Smartphones are getting expensive and it’s pointless to expect 2019 pricing in 2022. The question is: Are smartphone features evolving fast enough to justify the new pricing structure? OPPO F21 Pro 5G is a good example of this dilemma. There is a bit of everything but is that enough? Going by the name, this is a 5G phone, which comes at the same time as the 4G version of this device with some minor differences.
Daily performance
Let’s deal with three of the biggest features of the phone. First is design, which is bold and unique with enough punch to shine among rival devices. Needless to say, it’s light, compact for its size and definitely has a unique colour in the form of Rainbow Spectrum.
There are no compromises with the quality of the AMOLED panel, which stands at 6.43 inches with FHD+ resolution but it has 60Hz screen refresh rate. Many people go through their phones for months with default settings, that is, without turning on some of the big features they are paying for (some of which have to be switched on manually). Even though 90Hz or 120Hz makes a difference on Android but 60Hz doesn’t make it too sluggish. ColorOS on the phone comes with enough customisation to keep users engaged and it is well optimised, so you won’t notice any issues with the display or animation.
Making the phone standout are the two ring lights around the lens, which make them look good and is a cool feature to have but how far it is going to be used is another story.
Having Snapdragon 695 gives the device some edge. It is an efficient processor, capable of handling daily tasks easily. You won’t see any sluggishness while working with everyday apps. When it comes to gaming, it works but after 40-45 minutes, you may not see the same level of sustained gameplay but OPPO didn’t design this to be a gaming phone.
Sample shot taken on the phone
What about camera? The main 64MP snapper is fantastic in this category, offering good contrast, HDR performance and you will come away with very good pictures. But video is restricted to 1080p, so you don’t get 4K here. Next, the 2MP each of bokeh and macro cameras. Bokeh shots are good and there is no room to complain about it but the macro sensor is as good or bad as on any Android phone. Plus, I am not sure why there is Android 11 out of the box.
Should you get it?
It all depends on whether you want a 5G phone. In case you can wait for a few months to upgrade, then so be it because you will have better clarity on the 5G network that’s coming up. There is good battery life here and excellent charging support in the form of a 33W charger. There is even a feature called Air Gestures, which gives you control over the screen without having to touch it (works well while using YouTube). As an alternative, do take a look at Reno 7, which is a good phone. Simplicity and good design go hand in hand on the OPPO F21 Pro 5G (Rs 26,999).