When I first heard about the Oppo Find N5 Fold, I was genuinely excited. A foldable smartphone boasting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, a Hasselblad camera, and a 2K AMOLED display seemed like the perfect blend of innovation and practicality. But as I dived deeper into using it, some shortcomings started surfacing. While it’s undeniably a technological marvel, there are critical areas where Oppo could do better.
First Impressions: Design and Build Quality
The book-style foldable design caught my attention immediately. It’s compact, feels premium in hand, and the titanium alloy hinge is sturdy and smooth. However, the phone’s thickness when folded is hard to ignore. At 15.9mm, it feels like carrying two phones stacked together. While the titanium build adds durability, the added weight of 275g makes prolonged usage uncomfortable, especially during calls.
I also noticed the lack of IPX8 certification for water resistance. For a phone of this caliber, not having robust water protection feels like a missed opportunity. The Gorilla Glass Victus back adds some drop resistance, but the overall fragility of a foldable device makes me cautious.
Display Performance: Vibrant but Flawed
The 7.3-inch 2K AMOLED display is absolutely stunning. Colors pop, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling. However, there’s a noticeable inconsistency between the inner display and the outer screen, which is capped at 60Hz. This creates a jarring experience when switching between the two.
Additionally, the aspect ratio of the inner display (8.4:9) doesn’t play well with all apps. Apps like Instagram struggle to render properly, often requiring awkward scrolling or cropping. This detracts from the otherwise immersive experience.
Performance: Powerful Yet Imperfect
With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor and 16GB of RAM, multitasking and gaming are a breeze. I played several high-performance games, and they ran smoothly without any noticeable lag. But there’s a catch—the phone heats up significantly during extended sessions, which can be uncomfortable.
Battery life is another area of concern. Despite the 6,000mAh capacity, the power-hungry features drain it faster than expected. I had to recharge midway through a day of heavy usage, which was disappointing.
Camera: Photography Excellence With Limitations
The Hasselblad-backed triple camera system is impressive on paper. The 50 MP main sensor captures vibrant, detailed photos, and the periscope telephoto lens offers excellent zoom capabilities. However, low-light performance isn’t as great as I had hoped. Images tend to have noise, and the color accuracy falters under artificial lighting.
Additionally, the front-facing camera feels like an afterthought. For a device at this price point, the selfies lack the sharpness and detail you’d expect. It’s adequate but falls short compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6.
User Experience: Innovation With Compromises
I appreciated the three-stage alert slider for quickly switching between sound modes. The tablet-like screen is excellent for productivity, but the lack of proper software optimization dampens the experience. Split-screen functionality, for instance, is clunky, and some third-party apps don’t scale well.
The absence of global availability is another major drawback. I had to import the device, which added to the cost and complexity. Oppo’s decision to focus on the Chinese market feels restrictive, especially for a phone with global appeal.
Battery and Charging: Falls Short of Expectations
On paper, the 6,000mAh battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging seems like a dream. In practice, the battery drains faster than anticipated, especially when using power-intensive features like gaming or streaming.
The charging speed is excellent, but I noticed the device heats up during charging, which raises concerns about long-term battery health. This issue, coupled with the already heavy phone, makes me second-guess its reliability for all-day use.
Pricing and Value: Is It Worth It?
With an expected price tag of Rs. 399,999 in Pakistan, the Oppo Find N5 Fold is undeniably expensive. While the features justify the price to some extent, the lack of global availability, water resistance, and optimized software makes it a tough sell. Competitors like Samsung and Huawei offer better-rounded devices at similar price points.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium design with a durable titanium build.
- Stunning 2K AMOLED inner display with vibrant colors.
- Hasselblad camera delivers sharp, detailed photos in good lighting.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 ensures smooth multitasking and gaming.
- Supports fast wired and wireless charging.
Cons:
- Thick and heavy design makes it less portable.
- Limited app optimization for the inner display.
- Battery drains quickly under heavy use.
- Low-light camera performance is subpar.
- Not officially available globally, increasing acquisition costs.
FAQs:
Is the Oppo Find N5 Fold water-resistant?
No, the device lacks an IPX8 rating or any certified water resistance, making it less durable in wet conditions.
How does the Oppo Find N5 Fold compare to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6?
The Oppo Find N5 Fold excels in build quality and hinge design but falls behind in software optimization and global availability.
Does the Oppo Find N5 Fold support wireless charging?
Yes, it supports 50W wireless charging and 80W wired charging, but heat generation during charging is a concern.
Can the Oppo Find N5 Fold handle heavy gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor makes it great for gaming, but extended sessions can cause the device to heat up.
Is the Oppo Find N5 Fold available outside China?
Currently, the device is primarily available in China, with no official plans for a global release. Importing is the only option for international users.
Conclusion: A Game-Changer With Room for Improvement
The Oppo Find N5 Fold is an impressive foldable smartphone with cutting-edge technology and a premium design. However, its thickness, lack of global availability, and software shortcomings hold it back from being the ultimate foldable experience.
For enthusiasts and early adopters, it’s a fascinating device that pushes boundaries. But for the average user, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 or Huawei Mate X2 might offer a more balanced package. Oppo has the potential to lead the foldable market, but the Find N5 Fold leaves some room for improvement.
