I must commend the design of this smartphone; it strikes a balance between simplicity and uniqueness. It’s no surprise that OPPO has decided to incorporate this design into several of their other phone models. However, I would caution against saturating the market too quickly with multiple phones sporting the same design.
Now, let’s delve into the display aspect:
The screen on this OPPO A-series smartphone adheres to the brand’s usual standards. It boasts a 6.56-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1612×720 pixels, categorizing it as a 720p phone. Notably, it also features a 90Hz refresh rate, which significantly enhances the overall visual experience.
Speaking of display quality, it’s quite impressive. The screen covers nearly 100% of the sRGB colour gamut and boasts a low Delta E number. However, it falls short of the vibrant and vivid colours characteristic of OLED displays, lacking that pop. Furthermore, the maximum brightness, at only around 380 nits, makes outdoor use challenging. Even when positioned beside a window on a sunny day, you might encounter visibility issues.
Now, moving on to the camera setup:
The phone features a dual-camera setup, comprising a 50MP primary camera and a 2MP depth camera. It’s evident that the device doesn’t offer the most versatile image-capturing capabilities. Photos captured in well-lit conditions exhibit decent detail and rapid autofocus. Moreover, the exposure is well-timed, and the dynamic range is commendable. However, subject highlights could be improved, and the overall colour profile in the final image seems somewhat lacklustre.
As for the 8MP selfie sensor on the Oppo A78 5G, it excels in delivering high-quality self-portraits across various lighting conditions. Nevertheless, a significant concern with the front camera is the noticeable delay in capturing the moment. For instance, when making facial expressions or smiling, there is a slight but perceptible lag in the device’s response, which can be distracting, particularly when taking group photos.
In terms of performance, this smartphone utilizes the Dimensity 700 chipset. To be candid, it exhibits some lag when subjected to more demanding tasks. I attempted to install Genshin Impact, and it became evident that this chipset struggled to handle the game, signalling its limitations.
Camera Samples
Specs
| Specs | Oppo A78 5G |
|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 with ColorOS 13 |
| Display | 6.56-inch IPS LCD 90Hz refresh rate |
| SoC | Dimensity 700 SoC |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP+2MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Charging | 33W |
| Size | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 188 grams |
| Connectivity | 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band WiFi |
Battery life is a different story, though. The 5,000mAh battery performs admirably, thanks to the remarkable battery efficiency of the Dimensity 700 chipset. The phone lasted well over 12 hours. In practical terms, this translates to the ability to use the phone for two days on a single charge.
Regarding charging speed, the OPPO A78 5G is supplied with a 33W charger, and it takes approximately 95 minutes to charge from 15% to 100%. It’s a respectable charging speed that ensures you won’t have to wait too long to regain full power.
When it comes to the operating system, the Oppo A78 comes pre-installed with ColorOS 13, which is built on the foundation of the Android 13 operating system. ColorOS 13 on the OPPO A78 stands out for its enhanced sophistication, however, it’s worth noting that the A78’s software includes a notable amount of pre-installed applications, which can be uninstalled.
The price is £219 (Glowing Black)available from Oppo and O2 , EE and Very and other retailers
TNC Score
3.4/5.0
