A smartphone is a complex technological device. It is therefore a good idea to analyze all its aspects before rushing to buy it. To buy Oppo smartphone, you need to take into account all aspects. One of the most important features of a smartphone is the type of display. In fact, itis an aspect that affects the overall visual quality and, therefore, it is good not to focus solely and exclusively on the number of inches and resolution. The most popular panels, especially in the medium/low range of the market, are IPS LCD panels, which are capable of reproducing colors in a completely natural way and are clearly visible in sunlight. Of course, each panel makes history in itself and the only way to be sure of its quality is to tryit by hand, but already from the specifications you can have a general indication.
How to choose smartphones?
The most common resolution among mid-range smartphones is Full HD. This is considered by many to be the best compromise, as it mat ches the size of smartphone screens and the speed of Internet connections, while keeping costs relatively low. In short, thosewho go beyond this resolution usually have special needs. So it's no coincidence that most mid-range OPPO devices, from Reno2 Z to Find X2 Lite, are equipped with Full HD panels. Many other aspects must also be taken into account, from the maximum brightness that can reach the screen (measured in nitrate) to its contrast and the screen-to-body ratio. Don't underestimate the presence of protection (e.g. Gorilla Glass). These are all important factors in understanding the actual quality of a display.
Speaking of screen to body ratio, itis important to know that smartphones have several shape factors, which aim to make the front of the devices as "full screen" as possible. Manufacturers have found different solutions over the years to increase the screen-to-body ratio, from the notch (the highest made famous by the iPhone X) to its "water drop" variant, through the retractable camera and the camera hole. In particular, the OPPO Reno2 is a much talked-about smartphone for its "shark fin" camera, which protrudes from the top of the device. It is a mechanism designed to allow the user to enjoy a front part almost on the screen. Also not to be underestimated is the "small" pop-up camera used by cameras.
If you want a panel that can guarantee a certain "immersion" when viewing multimedia content, you should aim for a high screen to body ratio. However, you should take into account that smartphones that implement these solutions are generally thicker than average and can carry a certain weight. These aspects should not be underestimated as they affect the ease of use of the device. Usually, the "threshold" where a device starts to get a little "heavy" is the 200 grams, although this is obviously not transcendental. This makes it possible to "hold" the device well and is a cinematographic standard, which guarantees greater "immersion" when viewing multimedia content. It must be said that a big unknown is the updating of applications by developers, since many of them still cannot go and cover the entire screen on 21:9 panels.
A very important feature that is revolutionizing the world of smartphones is the refresh rate. Simply put, thisis the screen refresh rate, the number of times in a second that the image is "redrawn". This is a concept that has been around for a long time in the world of computer screens, but it has "intimidated" the smartphone field recently. A "common" screen has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, while smartphones that focus on this point have screens at 90 Hz, 120 Hz or 144 Hz. The higherthis value, the easieritis to use the smartphone, both in terms of the operating system and, above all, for applications designed to exploit this functionality, such as certain videogames.
Turning to the components under the shell, it is always good to understand the quality of the processor, RAM and internal memory. In fact, if the first one is the "brain" of the device, the RAM and the internal memory are fundamental to save data, in volatile or non-volatile mode. There are essentiallythreespecifications to consider for a processor: the number of cores, the frequencies at whichtheyoperate, and the associatedGPUs. Today, the processors of many smartphones are of the octa-core type, i.e. they have 8 computingunits. As for frequency, itisalways a good idea to take a look at the data from all the cores. In fact, in the field of mobile devices, the frequencies are oftendifferent. There are different types of processors, but the main manufacturers are usuallySnapdragon and MediaTek. Snapdragon processors are generallypopular in the community because they are capable of providing power and are generally well balanced in all contexts.
In terms of RAM, the standard isnow 4 GB. There are still low-end devices with 2 or 3 GB, but the market has moved decisively towards this amount of memory. In addition, the 6GB, 8GB and 12GB cuts are becoming more and more frequent, and there are also those that are starting to reach 16GB. In short, the trend is clear and itis good to try to take home a smartphone with 4GB of RAM and more, so that you can run more applications at the same time without any problems. An interesting aspect in the field of RAM, often underestimated by users, is the standard used. Indeed, there are LPDDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR4X and LPDDR5 memories, citing the most common ones. The difference lies in the transferrate: LPDDR4X memories transfer data at 4.26 Gb/s, while LPDDR5 memories transfer data at 6.4 Gb/s. In short, thisis a significant improvement that even the most demanding users will take intoaccount. LPDDR5 RAM is generally supported by the high-end.
Speaking of slices, we generally speak of 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB or 512GB. There are also devices up to 1TB. Generally speaking, the market is moving more and more towards the basic 64GB standard, relegating 32GB to low-end smartphones. In short, old memory problems are becoming increasingly rare. However, it must be taken into account that the space shown does not represent the actual space available, since the operating system and various system applications are already inside the device. Some manufacturers indicate the spaceoccupied by the pre-installed software on their official sites, soyoumightbeinterested in a "visit" to these ranges. To stay in the memory field, one possibility to mention is expansion via micro SD. In this case, it is worth examining the maximum expansion possibilities : there are smartphones that allow you to expand memory up to 1 TB, but other sreach a maximum of 256 GB. In any case, there are those that set the microSD as the main memory where to install applications. In order not to reduce the overall performance of the device, itis important to buy a micro SD fairly quickly. For more details, please refer to my guide on microSD to buy.
One of the most important features for many users is without a doubt battery life. In fact, it's very important to have a smartphone that can arrive at night as it should or reach the two fateful days. In this regard, the battery capacity of smartphones is expressed in milliam ps per hour (mAh). Obviously, a high mAh number generally corresponds to a long battery life. But there is a rather important exclamation point here : adevice with, for example, a 4000 mAh battery will not necessarily last as long as a battery of the same capacity. In fact, a device with a 3800 mAh battery may very well exceed a 4000 mAh battery in terms of battery life. There are many reasons for this, ranging from the user's use of the smartphone to the optimization of the software (even the battery-saving features are different) and the hardware used (e.g. a processor that consumes less power).
Other aspects to be taken into account are the possible presence of wireless recharging and reverse wireless recharging. Simply put, you can place your smartphone on a base to wirelessly charge it and you can also use it to charge other wireless devices. It is important to note that these technologies are still much slower than cable charging. In general, we talk about wireless charging up to 30W (there are still few people who have it, often we stop at 10W) and inverting the wireless charging to 5W, just to make you understand.
One aspect that many people are interested in is the presence of dual SIM support, i.e. the possibility to use 2 SIMs on the same smartphone. There are many devices that offer this possibility, but there are often limits. For example, the second SIM card may be unreachable when the first one is in use (dual standby), or some smartphones only support 4G/5G connectivity on the first SIM card, using a lower standard for the second.
Speaking of connectivity in general, it's good to take a look at 4G/LTE and 5G support. High-end smartphones in China are beginning to focus on the latter, thanks to the Snapdragon X55 modem, which is located next to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor. 5G is poised to deliver real benefits from performance to latency, but it will take some time to achieve effective coverage and for now it is only available on high-end smartphones or at a not-so-low cost (typically starting at 400/500 euros). Today, Italy has good 4G/LTE coverage, so you could bet on such a model. Well, at the moment all smartphones support this connectivity, but it is advisable to consider the presence of support for LTE networks of category 6 or higher, so that you can have access to advanced LTE (300 Mbps).
By moving to Wi-Fi, we've reached the point where high-end supports Wi-Fi 6 (and should soon support Wi-Fi 6E). Also known as 802.11ax, this standard is 40% faster than the previous one, consumes less energy and can be veryuseful for "avoiding" traffic jams in busy areas. Wi-Fi 6 operates on the traditional 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, while the future Wi-Fi 6E will also operate on 6 GHz frequencies, further "widening" the spectrum. Still in the field of connectivity, the other standards often sought after are Bluetooth and NFC (a chip used to make payments via a smartphone and to exchange data over short distances). For the rest, the charging port standard, whether microUSB or USB Type-C, must also be taken into account.
In addition, there is interest in a whole range of sensors, from accelerometers to proximity sensors, compass, gyroscope and finger print sensors. In particular, the latter is an excellent method of unlocking and can be integrated directly into the display, placed on the side (often directly on the power button) or at the back. In simple terms, the user can quickly authenticate himself by simply enrolling his fingerprint and placing his finger on the sensor.
Speaking of unlocking methods, facial recognition is now also available on low-end devices, allowing you to unlock your smartphone simply by framing your face. In this case, high-end devices are more secure (since they perform a "3D" reconstruction). In any case, itis a very fast and convenient way to unlock your smartphone. This is especially compared to the classic PIN code or the usual sequence to "draw" on the screen, which are still present in many models.
In a world where social networks are more and more used and where many people take pictures, the photography sector is becoming more and more important. So it is no coincidence that manufacturers are introducing sensors of a certain quality on mobile devices. They even insert lenses that cannot physically adapt to the body of the smartphone and, for this reason, some devices "dance" when placed on a flat surface.
In any case, the photography sectoris one of the most complex aspects of a smartphone. Well, the current market "spoils" the user with a large number of sensors. A typical example is a camera with 4 lenses : a main lens, a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens with a long focal length and a macro lens or depth of fieldlens.
There are also multiple configurations and each model has its own story, but in general, the main possibilities offered by a smartphone photo compartment are : high-resolution photos (software interpolation is also used, and HDR and artificial intelligence are used to improve shooting), wide-angle photos (thanks to the wide-angle lens), macro (close-ups, for example, of a flower, oftentaken in fixed focus at a distance of 4 cm from the subject) and zoom (up to 50x in digital, but 10x in optical is also achieved).
In addition, there are more and more high-resolution, stabilized videos (even 4K/60fps) and countless software features, including the emblematic Night Mode, which aims to improve the quality of night shots. In short, a very advanced hardware/software combination has now been realized, which allows, at the high-end level, to achieve interesting shots in all lighting conditions.
At the photographic sector level, the main information to be taken intoaccount, in addition to the number and type of lenses, are the megapixels (MP) and the aperture ("f" number). In fact, to makeitvery simple, the larger the pixels, the greater the final sharpness and the lower the digital noise, while a larger aperture affects the amount of light that can be captured.
The company has always done a great job in terms of functionality, because there are excellent gestures, the ability to access Google Assistant by simply pressing the side button, a quick bar that can beactivatedfrom the edge of the screen and much more. In general, ColorOS has always guaranteed a fluid experience, free of unnecessary pre-installed applications and capable of meeting all the needs of mostusers. Of course, it has all the basic features you would expect from Android.
The best OPPO smartphones at a low price (less than 300 euros)
Low-end smartphones are devices that can come in handy if you are a user without special needs. They discreetly carry out all the classic daily activities, frome mail management to calls and the use of major social networks.
The OPPO Reno2 Z, model released in 2019, is a smartphone that has "be witched" its fans with its high screen to body ratio and iconic pop-up camera that "comes out" from the top of the device. Excellent the presence of a triple slot (two nano SIM microSD). This is a low-end smartphone that is quietly below 300 euros. Don't expect great performance (see also SoCMediaTek), but it can certainly be a good choice if you don't have a high budget).
The OPPO A9 2020 is a particularly affordable smartphone, as it is often found at a price below 200 euros. Fans praise it especially for its large battery, which allows you to arrive in the evening without any problems. Not bad also the triple slot and the beautiful design. Don't expect a fast charge, a high-resolution display or a performance of a certain caliber, but the price/performance ratio is interesting.
OPPO A5 2020 can be defined as the entry level of the corporate portfolio: the smartphone that welcomes those who want to enter the OPPO ecosystem. It is offered at an even lower price than the A9 2020 and offers an interesting configuration, thanks in particular to its 5000 mAh battery and its quadruple rear camera. Again, don't expect performance from who knows what type or a display capable of particular visual performance, but the price is good.
OPPO's best mid-range smartphones (between 300 and 500 euros)
If you use your smartphone for work or if you are a user who is interested in the world of technology but does not have a large budget, the middle market could be the "place" for you. In fact, these devices have advanced features and allow the user to perform most tasks well.
OPPO Reno2 is the iconic smartphone that has been appreciated for its high screen to body ratio and "shark fin" camera. However, itis a device that is valuable in many ways, from the construction to the photo compartment and the battery life. The dimensions may not be suitable for everyone, but in general it is difficult to find big flaws in this camera, even if it obviously has some limitations due to its low price (even in terms of performance).
Realme X2 Pro is a very popular smartphone for users who are not "afraid" to target a brand recently arrived in Italy. Some people defineit as a "flagship killer", i.e. adevice capable of competing in many ways with the top of the range, even if itobviously loses the comparison in some sectors due to its lower price. In any case, the performance is very good, there's the 90Hz refresh rate and the 50W quick charge is a god send for those who have little time in everyday life. In short, a model to follow.
The OPPO Find X2 Lite is one of the smartphones that are entering the era of 5G connectivity on an equal footing. In fact, there is support for it, and this is the special feature of the device, which is trying to bring the standard down to below 500 euros. The technical card is good and there is also support for Wi-Fi 6, so pay attention to the presence of a slot for a single SIM card. In addition, the memory is not expandable.
The best high-end OPPO smartphones (above 500 euros)
The top of the market is for those who do not want to compromise. On the other hand, once you've tried a high-end device, no one will ever want to go back to a low-end device. From materials to performance, from displays designed for multimedia viewing, to granite battery life, to the latest memory standards and a high-quality photo compartment, the high-end is designed to offer the best on the market.
OPPO Find X2 Pro represents the spearhead of the Chinesecompany's portfolio. It is a smartphone thatmakes no compromises and bringseverythingthat the most demanding users need, from exceptional performance (itis one of the most powerful Android devices) to 5G support, including an extremely fast 65W recharge. It is also IP68 certified. In short, the priceis not the cheapest, but OPPO wanted to aimvery high with this device. In fact, all that is missingis the wireless recharge. You should also know that there is only one slot for a nanoSIM.
If you want to aim for the top, OPPO Find X2 Pro Lamborghini Edition might be just right for you. The spec sheet is essentially the same as the Find X2 Pro, but the design is inspired by the aerodynamic lines of the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster, which might be tempting if you're a car enthusiast.