7 Pros and Cons of OPPO A18 Smartphone
Are you on a tight budget but still want a reliable mobile phone? The OPPO A18 might be just what you need. This entry-level phone has undergone rigorous testing. OPPO assures that this mobile will perform well for up to three years.
Additionally, the OPPO A18 is equipped with an IP54 rating, meaning it can withstand dust and water splashes. This model, which follows the OPPO A17, has got several features that make it an excellent choice, especially given its affordable price.
Wondering what makes the OPPO A18 appealing? Or maybe you're still figuring out if it's the right fit for you? Keep reading to discover more about this mobile phone!
Pros of OPPO A18
The OPPO A18 is more affordable than its counterparts, the OPPO A38 and OPPO A58, all of which belong to the entry-level category. But affordable doesn’t mean low quality. Here are six reasons why this budget-friendly phone stands out:
1. Dust- and Splash-proof Body
The 2023 releases of the OPPO A Series share a common design aesthetic. As a result, the OPPO A18 resembles its siblings, the OPPO A38 and OPPO A58.
This design, known as OPPO Glow, features two prominent circles on the elliptical camera module, which are highlighted with glossy accents that extend downward. The body of the OPPO A18 shines in the Glowing Blue variant, while the Glowing Black version offers an elegant look that appeals to users of all ages.
Not only is the OPPO A18 visually appealing, but it also feels great in your hand. The surface isn’t slippery, and the phone's size is comfortably compact, measuring just 8.2 grams in thickness and weighing 188 grams.
A key aspect of the OPPO A18's design is its IP54 rating, similar to the OPPO A38, OPPO A58, and OPPO A78. This certification ensures the phone is protected against dust and splashes of water.
Moreover, the OPPO A18's durability is enhanced by passing various stress tests. These include 150,000 presses of the volume button, 20,000 insertions of the USB C port, and 500,000 presses of the power button.
2. Bright 90 Hz Display
The IPS LCD display is a common choice for entry-level mobile phones because it offers a good balance of cost and quality. The OPPO A18 uses this type of panel for its 6.56-inch screen.
Although the screen resolution is only HD+ (720 x 1612 pixels), it is still quite adequate for viewing content comfortably. Plus, this resolution helps conserve battery power more effectively.
One of the highlights of this display is its 90 Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth scrolling and enhances the gaming experience by supporting frame rates up to 90 FPS.
The brightness of the OPPO A18’s screen is also considerable as it can reach up to 720 nits. This makes it suitable for outdoor use, as it remains clear even in bright conditions. Generally, any display that achieves over 500 nits can easily maintain legibility outdoors.
Additional features of this screen include 100 percent DCI-P3 color coverage and an eye care mode that reduces blue light emissions, making it easier on the eyes during night-time use.
3. Good Daily Performance
It’s beneficial that the OPPO A18 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, a chipset introduced in 2020. Despite its age, the Helio G85 offers a significant performance improvement over the Helio G35 used in the previous model, the OPPO A17.
The chipset is adequate for daily tasks such as browsing social media, messaging, watching YouTube videos, and reading news or manga. It can also handle popular games like Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile.
OPPO guarantees that the A18 will maintain smooth performance for up to 36 months. This confidence is backed by the Helio G85’s powerful architecture, which includes two Cortex A75 cores running at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex A55 cores at 1.8 GHz, alongside a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU at 1000 MHz.
The device comes with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, with an Extended RAM feature that adds up to 4 GB more. This feature utilizes free space from the internal storage to temporarily expand RAM, enhancing performance during multitasking or more demanding gaming sessions.
Performance benchmarks place the Helio G85 with an AnTuTu 10 score of about 270,000, and Geekbench 6 scores of 410 for single-core and 1319 for multi-core tasks.
4. Decent Camera Capture
The OPPO A18 is equipped with two rear cameras: an 8MP autofocus main camera with an aperture of f/2.0, and a 2MP depth camera with an aperture of f/2.4, accompanied by a flash. The front camera features a 5MP sensor with fixed focus and an aperture of f/2.2.
Both the main and front cameras support 1080p video recording at 30 FPS. While the camera setup lacks advanced features like an ultrawide lens or 60 FPS recording, the performance is respectable for its price range.
From the sample photos reviewed on Chang Life's YouTube channel, the main camera produces images with vibrant colors, decent dynamic range, and adequate detail. Video quality is typical for this segment, with no stabilization and somewhat unclear audio.
Source: CHANG LIFE
Source: CHANG LIFE5. Battery Life is Sufficient
Many smartphones now come with a 5000 mAh battery, which has become a standard feature. The OPPO A18 is equipped with this capacity as well. However, not every phone with a 5000 mAh battery offers long-lasting performance.
Fortunately, the OPPO A18 is an exception, as its battery life is quite reliable. It can easily last a full day on a single charge, supporting its users through their daily activities.
According to OPPO, the phone can sustain up to 7 hours of gaming. Additionally, it can handle 32 hours of talk time, making it a dependable choice for heavy phone users.
6. MicroSD Slot and Audio Jack, Sensors are Fully Equipped
One of the advantages of purchasing an entry-level phone is that it typically includes essential features. For the OPPO A18, these include a microSD slot and an audio jack.
The microSD slot on the OPPO A18 is separate from the dual SIM card slots, allowing users to install two SIM cards and a microSD card simultaneously. The slot supports up to 1 TB of additional storage.
Another useful feature is the 3.5 mm audio jack located at the bottom of the phone, which lets users connect wired earphones for an enhanced audio experience.
OPPO has also generously included a full set of sensors in the A18. These include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, compass, and a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. The only sensor missing is the gyroscope, which is often omitted in entry-level models.
7. Sales Package with Charger
Source: CHANG LIFEOPPO continues to provide a comprehensive sales package with its smartphones, and the OPPO A18 is no exception. The box includes not just the phone itself.
Inside, buyers will also find a USB cable, a 10-watt charger head, a SIM card ejector, and a protective case. The included accessories cover the basics well. Customers may only need to purchase a tempered glass screen protector to enhance the safety of their device's screen.
OPPO A18 Disadvantages
To maintain an affordable price, the OPPO A18 has had to sacrifice certain features. Whether or not these reductions are significant might vary from person to person. Here, I consider these omissions as drawbacks.
1. RAM is Tight
For some, the 4 GB of RAM in the OPPO A18 might seem sufficient as it can handle multiple apps at once and manage a fair number of games smoothly.
However, when compared to its competitors, the 4 GB of RAM appears less generous. Many smartphones from other brands are now equipped with 6 GB or even 8 GB of RAM, offering much better performance capabilities.
Given this comparison, the 4 GB RAM in the OPPO A18 can feel quite limited. Furthermore, this smaller amount of RAM might not be adequate for future needs, as Android applications increasingly demand more memory to function effectively.
2. No NFC, No Protection Glass, and No Fast Charging
As the most budget-friendly model in the A Series for 2023, the OPPO A18 has undergone several feature cuts to keep costs down, notably lacking NFC, protective glass, and fast charging.
The absence of NFC means the OPPO A18 isn't the best choice for those who frequently use public transport or toll roads that benefit from NFC technology.
While the lack of protective glass can be mitigated by applying a tempered glass screen protector, the absence of fast charging cannot be compensated. Therefore, users must be patient while waiting for the phone's battery to fully recharge.
3. Lack of Ultrawide Camera and Stereo Speaker
It's rare to find an ultrawide camera in the OPPO A Series smartphones. In fact, none of the OPPO A Series models released in 2023 include this type of camera.
The absence of an ultrawide camera in the OPPO A18 is part of the cost-cutting measures to keep the phone affordable. The same reason applies to the lack of stereo speakers. However, if you're looking for an economical phone that includes stereo speakers, the OPPO A58 might be a good alternative.
Conclusion
The launch of the OPPO A18 represents an effort by OPPO to expand the variety in their entry-level lineup. While a wide array of choices might seem overwhelming, it also allows consumers to be more selective based on their needs.
The OPPO A18 may not suit advanced users who are looking for premium features such as NFC, stereo speakers, fast charging, and an ultrawide camera. Nevertheless, it presents a viable choice for casual users seeking affordability.
What stands out about the OPPO A18 is its reliable performance. OPPO ensures that it will operate smoothly for at least 36 months following the purchase. Moreover, it is equipped to handle various weather conditions with its IP54 certification.
Other notable features include a bright screen, satisfactory camera performance, and a comprehensive sales package. So, could the OPPO A18 be the phone you're looking for?