Table of Contents
Chinese tech company OPPO has introduced a new smartphone, the F21 Pro 5G, as part of its F series. The firm also offers a 4G version of this model, which I’ve previously examined. The two versions differ in terms of chipset, screen refresh rate, camera specifications, and rear panel design. With a price tag of USD 359, the 5G model costs slightly more than its 4G counterpart and competes with various models from Realme, OnePlus, and other brands. In this review, we’ll assess whether buying the OPPO F21 Pro 5G is a wise decision.
Verdict
The OPPO F21 Pro 5G may not be the best choice for those seeking top-notch performance, but it compensates with its slender and stylish form as well as solid battery life. Its camera performs well in well-lit conditions, but its abilities in low light could be better.
The lowdown
Design
The OPPO F21 Pro 5G deviates from its 4G counterpart by featuring a colorful polycarbonate back with a matte texture instead of a clean leather finish. The physical dimensions, like weight and thickness, are identical for both versions. The phone incorporates only two prominent camera lenses, as opposed to a complete camera housing. You’ll find a USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a speaker grille at the bottom.
Display
The device has a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen with FHD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate, which is noticeably less than the current industry standard of 120Hz. The display is bright enough for outdoor use at 600 nits. The color quality is high, offering vivid colors and dark blacks, but the large bezels and especially the sizable chin could be minimized for a better display experience. It also supports HD content on OTT platforms, although it lacks HDR10 support from Netflix and Prime.
Cameras
The camera setup includes a 64MP main sensor, which is consistent with the 4G model. Additional sensors are a 2MP macro and a 2MP depth sensor. The camera performs well in daylight conditions, providing sharp images with vivid colors and fast focus. However, its low-light performance leaves room for improvement, showing issues such as soft focus and excessive processing. The macro and depth sensors produce low-resolution images that are best viewed on a phone screen.
Performance
The phone uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 698 SoC, which delivers moderate performance compared to other devices in the same price category. Its Antutu and Geekbench 5 scores are not exceptional but should suffice for regular tasks that don’t demand high GPU usage. The device also has an 8GB + 128GB configuration with the ability to expand virtual RAM by up to 5GB.
Audio and Connectivity
The phone includes a single bottom-firing speaker that is sufficiently loud. I wish the earpiece could also serve as a second speaker for stereo output. Currently, 5G is not available in India, but 4G performance on the Jio network met expectations.
Software
The phone uses ColorOS 12 based on Android 12, which I’ve covered in detail in my review of the standard F21 Pro.
Battery Life
The device houses a 4,500mAh battery, offering 5-6 hours of screen-on time with moderate usage like light gaming and social media browsing. Fast charging at 33W allows the battery to be fully charged in around 80 minutes.
Final verdict
The OPPO F21 Pro 5G may not meet the hardware specifications you’d expect from a phone priced over USD 359, but it certainly impresses with its appearance. The camera performs well in bright conditions, and the battery life is satisfactory. However, the absence of a high-refresh-rate screen and stereo speakers impacts the phone’s overall usability. If you frequently use your phone for gaming or tasks that require a lot of processing power, this model might not be the best fit. On the other hand, its strong design, Android 12 operating system, and competent photography capabilities in well-lit conditions make it a practical choice for many users.
Related Content:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: The Flip Phone We’ve Been Anticipating
- iPhone 15: Apple’s newest top-of-the-line iPhone series featuring USB-C, Dynamic Island, and additional features.
- Things to Check Before Purchasing a Used Mobile Phone in Pakistan
FAQ’s
1. What is the price of the OPPO F21 Pro 5G?
The OPPO F21 Pro 5G is priced at USD 359.
2. How does the 5G version differ from the 4G version?
The 5G and 4G versions differ in several aspects like chipset, screen refresh rate, camera specifications, and rear panel design.
3. What is the phone’s design like?
The OPPO F21 Pro 5G features a colorful polycarbonate back with a matte texture. It has a USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a speaker grille at the bottom.
4. Can you tell me more about the display?
The device has a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen with FHD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. It offers 600 nits of brightness, making it suitable for outdoor use.
5. How does the camera perform?
The phone has a 64MP main sensor and includes additional 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensors. It performs well in well-lit conditions but struggles in low light.
6. How does the phone perform in terms of speed and responsiveness?
The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 698 SoC, offering moderate performance in comparison to other devices in the same price range.
7. What are the audio and connectivity options?
The phone has a single bottom-firing speaker. As for connectivity, it supports 4G, and 5G is expected to be supported once it becomes available in India.
8. What is the device’s battery life?
The phone has a 4,500mAh battery, offering 5-6 hours of screen-on time with moderate use. It also supports 33W fast charging.
9. Which Android version does the phone run on?
The device uses ColorOS 12 based on Android 12.
11. What is the editor’s rating?
The editor gave the OPPO F21 Pro 5G a rating of 3.5 out of 5.
Pros:
- Attractive aesthetic
- Takes quality photos in well-lit conditions
- Battery lasts a reasonable amount of time
Cons:
- The quality of photos in low light could be improved.
- The device’s chipset could be better, especially considering the cost.
- The absence of stereo speakers is noticeable.