In a world of ever spiraling smartphone costs, trying to find an affordable, yet still well made and powerful device can seem like an impossible task. The device, which will launch in July 2022, is set to fill that void with its sophisticated look, decent specs, and that affordable price. This mid-range phone has caught the eye thanks to its 5G capabilities, big battery life and decent camera set-up to make it a great option for those seeking value without losing anything vital. So, for me, there is only one option left to see if this Oppo model offers something unique and exclusive or not, and that’s through the rigorous Oppo A97 5G Review In this Oppo A97 5G review, I’ll tell you all the features and specs of this latest smartphone, their Pros & Cons, and justifying whether it is worth the money or not.
Design and Build Quality
The Oppo A97 5G features a sleek and sleek design, it is ideal for users who emphasize style and usability. The phone has a flat-frame that extends outwards on the back, and then there’s the rectangular camera module, which adds to its stylishness despite being a budget offering. The back panel is matte so it avoids fingerprints and smudges; the portion around the camera module is glossy and adds to the elegance. It comes in two color options Deep Sea Blue and Quiet Night Black and gives out a premium feel.
The Oppo A97 5G measures 176.00 x 76.00 x 8.10mm and weighs around 194 grams making it easy to use. The light weight makes it so that it can barely be felt, even for regular or prolonged use. The phone’s 6.56- or 6.66-inch display (depending on the source) delivers a smooth, edge-to-edge viewing experience, and using slim, narrow bezels and a dewdrop notch holding the front camera. A 3.5mm headphone jack is very welcome, as wired audio has largely fallen by the wayside in more recent smartphones.
The build is solid, with its plastic frame and back both feeling substantial in hand. It may not have the glass and metal you'd be expecting, but the Oppo A97 5G is made of the sort of durable materials that'll survive daily life – meaning it’s aimed at student, professional and casual users.
Display: Vibrant and Smooth
The Oppo A97 5G features a 6.56-inch or 6.66-inch IPS LCD, depending on the market or source. The display resolution is 1080 x 2408 pixels or 1080 x 2020 pixels with Full HD+. The display has a 90Hz refresh rate so whether you’re scrolling social media, gaming or watching a video, everything will look smooth and fluid. The higher refresh rate is what stands out in the budget space, as you get a far more fluid experience than on a regular 60Hz screen.
The only thing the display adds in terms of feature is the AI-based smart eye protection which will lower the amount of blue light if you’re watching something for too long. It’s not an AMOLED panel but the IPS LCD display offers respectable color accuracy and enough brightness for using it indoors and outdoors. That said, the screen’s brightness may not stack up in full sun to some of the higher-end models. It is priced at the budget end and is as such, a well balanced display of both affordability and optimal quality for those who appreciate simple but effective, fluid display and precise views.
Performance: Powered for Every Day Happy with expecting nothing less from Lenovo.
Internally, the Oppo A97 5G runs the MediaTek Dimensity 810 SoC, an octa-core SoC fabricated with a 6nm process. This processor is ideal for efficiency and performance, built to handle day-to-day tasks with convenience, streaming, and multitasking. It also provides 12GB of RAM which makes the device smooth and efficient regardless of the number of apps running at the same time. It also has virtual RAM expansion, with the device allowing users to add up to 19GB of RAM using internal storage (for better multitasking).
It has 256GB of memory, so you can store tonnes of apps, photos, videos and more. For anyone who needs additional storage, it would have been nice for the option to expand with a microSD card, although that’s not in the specs. Oppo A97 5G: Software The Oppo A97 5G boots Android 12 with ColorOS 12 on top, It delivers an ad-free and pollutants free interface. ColorOS offers many chances to tweak the way your phone looks and behaves to your specific tastes.
Performance wise, the MediaTek Dimensity 810 offers a good performance for casual and mid-range games (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile etc.) It's not going to play high-end games on the highest settings, but most people don't game on the top settings. The phone’s thermal management is decent and does not overheat under extensive gaming and usage.
Camera: Size The Moment with True-to-Life Detail
The 91% screen-to-body ratio on the Oppo A97 5G is the same as the Oppo A96 5G, although the latter gets a triple-rear camera setup compared to a dual rear camera in the case of the former, with a 48-megapixel primary sensor. This camera is capable of taking extremely detailed and colorful photos in good lighting conditions, and can be used for unpretentious photos. The 2-megapixel secondary sensor is probably a depth or macro lens to aid portrait photography or close-up shoots. The second shooter isn't as flexible as the primary lens, but it's plenty good for social media posts, casual snaps and even some low-light photography, if you have night mode enabled.
The phone has a 12-megapixel selfie camera in the dewdrop notch for snaps of yourself. For video calls and selfies, the front camera takes some decent images with the help of software features such as portrait mode and beauty filters to help take things up a notch. Though the camera system is not flagship status, for the price the camera is more than sufficient for the average user who needs a solid camera that’s not going to cost an arm and a leg.
The camera app is easy to use, with a HDR, panorama and AI scene detection that helps you get the most out of your settings wherever you are. It can shoot video as well, 1080p, and while there is no 4K or optical image stablization, video quality is decent.
Battery Life: All-Day Power
Its 5,000mAh battery is one of the most impressive things about the Optus A97 5G – it has long-lasting battery life, making it possible to get a full day’s use from just a single charge. No matter if you’re streaming videos, chatting on your favorite social network or playing games, the battery is long-lasting — after a full day of use, you still have some power for lighter users. The addition of 33W fast charging is also a big positive as it means that the phone can charge fast, especially when you compare it to some of the other devices in and around its segment. A full charge can be gained in about an hour, keeping you on the go.
The phone’s power-saving MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor and clean-cut software help to deliver strong battery life. A big battery and super-fast charging mean you can keep blasting through fire fights without being welded to the nearest wall - perfect for those who are always in a hurry.
Connectivity and Extras
Being a 5G-capable device, so when 5G networks are around, the Oppo A97 5G benefits from high-speed download/upload rates. It is also dual-SIM with dual 4G active standby, so great for those who need to carry multiple numbers. Additional connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
It has a side mount fingerprint scanner for fast and secure unlocking, and there is also face unlock for extra peace of mind. The audio experience has been powered by dual stereo speakers with Dirac to deliver an apt media consumption device in the Oppo A97 5G. Another thoughtful choice would be the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack that will allow headphone jack enthusiasts to listen to music through a wired set of earphones.
Pricing and Availability
Oppo A97 5G price The Oppo A97 5G is priced at CNY 1,999 (roughly $298 or ₹23,600) for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant in China. A BASE MODEL which comes with 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage, however, in some market, the price at around price Yuan2999 (Roughly around ₹27,200). Phone can be pre-ordered in China from July 11 2022 The phone went on sale on July 15, 2022. Though it was introduced in China, there has been no official confirmation on the availability in regions, including India or Pakistan and it might launch in markets where it is expected to be available.
In Pakistan, the phone costs approximately PKR 51,999, which is a pretty competitive price in the mid-range category. The price is expected to be between ₹23,600 and ₹27,000 for the Indian users, depending on the variant. These rates make the Oppo A97 5G a great budgetable option with all of its features.
Why Choose the Oppo A97 5G?
There are a few things that make the Oppo A97 5G unique in the sea of mid-range smartphones. Its 5G capabilities mean it's future-proofed for when faster networks are widely adopted. This phone is powered by a 90Hz display and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charge. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor, along with ample amount of RAM and storage, the device offers you good enough performance for day-to-day operations and light gaming.
The reaction on that was quite interesting, the camera system, nothing breaking new but still more than adequate for casual snapshotting and the sexy ass design to boot. With added features such as the 3.5mm-headphone jack, dual stereo sound speakers, and side-mounted fingerprint sensor further elevating user experience, the Oppo A97 5G is a well-rounded device.
Who Is It For?
The Oppo A97 5G is the perfect pick to those who want budget phone that features the latest technologies. It strikes a great balance between performance, battery life, and cost that will appeal to students, young professionals, and anyone who doesn't want to spend a lot but still wants a decent product. If you’re the type who just needs a dependable phone for everyday duties, for checking in to social media and the occasional short gaming session, this may be worth your consideration. But if you’re a power user craving flagship-class performance, or advanced camera capabilities, you’ll probably want to look at something more premium.
Comparison with Competitors
In the affordable 5G category, the Oppo A97 5G goes against the likes of Poco X7 5G, Vivo T2 5G, and the Samsung Galaxy A series. They may not offer you the kind of raw processing power that you’d expect from the Poco X7 5G, but they come with larger battery capacities and faster charging support. There is better color reproduction of Vivo T2 5G due to the presence of AMOLED display, but the Oppo A97 5G has more RAM and storage at an equivalent series price. Versus Samsung's budget options, the Oppo A97 5G impresses with its 90Hz screen refresh and the inclusion of 5G for less.
Final Thoughts
The Oppo A97 5G is one model to consider if you want a budget phone with a modern feature set. And with a slim design, attractive 90Hz display, fast MediaTek Dimensity 810 chip and long-lasting 5,000mAh battery, it’s a strong player in the mid-range. 5G connectivity, fast charging, and a decent camera system make the offer even more enticing. It's not amazing in any category, but delivers a fulfilling package that is going to appeal to a lot of people.
If you want to switch to a 5G phone but don’t want to spend a fortune, then the Oppo A97 5G could be worth looking at. It's not the best in any category, but on the low-end, it's the perfect such combination, it has power and battery life/great price for it's performance. Whether you are a student, a professional, or just a casual user, this smartphone will fulfil your connectivity and productivity needs.
