Redmi Note 13 5G : In today’s smartphone market, the mid-range segment has become increasingly competitive, with manufacturers constantly pushing to deliver more value at accessible price points.

The OPPO A79 5G represents the Chinese manufacturer’s effort to carve out its niche in this crowded space. Released in October 2023, this device attempts to balance performance, camera capabilities, and battery life without breaking the bank.

But does it deliver enough to stand out from the crowd? Let’s find out.

Design and Build: Practical Aesthetics

First impressions matter, and the OPPO A79 5G makes a decent one. While not revolutionary in its design language, the device offers a clean, modern look that feels more premium than its price tag might suggest.

Available in two colorways – Mystery Black and the more eye-catching Glowing Green (also called “Glowing Feather” in some markets) – the latter option features a textured back that creates an interesting light-catching effect reminiscent of a feather.

The phone measures 76 x 165.6 x 7.99mm and weighs 193g, placing it firmly in the territory of larger smartphones.

The 6.72-inch display dominates the front, surrounded by reasonably slim bezels with a slightly more pronounced chin.

The squared camera module on the rear houses the dual-lens setup without creating an excessive bump, allowing the phone to rest relatively flat when placed on a surface.

Build quality feels solid despite the plastic back and frame. OPPO has included IPX4 splash resistance, providing some protection against light water exposure – a welcome addition in this price bracket.

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button is both responsive and reliable, offering convenient security without the inconsistency sometimes found with in-display sensors at this price point.

Display: Bright but Conventional

The 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel offers a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate. In an era where AMOLED displays are increasingly becoming standard even in mid-range devices, OPPO’s choice of LCD technology might disappoint some potential buyers.

However, this particular implementation is quite competent.

OPPO markets this as a “Sunlight Display,” capable of boosting brightness to around 680 nits when needed, making it usable even in direct sunlight. Colors are reasonably accurate, covering close to 100% of the sRGB gamut, though they lack the vibrancy and depth that AMOLED panels provide.

The 90Hz refresh rate strikes a balance between smoothness and battery efficiency, providing noticeably more fluid scrolling than standard 60Hz displays without the power demands of 120Hz panels.

Protected by Panda Glass, the display offers adequate scratch resistance for day-to-day use, though it falls short of the protection provided by Corning’s Gorilla Glass found on some competitors.

For media consumption and everyday tasks, the display performs admirably, even if it doesn’t stand out in the increasingly AMOLED-dominated landscape.

Performance: Sufficient for Most Needs

Under the hood, the OPPO A79 5G runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 6020 processor built on a 7nm process. This octa-core chipset features two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.

In practical terms, the A79 5G delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and video streaming. The 8GB of RAM helps with multitasking, and OPPO’s RAM expansion technology can borrow up to 8GB from storage when needed, though real-world benefits are debatable.

Where limitations become apparent is in demanding applications and gaming.

While casual games run without issue, titles like PUBG Mobile or Asphalt 9 require reduced graphics settings to maintain playable frame rates. For the majority of users who don’t push their phones to the limit, however, the A79 5G’s performance will prove perfectly adequate.

Running ColorOS 13.1 based on Android 13, the software experience is feature-rich if somewhat bloated out of the box.

OPPO promises two years of Android updates and three years of security patches – respectable if not class-leading for this segment.

Camera: Surprisingly Capable Main Shooter

The camera system consists of a 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP depth sensor, complemented by an 8MP selfie camera.

While this setup lacks the versatility of ultrawide or telephoto lenses found on some competitors, the main camera performs admirably in good lighting.

Using Samsung’s JN1 sensor, the primary camera captures detailed photos with accurate colors and good dynamic range when shooting in favorable conditions.

The AI scene enhancement feature, when enabled, boosts colors and contrast for more vivid, social media-ready shots, though purists may prefer the more natural look with this feature disabled.

Low-light performance is adequate though not exceptional. The dedicated night mode helps salvage shots in dimly lit environments, but noise becomes more apparent and details soften considerably.

The 2MP depth sensor assists with portrait mode shots, creating reasonably convincing background blur for casual portraits.

The 8MP selfie camera delivers acceptable results in good lighting, though it struggles in challenging lighting conditions.

Video capabilities max out at 1080p/30fps from both front and rear cameras – standard for this price range but lacking the 4K options some competitors offer.

For casual photography and social media content, the A79 5G’s cameras perform well above what its modest specifications might suggest, particularly the main sensor in favorable lighting.

Battery Life: Endurance Champion

Battery life stands as one of the A79 5G’s strongest attributes. The 5000mAh battery, combined with the efficient processor and LCD display, delivers exceptional endurance.

Under typical usage, the phone easily lasts a full day with capacity to spare, and lighter users might even stretch to two days between charges.

When recharging is necessary, the included 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging brings the battery from empty to around 50% in 30 minutes and to full in approximately 74 minutes.

While not the fastest charging solution available, it’s quick enough to mitigate battery anxiety for most users.

OPPO has also included power-saving features like Super Power Saving Mode and Ultimate Standby at Night Mode to extend battery life in critical situations.

For users who prioritize longevity over raw performance, the A79 5G’s battery life represents a compelling selling point.

Redmi Note 13 5G Conclusion: Balanced Compromises

Priced at around $370 USD (₹19,999 in India, A$369 in Australia), the OPPO A79 5G occupies a competitive space in the mid-range market.

It makes calculated compromises – opting for an LCD panel instead of AMOLED, using a modest processor rather than a powerhouse chipset, and implementing a basic dual-camera system rather than a more versatile array.

These trade-offs allow OPPO to focus on delivering excellent battery life, surprisingly good main camera performance, and reliable everyday performance.

The addition of stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and splash resistance rounds out a package that, while not revolutionary, offers good value for money.

For users who prioritize display quality above all else or need gaming-grade performance, better options exist.

But for those seeking a reliable daily driver with exceptional battery life, a capable main camera, and smooth everyday performance, the OPPO A79 5G represents a balanced choice in the increasingly crowded mid-range segment.