Everyone likes a good deal. There is a sizeable crowd that wants to use a phone for a couple of years (if not less!) before trading it in for the latest. No doubt, bargain devices come with some trade-offs but at the same time, each year manufacturers are packing more high-end features into budget phones. The question is: How often the element of low cost throws a spanner in everyday usage? Please don’t expect a Maruti Suzuki Dzire to perform like a Mercedes-Benz A-Class. We had the OPPO A74 5G for a couple of weeks and here’s what we got out of it.

Holding together the generic design is the LTPS panel with 2,400x1,080 resolution (FHD+) and refresh rate of 90Hz. The 6.5-inch screen is bright, producing punchy colours and offering contrast-y frames, which is good for watching videos while the speaker produces a respectable soundscape with clear highs and mids. To get the best out of the audio set up, use a wired headphone.

On to the camera, what you get is a 48MP main shooter and 2MP each of macro and mono snappers. What we really liked about the camera is the depth in the photos and it helps that the colours are slightly punchy, allowing them a place on social media. There is enough dynamic range and the shutter speed doesn’t fail. However good the main camera, one can feel the absence of an ultra-wide camera. There is a night mode, which offers a slight boost to the pictures under uneven lighting. Use the ‘extra HD’ for extra sharpness.

Sample shot taken on OPPO A74 5G The Telegraph Picture

What’s more interesting is the software. Out of the box, the phone supports Android 11 and runs on ColorOS 11.1, which allows a decent amount of customisation. For example, you not only get a dark mode but there are three levels of it. The same goes for the always-on feature. In way of bloatware, there is some of it but most of the unwanted apps can be deleted.

Powering the device is Snapdragon 480 5G. The chip is enough to keep you moving from one app to another without lags and it will also allow you to play tap-tap games but when it comes to heavy-hitters, you will need to set graphics to medium, which is a fair ask.

As for 5G, well, it’s something even Realme is pushing in India. Frankly, don’t purchase a phone just for 5G in 2021. Going by the delay in rolling out 5G in India, chances of experiencing it before late 2022 are slim. Further, travel plans will remain up in the air until vaccination speed gathers steam in India, so you won’t get to enjoy 5G outside India.

Should you buy it?

In case you are already using an OPPO phone and looking for an upgrade, yes, it’s a good choice. At the same time, do take a look at Samsung Galaxy A32 or even Realme 8 Pro, both very capable devices. The battery is strong enough to last you more than a day while the screen can keep you engaged for hours while streaming. Overall, OPPO A74 5G manages to bob and weave in the overcrowded budget segment.

Device: OPPO A74 5G

Price: Rs 17,990

High notes

• The screen offers good contrast and colours that pop

• Enough customisation in the software

• Good battery life

Muffled notes

• No ultra-wide camera