Oppo Find N5 Challenges Samsung in Foldable Phone Arena
Oppo has launched the Find N5, throwing down a challenge in the foldable phone market. This foldable device is remarkably thin at just 4.2mm when opened, innovating beyond just slimness. Oppo claims faster technology, longer battery life, improved cameras, and unexpected features, even hinting at Apple ecosystem integration. The question is whether Oppo can truly compete with Samsung, the current leader in foldable phones. This comparison pitches the Oppo Find N5 against Samsung's best-selling foldables to assess the potential for a market shift.
Oppo's Flicking Index: Strong Start for Find N5
Oppo gains an early advantage with the unboxing experience. The Find N5 package includes a USB-A to C cable, an 80W charging brick, and a high-end lightweight case. This generous inclusion contrasts with Samsung’s minimal offerings. Oppo provides real added value immediately. The pre-installed screen protector further emphasizes user comfort.
Build Quality and Design: Oppo Takes the Lead
Oppo surpasses Samsung in build quality. Both phones utilize durable custom aluminum alloy frames and hinges that smoothly hold positions. However, the Find N5's front display is fortified with ceramics for structural strength. Oppo's waterproofing also exceeds Samsung's, handling high-pressure jets and extreme temperatures better. The Find N5 is approximately 30% thinner and 10 grams lighter, marking an impressive durability achievement.
Oppo has also refined the crease, making it 10% narrower and 50% shallower than its previous generation. This improvement is noticeable in everyday use compared to Samsung's more visible crease. The Find N5 delivers a superior first-use experience in this aspect. Minor drawbacks include the fiber back material which feels slightly plastic and the lack of a formal dust resistance rating.
Battery and Charge: Oppo is the Clear Winner
The Oppo Find N5 uses a state-of-the-art silicon-carbon battery, offering higher energy density than lithium-ion. This allows the Find N5 to pack a 5,600mAh battery compared to Samsung's 4,400mAh within a smaller form factor. In typical daily use, the Oppo Find N5 dramatically outperforms Samsung in battery life. Charging speeds further extend Oppo's lead. The Find N5 charges fully in approximately 50 minutes, while Samsung takes around 90 minutes. Oppo also includes 50W wireless charging, significantly faster than Samsung's 15W.
Ultimate Display Quality: Oppo Steals Samsung’s Thunder
While Samsung is recognized for its displays, Oppo has arguably surpassed them in key areas for foldables. The Oppo Find N5 features a larger, higher-resolution inner display that is virtually crease-less. Crucially, Oppo incorporates a similar anti-reflection screen coating on the inner display as Samsung's flagship S series, a feature absent in Samsung foldables. This enhances readability in various lighting conditions. The cover screen on the Find N5 is also best-in-class, resembling a conventional smartphone form factor, a gap Samsung is narrowing. While Samsung panels might be slightly brighter outdoors, Oppo’s overall screen package provides a better user experience.
Performance: Oppo Goes Berserk With Next-Gen Horsepower
The Oppo Find N5 utilizes Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, outperforming the previous year's processor in Samsung's flagship foldable. Stress tests reveal a strong performance lead for the Find N5, starting 35% faster and widening to 50% over extended use. Even after repeated tests, Oppo maintains a 40% performance advantage. This speed advantage is evident in demanding tasks like app launching and image processing. The Find N5 offers a measurably snappier and more responsive experience where it matters.
Software and Multitasking: Oppo Raises the Bar
Oppo excels in multitasking. The Find N5 allows simultaneous use of multiple apps in optimal aspect ratios. File Dock offers an intuitive system for content sharing. Oppo O Plus Connect facilitates straightforward file transfers to iPhones. However, software quirks exist. App recommendations and the Oppo app market are less refined than Samsung's One UI. Samsung's mature ecosystem and update longevity provide an advantage outside of China.
Some Promising but Still Developing AI Capabilities
Oppo integrates AI features like image enhancement and AI Studio for creative image generation. AI writing capabilities are also included, generating message responses and Instagram captions. However, the practical applications of these AI features can feel situational and less consistently reliable than Samsung's more mature AI offerings. Link Boost, intended to improve network signal, lacks consistent real-world benefit compared to Samsung.
Speakers: Thinness Has a Price
The thinner design of the Oppo Find N5 impacts speaker performance. While adequate, the audio quality lacks the deep, satisfying experience of Samsung's foldables. This is a common trade-off for achieving a slender form factor.
Cameras: A Compromise for Flatter Design
To achieve its thin profile, Oppo compromised on the Find N5's camera system. The primary camera is decent, but Samsung often produces more true-to-life and aesthetically pleasing colors. Oppo's ultrawide camera is weaker, featuring an 8-megapixel sensor compared to Samsung's 12-megapixel. Oppo does have a superior internal selfie camera and better zoom capabilities with a 50-megapixel telephoto lens used effectively for macro photography. Samsung's portrait mode remains unmatched. Overall, camera performance is a draw, with Oppo having a more fluid camera app but debatable image quality superiority.
Verdict: Oppo is Making a Bold Move
In this comparison, the Oppo Find N5 scores 6.5 points, while Samsung scores 3.5. Real-world experience supports this conclusion. Achieving faster performance, better battery life, and quicker charging in a slimmer body is significant. The Oppo Find N5 is compelling for users prioritizing cutting-edge design, battery endurance, and raw performance. Samsung retains advantages in software sophistication and ecosystem integration. While not a complete dominance, the Oppo Find N5 represents a major advancement in foldable technology and a serious challenge to Samsung's leadership as foldables continue to improve.
