sunlight.

The autonomy of the gadget is excellent - in communication mode, it works for two days on a single charge. In case of more active use, for example, playing video in high definition, the smartphone can work for almost 20 hours without recharging.

The eight-core processor standard for this line handles even demanding games at minimum graphics settings. The manufacturer also provides a game mode that optimizes the process and helps you avoid problems with game freezes.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 10;
• Weight: 170 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.4″;
• Rear cameras: 48+13+8+2 MP;
• Front camera: 44 MP;
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P90, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 128/8 GB.

pros

• design solution;
• autonomy at its best;
• high-quality cameras;
• good gaming performance;
• availability of NFC.

Minuses

• no protection from dust and moisture;
• The memory card is installed in place of the second SIM card.

OPPO Reno 3 8/128GB

Discreet design, characteristic of all smartphones of the brand, with a plastic back and aluminum frame, durable glass

display, drop-shaped cutout of the front camera - these are what can be called the characteristic features of this smartphone.

The model has a good speaker with clear sound and a sufficient volume level, although audiophiles will not be surprised by its quality.

Particularly notable is the battery, which supports fast charging to half charge in less than half an hour. Supports low voltage mode, allowing you to leave the gadget on charge all night.

The energy-intensive battery holds a charge for 24 hours at low load. The cameras are distinguished by a wide range of capabilities, dynamic range, detail and color depth in images. Night shooting is a little noisy, but the quality of the frames is several times higher compared to analogues.

A modern processor will provide good gaming performance, although some 3D games should be run at medium settings to avoid crashes and freezes.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 10;
• Weight: 170 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.4″;
• Rear cameras: 48+13+8+2 MP;
• Front camera: 44 MP;
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P90, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 128/8 GB.

pros

• design;
• high level of autonomy;
• high-quality multifunctional cameras;
• gaming performance.

Minuses

• The memory card is installed in place of the second SIM card.

OPPO Reno 4 Lite

The gadget can provide all the modern pleasures of use, starting from the aesthetic component and

ending with a high level of autonomy.

The display and rear surface are made of Gorilla Glass 3. The front camera is hidden behind a tiny double cutout, the rear cameras protrude slightly above the cover. The pictures come out with contrast and richness, comparable in part to shooting with professional cameras. Night photography is somewhat grainy, and image quality is worse than its peers.

The mono speaker won't surprise you with its volume or sound quality, but it does its job well. The processor does not crash or slow down only in undemanding games; the device handles heavy modern applications several times worse.

Multitasking is also not amazing; a large number of tabs in the browser can significantly reduce the response speed.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 10;
• Weight: 164 g;
• Screen: Super AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.43″;
• Rear cameras: 48 MP;
• Front camera: 16 MP;
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P95, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 128/8 GB.

pros

• appearance;
• there is a standard 3.5 mm jack;
• optical fingerprint scanner;
• good shooting quality.

Minuses

• overpriced.

OPPO Reno 2 8/256GB

The model with good cameras and a high-quality screen is popular among users and has received a lot of

rave reviews from experts.

The display with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 does not have a cutout for the front camera - it is located in the corner retractable module. Charge stability is ensured by a “capacious” battery, capable of playing video in the best resolution for almost 20 hours, and a full charge occurs within an hour.

There is only one speaker, so the sound quality is average, but stable and with a good volume reserve. Excellent cameras with highly detailed frames will be appreciated by photography enthusiasts.

The processor is practically a gaming processor, easily copes with modern games that are demanding on graphics and performance.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 9.0;
• Weight: 189 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.5″;
• Rear cameras: 48+8+13+2 MP;
• Front camera: 16 MP;
• Processor: Adreno 618, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 256/8 GB.

pros

• exclusive retractable front camera mechanism;
• frameless display with brightness reserve;
• gaming performance;
• autonomy and charging speed.

Minuses

• does not have protection from dust and moisture.

Top filling, as befits a premium flagship

The new product from OPPO is positioned as a premium segment smartphone. So hidden in the glass-metal case is the most powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset , which, together with 8 GB of RAM, can cope with any games and applications.

There is no slot for a memory card, and it is not needed: the OPPO Find X has 256 GB of internal memory, and from my own experience I can say that this volume is more than enough for everything.

The main decoration of a smartphone is its screen , and the Find X has a very good one. 6.4-inch diagonal, AMOLED matrix and FullHD+ resolution: all colors are very rich, the picture is bright, and viewing angles are wide. Colors are not distorted even when looking at the screen from a wide angle.

Separately, I would like to note the high charging speed of the smartphone: VOOC technology allows you to charge the OPPO Find X from zero to 50% in literally 15 minutes . A full charge will take only 35 minutes.

The battery has a capacity of 3,400 mAh, and from experience I can say that the gadget will work all day away from a power outlet for sure, and if you use it not very actively, then only 1.5 days.

If you look closely at the photos of this gadget, you will notice the absence of a fingerprint scanner. Yes, it’s completely absent and the manufacturer offers to unlock Find X only with a password or by scanning the owner’s face.

Face scanning is not simple, but highly technological: when setting up this function, 15,000 points are projected onto the face , thanks to which a 3D model is created, by reference to which the smartphone recognizes the owner.

Despite the speed and convenience of this unlocking method, completely abandoning the fingerprint scanner can cause some inconvenience: Google Play does not support confirmation of purchases with a face scanner, so every time you purchase applications you need to enter the good old password by hand.

TOP 4 best Oppo smartphones with a good camera

OPPO Reno 2Z 8/128GB

An unusual smartphone with an interesting design solution in the form of a glossy glass panel with four cameras in a row

in the center and a display without a cutout for the front camera, which is located in the corner module.

The cameras lack dynamism, but the pictures are clear, with good sharpness and contrast, and correct color rendition. Night mode leaves a lot of noise and overexposure, and distorts color.

The speaker has adequate sound quality, but at maximum volume it begins to wheeze characteristically.

Autonomy compared to similar models is quite low - 7-8 hours of active load or 6 hours of gaming. The performance of the hardware is moderate, demanding applications slow down the work somewhat, and frame loss occurs. Weaker applications run confidently, without any freezes.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 9.0;
• Weight: 195 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.4″;
• Rear cameras: 48+8+2+2 MP;
• Front camera: 16 MP;
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P90, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 128/8 GB.

pros

• in-screen fingerprint scanner;
• CPU;
• charging speed;
• presence of a standard audio jack.

Minuses

• low autonomy;
• overpriced.

OPPO Reno

The appearance of the smartphone is distinguished by its elegance and premium quality - ceramic back with glass coating

, impact-resistant glass screen, FullHD+ resolution.

At the same time, the autonomy of the device is not reduced due to the energy requirements of the display - a full charge occurs within an hour after connection, and in half an hour it rises from zero to more than two-thirds. Music lovers will appreciate the high-quality speaker, although some buyers note a lack of volume.

The cameras are of good quality and will provide rich images and details in normal lighting, but the night mode leaves much to be desired. Gaming performance is average, but there is a special resource redistribution mode for games.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 9.0;
• Weight: 185 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.4″;
• Rear cameras: 48+5 MP;
• Front camera: 16 MP;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 256/6 GB.

pros

• special game mode;
• price;
• presence of a standard audio jack.

Minuses

• There is no slot for a memory card.

OPPO Reno Z 4/128GB

A fairly budget model, although it does not have outstanding characteristics, it remains relevant in 2021.

The display has good resolution and a drop-shaped cutout for the front camera, protected by durable glass. The main camera is dual with a six-lens lens. Ultra Night Mode 2.0 removes noise and grain and enhances detail using the latest post-processing technologies, automatically separating background work from foreground work.

The front camera with five lenses and Portrait Mode 2.0 allows you to take high-quality portrait photos and group selfies. The autonomy is not bad - it supports work for 15-16 hours of active surfing and 18 hours of video viewing. Gaming performance is not for gamers, but undemanding photo editing applications perform quite well.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 9.0;
• Weight: 185 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.4″;
• Rear cameras: 48+5 MP;
• Front camera: 32 MP;
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P90, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 128/4 GB.

pros

• special post-processing modes;
• lens quality;
• good shots in low light conditions.

Minuses

• There is no slot for a memory card.

OPPO Find X2 12/256GB Dual Sim

An original and productive mobile phone may not be classified as a flagship, but in terms of characteristics

he is in no way inferior to those.

Supplied in two configurations depending on the material of the back cover. Marine-style glass or classic black ceramic options differ slightly in weight.

Gorilla Glass 6 has good durability and shock resistance. The high-quality display with QuadHD+ resolution has pleasant color reproduction. The battery is charged to full charge within an hour thanks to its separation, and this solution is capable of holding a charge for 24 hours with a full media load.

The stereo speakers are equipped with Dolby Atmos support, thanks to which the sound is full, loud, and quite pleasant. 12 GB of RAM will provide full multitasking mode, and a modern processor will ensure the performance of modern applications and games.

The triple rear camera with optical stabilization and a powerful 5x zoom produces a decent image, but post-processing is somewhat worse than that of similar models. Night mode gives a greater percentage of visibility, but there is a lot of glare.

Specifications:

• OS: Android 10;
• Weight: 196 g;
• Screen: AMOLED, multi-touch;
• Diagonal: 6.7″;
• Rear cameras: 48 MP;
• Front camera: 32 MP;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 8 cores;
• Built-in/RAM capacity: 256/12 GB.

pros

• design;
• excellent display;
• holds a charge for a long time;
• fast charging;
• protection from dust and moisture.

Minuses

• does not support wireless charging;
• no 3.5mm audio jack.

Brief review of the OPPO X 2021 sliding smartphone: you've never seen anything like it before

Presented back in the fall, OPPO X 2021 looked like something from the world of Escher's impossible geometry: a smartphone that simply becomes bigger right before our eyes. Without even turning off.

Now we know for sure - it was not editing or computer graphics, this smartphone really exists. And it even made it to Russia, despite its prototype status.

In fact, there is nothing magical about OPPO X 2021 - the amount of technology used in it has been quite accessible for several years now. Smartphones with flexible screens have been actively invading the market for several months, albeit in a different format - they all somehow play with the idea of ​​a folding display. We have already written about the firstborn, Samsung Galaxy Fold, and its sequel, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2; a smartphone of the same format, but not with two screens, but with one “folding” one, Huawei Mate Xs; and about the folding phone that evokes the warmest nostalgic feelings, the Motorola Razr 5G.

OPPO X 2021 takes the same idea of ​​OLED screens with a polymer rather than glass coating, but plays with it in its own way. However, we have already seen something similar, just in a different area - we are talking about the LG Signature OLED R “roll-up” TV. The concept is really very similar - the flexible screen here is also wound on an axis, but does not roll up into a tube, but goes away in a “folded” » position towards the rear wall.

The OPPO X 2021 screen is moved by two special motors, and the diameter of the axis around which it bends is 6.8 mm. The trick, as is usually the case with magic tricks, is explained quite simply. But behind this simplicity are 122 patents, 12 of which relate specifically to the folding mechanism. It was necessary to invent not only the winding screen itself, but also a sliding backing with teeth, which should provide both the mobility of the display and reliable support for it. The design uses particularly light and strong steel - at one point the thickness of the substrate is 0.1 mm.

It’s interesting that, despite the status of a prototype, all this ultimately looks like a smartphone ready for sale - the design is polished, nothing is loose, the mechanism works smoothly and smoothly, the screen does not bend under pressure. Well, the slot at the edge of the device, into which the screen goes, is so thin that you don’t notice it right away. And the authors of the device themselves promise that the mechanism, even at this stage of development, has a serious “shelf life” - 100,000 operations. They promise that this will last for five and a half years with moderate use of the smartphone and for two to three years in the hands of a desperate geek who will move and push the OPPO X 2021 a hundred times a day.

The mechanism is activated using the side button. When the device is folded, you need to swipe it from bottom to top or press it twice. To fold it back, you need to swipe it from top to bottom. At the same time, the sensitivity is high - just turning the gadget in your hands, every now and then you push it apart and move it. What adds piquancy to the situation is that a fingerprint scanner is built into this key - and in theory, you can push the OPPO X 2021 right in your pocket with an awkward movement... but for this the scanner lacks sensitivity - it does not work every time.

However, one must be lenient with the prototype - it was created for magic, and not to work flawlessly. There are a lot of problems noticed in an hour of communication with the device - applications crash randomly, the battery “burns out” at a breakneck speed (despite the fact that it is not small at all - 4200 mAh). But it is in mechanical terms that everything is good - when you squeeze the unfolded OPPO X 2021 from the edges, it folds automatically and does not break. I did not insert various objects into the slot that is formed on the back during this operation, but based on experience in interacting with other smartphones that have a similar mechanism (the same OPPO Find X, for example), I assume that there should be no problems here.

The design - if you close your eyes to the uniqueness of the form factor - is classic: a display curved at the edges (in this case this is an elementary necessity), a white glass back, and polished metal edges. The smartphone turned out to be not at all thick and quite convenient - when folded it is definitely more convenient than the same Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 or Huawei Mate X. There is, of course, no mini-jack, and the USB Type-C port is located in the corner (Super high-speed charging VOOC supported). There are also stereo speakers - which is more than appropriate for a gadget with serious multimedia potential.

A few words about technical characteristics. The basic diagonal of the AMOLED screen is 6.7 inches, when unfolded it is 7.4 inches. The format is changing. The numbers are not mentioned, but by eye it is approximately 20:9 when folded, and 4:3 when unfolded. That is, from a standard smartphone to a standard tablet - the expected transformation. And that is why the display area in numbers changes much more than the diagonal. Resolution - 2K. The filling, with some adjustments, moved from the OPPO Find X2 (this is, by the way, how the operating system recognizes the smartphone): Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of non-volatile memory, triple rear camera with a single 12-megapixel sensor responsible for shooting. By the way, there is no front camera - this is probably one of the reasons why OPPO X 2021 is not yet in production. The front panel is an important element for any smartphone, but we haven’t figured out how to place it taking into account the unusual design.

An example of photography with the OPPO X 2021 camera

At the same time, the operating system works quite correctly - the proprietary Color OS shell successfully scales (albeit with funny jerks, which can be seen in the video posted at the beginning), as well as applications - both built-in and external (I was able to see how Tik Tok behaves – works without any problems, the application did not have to be restarted). The settings menu takes on a tablet appearance with a general list on the left and submenus on the right. I have already mentioned some “glitches” and freezes, but in general, from a software point of view, the device looks almost ready for production.

But will it ever be launched? At first glance, it seems that this is simply necessary for OPPO - despite permanent successes in the Chinese market, the company is stalling in Europe, it lacks truly stunning smartphones that can carve the company’s name into the granite of the consciousness of the mass consumer. OPPO X 2021 is just such a device. Perhaps the company believes that simply mentioning its name in relation to conceptual devices and various patents is already enough - OPPO really likes to present at each MWC not a fresh gadget, but a technology that will not necessarily be used in real life, but will be remembered as Chinese know-how -how. It is also possible that the company does not see the point in releasing a deliberately ultra-expensive gadget - if we take into account the current prices for smartphones with a flexible screen, then it can hardly cost less than two thousand dollars: the screen and additional precision mechanics are very expensive to produce.

But, in my opinion, these doubts are wrong. After all, conceptually, OPPO X 2021 is not just the most “magical” smartphone of our time, it is also free of the main disease of other transformers: there is no notorious “wrinkle” on the screen at the folding point. And there are whole wagons of wow effect and attention that you will attract with such a gadget. It will be a shame if OPPO X 2021 remains a prototype. Still, I want not only extremely reasonable and proven business solutions, but also technological romance, which we rarely think about in relation to phones lately.