10 Pros and Cons of OPPO A17 Smartphone
The OPPO A17 is an affordable smartphone created for the entry-level market. The target market does not require high-end specifications, but the device should still provide adequate performance and features.
Keeping this in mind, the OPPO A17 has modest specifications while still offering high-quality features comparable to those found in flagship smartphones. OPPO has even improved the rear camera's image quality.
Before jumping into the main topic, please check the table below for a sneak peek at the smartphone's pros and cons.
Pros of the OPPO A17
This mobile phone has four distinct perks. These are the primary advantages of the OPPO A17.
1. Premium Design for an Entry-Level Phone
The OPPO A17 has a more luxurious and comfortable design than its predecessors, the OPPO A16 and A15, despite being an affordable device.
The ultra-slim retro design, which features a central frame and flat edges, exudes a sophisticated appearance. The rear body features composite processing that mimics the appearance and feel of leather, with an embossed light leather grain and a UV-coated exterior for added protection.
As a result of the use of two circular camera modules, the rear body appears uncluttered. The primary module contains the primary camera, while the secondary module contains the depth camera and an LED flash. The fingerprint sensor is integrated with the power button on the device's side, a placement that facilitates quick unlocking.
The front design, although similar to the previous series, retains a waterdrop notch, which is somewhat disappointing compared to more modern designs found on Android devices with similar prices. The A17's distinctive camera module, elegant rear body, and comfortable grip help to make up for this drawback.
With dimensions of 164.2 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm and a weight of 189 grams, the OPPO A17 has a pleasant feel in the hand.
In addition, the A17 outperforms other low-cost smartphones due to its IPX4 certification, which provides resistance to water splashes from any direction.
2. High-Quality HD+ IPS Display
Designed for the entry-level market, the OPPO A17 features a 6.56-inch IPS panel display with HD+ resolution for crystal-clear images.
The screen brightness levels, which are rated at 430 nits in normal mode and 600 nits in high brightness mode, enable clear visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
The A17's IPS display offers satisfying color reproduction with a color balance that is nearly accurate. This makes outdoor viewing of the screen a pleasant experience. To further improve the user experience, OPPO has included an AI Eye Care feature that reduces eye fatigue and irritation during extended screen use.
The OPPO A17's display is suitable for both everyday use and gaming. However, one small drawback is the absence of Gorilla Glass protection, as the device offers only basic scratch resistance.
3. Enhanced Security with ColorOS 12
OPPO continues to place its trust in the ColorOS operating system. In the OPPO A17, this trust manifests as the latest, more streamlined, and secure iteration, ColorOS 12.1, based on Android 12. The updated OS introduces an improved security system touted as surpassing the efficiency of its predecessor.
A standout feature of this security system is the password request prompt when rebooting the device. This functionality proves beneficial in safeguarding the device against unauthorized resets, a common concern in situations involving theft or misuse.
4. High-Resolution Camera Suits the Phone's Price Range
Despite the fact that the OPPO A series may not be primarily aimed at photography enthusiasts, the company strives to improve the camera's performance with each new series. In the A17 series, OPPO opted for a simplified camera configuration.
The OPPO A17 features a dual-camera system consisting of a primary camera and a depth camera. The rear-facing primary camera is a 50-MP unit with an f/2.2 aperture and Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) technology, which ensures sharp, in-focus images.
The secondary camera, in contrast, has a resolution of only 2 MP. The A17 has a 5 MP, f/2.2 front-facing camera for selfie enthusiasts.
The OPPO A17 produces satisfactory photographs. The rear camera produces color-accurate and compositionally precise images. However, the front camera's performance is somewhat compromised due to its lower 5 MP resolution, resulting in less detail in selfies.
As noted by the YouTube channel Sesuai Harga, the A17's photo quality is commendable for its price range. The images are sharp and detailed, with appropriate color saturation and brightness levels. However, the selfie quality is average, indicating room for improvement in future iterations of the series.
Cons of the OPPO A17
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, it's crucial to consider six other aspects of the OPPO A17 that could use improvement. Let's take a closer look at these points.
1. Average Chipset for its Price Range
The OPPO A16 retains the same MediaTek Helio G35 chipset utilized in the OPPO A16. This chipset was chosen due to its low power consumption, acceptable performance, and necessary 4G connectivity.
The MediaTek Helio G35, which is manufactured using a 12 nm process, contains an eight-core processor. This processor has 4 Cortex A53 cores operating at 2.3 GHz for performance and 4 Cortex A53 cores operating at 1.8 GHz for power efficiency. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU is utilized for graphic processing by the MediaTek SoC.
The MediaTek Helio G35 chipset's HyperEngine feature promotes fluid performance and significant power efficiency. Additionally, the OPPO A17 features 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage.
OPPO offers a RAM extension of up to 4 GB, allowing the OPPO A17 to have a total of 8 GB of RAM for enhanced multitasking.
Nevertheless, according to the Sesuai Harga YouTube channel, the OPPO A17 has an AnTuTu score of 109,149 and GeekBench 5 scores of 167 (single-core) and 880 (multicore). Considering its price range, this smartphone's performance is just average.
2. Screen Refresh Rate Limited to 60 Hz
Modern mid-range and flagship phones frequently feature a sizable screen in addition to a number of features that improve the visual experience.
The refresh rate is one such feature that has drawn interest. Recent smartphone releases feature refresh rates ranging from 90 to 120 Hz. Unfortunately, the A17 series settles for a standard refresh rate of 60 Hz.
A high refresh rate provides smoother, faster animation displays, which is helpful for gamers and those who engage in extensive web browsing.
3. No Stereo Speakers
OPPO appears to have overlooked the potential of the A series, as evidenced by the lack of stereo speakers in the A17 model. This omission is somewhat disappointing, considering there are competitors in the same price range that offer stereo speakers.
Stereo speakers enhance the experience of watching videos and gaming, offering a more immersive and enjoyable audio environment. The sound quality from dual speakers tends to be louder and clearer than that from a single speaker. The absence of stereo speakers in the OPPO A17 is indeed a missed opportunity.
4. 5000 mAh Battery without Fast Charging
The OPPO A17 model has a powerful 5000 mAh battery designed for longevity, but it lacks a fast charging feature. This omission is a significant disadvantage, particularly for smartphone users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day.
Considering the price point of the A17, OPPO could have ideally included an 18W or 25W fast charging option. Several manufacturers in the same price range already offer 25W fast charging, indicating that OPPO missed a chance to compete.
5. Lack of Ultra-wide Sensor
Despite targeting the entry-level market, the OPPO A17's camera features have been improved commendably. The resulting image quality is noticeably sharp and detailed. However, the manufacturer has failed to include an ultra-wide sensor in the rear camera setup.
This exclusion is a significant drawback, given the utility of this sensor in capturing expansive subjects. While the panorama mode can somewhat compensate for this absence by creating ultra-wide shots, it demands more effort and technique from the user.
6. Still Utilize MicroUSB
This budget-friendly smartphone supports a range of connectivity options, including a 4G cellular network, WiFi 5, and FM radio.
Additionally, it incorporates Bluetooth 5.2, offering enhanced reliability, energy efficiency, and user experience over its previous versions.
Regrettably, the OPPO A17 reverts to utilizing a microUSB port, a dated choice in an era where almost all entry-level phones have transitioned to USB Type C.
The presence of a microUSB port is often viewed as a technological regression aimed at cutting production costs, particularly since USB Type C offers faster data transfer and power charging capabilities.
Conclusion
The OPPO A17 aims to be an everyday smartphone with a luxurious design, a 50 MP camera, and a new operating system. In addition, its waterproof quality makes it suitable for outdoor activities, as it provides protection from rain and accidental liquid spills.
The choice of the MediaTek Helio G35 chipset may be viewed as unimpressive, considering that it was used in the previous A series. However, OPPO counteracts this by offering more RAM, thereby maintaining the performance of the phone.
Despite these advantages, the lack of fast-charging capabilities and the continued use of microUSB ports are significant drawbacks that appear out of step with technological advancements.
In conclusion, the OPPO A17 is a viable option if you're looking for an entry-level smartphone that mimics the design aesthetics of a flagship model and has a competent camera. What are your thoughts? Does this smartphone grab your interest?