OPPO has added two impressive contenders to its A-series smartphone lineup with the introduction of the OPPO A5i and the slightly more powerful A5i Pro. These mid-range devices aim to deliver solid 4G performance, exceptional battery life, and durable design—all while keeping the pricing accessible. Whether you’re a student, traveler, or everyday user looking for a reliable device that doesn’t break the bank, the A5i series offers plenty to get excited about.
What’s New in the OPPO A5i Series?
Both the OPPO A5i and A5i Pro are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 chipset, a capable processor designed for reliable everyday performance. It features Kryo 260 cores in a balanced setup—four high-performance cores for tasks like gaming and streaming, and four efficiency cores for regular browsing and app usage. The Adreno 610 GPU ensures a decent graphic experience, especially for casual gaming and media playback.
The phones are equipped with a 6.67-inch HD+ IPS LCD display, which offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals. With a refresh rate of 90Hz and a touch sampling rate of 180Hz, users can enjoy smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. Additionally, the display can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits, making it comfortable to view even under bright sunlight.
Battery and Charging: Built for Power Users
Battery life is a standout feature for both devices in the A5i lineup. The standard A5i comes with a substantial 5,100 mAh battery, which can easily last through an entire day of moderate to heavy usage. Whether you’re streaming videos, navigating on GPS, or playing mobile games, this phone is built to last.
The A5i Pro, however, takes battery life to another level with a massive 6,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery. Silicon-carbon cells are more efficient than traditional lithium-ion batteries, offering better longevity and heat management. This makes the A5i Pro an excellent choice for power users who need their phone to keep up with them.
Both devices support 45W SuperVOOC fast charging via USB Type-C. That means you can charge up from 0 to 100% in just under an hour—ideal for people always on the move who don’t want to wait around for their phone to charge.
Design and Durability: Style That Lasts
The A5i and A5i Pro are designed with durability in mind, sporting IP ratings for dust and water resistance. The A5i comes with an IP54 rating, making it resistant to light splashes and dust. The A5i Pro improves on this with an IP65 rating, offering stronger protection against dust ingress and water jets, making it a better companion for outdoor use or tough conditions.
Both models are built to meet military-grade durability standards (MIL-STD-810H), ensuring they can withstand minor drops and rough handling. Despite their toughness, the phones remain lightweight and easy to carry, with a slim profile of about 7.99 mm and a weight of approximately 193 grams.
In terms of style, the A5i is available in eye-catching colors like Nebula Red and Starry Purple, while the A5i Pro is offered in a sleek Midnight Purple. These finishes add a premium touch to devices that are otherwise affordable and functional.
Cameras: Basic vs. Bold
Camera setups on the A5i series vary between the two models. The standard A5i offers a single 8 MP rear camera accompanied by a 5 MP front camera. These cameras are capable of capturing decent photos in well-lit environments and include AI-based enhancements for portraits, along with HDR support and an LED flash.
The A5i Pro ups the ante significantly. It boasts a 50 MP primary rear camera, supported by an additional secondary sensor, and includes a ring-light LED designed for better selfies and low-light photography. While not meant for professional photography, the Pro variant provides a far better imaging experience for everyday social media use, casual portrait shots, and video recording.
Both phones come with a 5 MP selfie camera that includes AI beautification features and HDR support, ensuring selfies are social-media-ready right out of the camera.
Performance and Software: Smooth and Efficient
Both models run on Android 15, layered with OPPO’s latest ColorOS 15. This custom UI offers smooth animations, intuitive app navigation, and useful features like app cloners, smart sidebar, and gesture-based controls.
The Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 chipset delivers adequate performance for typical daily tasks. Users can browse the web, stream videos, and use social media apps without experiencing lags or overheating. Though not intended for high-end gaming, the chipset can handle lighter games comfortably.
The A5i is available in 4GB and 6GB RAM variants, with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. The A5i Pro offers more memory with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, paired with 128GB of internal storage. Both phones support microSD card expansion, allowing users to add more space for photos, videos, and apps.
A noteworthy addition is the RAM expansion feature, which turns unused storage into virtual RAM. This boosts multitasking performance, letting users switch between apps more smoothly—even on the lower RAM variants.
Connectivity and Extras
The A5i and A5i Pro come with standard connectivity features including dual-SIM support, LTE, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 5, and USB-C with OTG. The Pro model includes extra perks like NFC for contactless payments and an IR blaster for controlling home appliances like TVs and ACs—features rarely found in this price range.
For added convenience, both phones feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for quick and secure unlocking. They also include face unlock and a unique “Turbo Torch” feature for better flashlight performance when using the front camera in low-light conditions.
Pricing and Availability
The OPPO A5i Pro was officially launched in the Philippines and will be available starting June 20. It is priced competitively, making it a strong choice for buyers looking for performance and battery life without entering the premium segment.
The regular A5i is listed on OPPO’s official websites globally, though its regional availability and pricing may vary. Given OPPO’s history of launching A-series devices in Southeast Asian markets before expanding to other regions, a wider rollout is expected soon.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | OPPO A5i | OPPO A5i Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 | Same with slightly higher clock |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB | 8GB / 12GB |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB + microSD | 128GB + microSD |
| Rear Camera | 8 MP | 50 MP + secondary + ring LED |
| Front Camera | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Battery | 5,100 mAh | 6,000 mAh (Silicon-Carbon) |
| Charging | 45W SuperVOOC | 45W SuperVOOC |
| Display | 6.67” HD+ 90Hz | Same |
| Durability | IP54, MIL-STD-810H | IP65, MIL-STD-810H |
| Extras | 3.5mm jack | NFC, IR, No 3.5mm jack |
Who Should Buy?
Choose the OPPO A5i if:
- You need a durable, everyday smartphone at an affordable price.
- You value strong battery life and fast charging without the need for advanced features.
- You prefer having a 3.5mm headphone jack and don’t need NFC or IR blaster.
Choose the OPPO A5i Pro if:
- You want a more powerful device with better camera performance.
- You need extra RAM and storage for multitasking or heavy app use.
- You’ll benefit from NFC and IR support in daily tasks.
Final Verdict
The OPPO A5i and A5i Pro are compelling choices in the mid-range 4G smartphone space. They offer excellent battery life, durable build quality, and decent overall performance at budget-friendly prices. While the A5i is ideal for users who want a dependable daily driver, the A5i Pro is better suited for those looking for more power, better camera capabilities, and added features like NFC and IR support. OPPO has once again managed to strike a strong balance between price and performance, making the A5i series a solid pick for budget-conscious buyers. OPPO A51 Official site
