OPPO has recently introduced its latest smartphone, the OPPO A18, carving itself another share of the already saturated market. It is interesting to observe some strategic decisions made by OPPO, particularly considering that it is a relatively low-cost device. On the flip side of the same coin, this smartphone is not without its quirks and surprises.
Here are a few things that I think are worth mentioning during my time using the OPPO A18.
OPPO A18 REVIEW – UNBOXING
It’s refreshing to see OPPO maintaining the tradition of including a wall charger in the OPPO A18 package. This means users can jump right into using it without the need to purchase additional accessories.
The sim tray deserves a mention, sporting what seems like two slots for nano SIM cards and a dedicated slot for a microSD card, supporting storage expansion up to a whopping 1TB (microSD card to be purchased separately).
OPPO A18 REVIEW – SPECES & FIRST IMPRESSIONS
OPPO A18 comes with IPX4 water resistance and IP5X dust resistance. It has undergone rigorous testing, including 20,000 USB plug-in stress tests, 150,000 volume button stress tests, and an impressive 500,000 power button stress tests.
OPPO A18 boasts a substantial 5000mAh large battery, a key contributor to the phone’s impressive longevity. During testing, although with sparse usage, it was pleasant to discover that it could last for more than a week on a single charge
OPPO A18 brings in the idea of extended RAM, boasting up to 4GB, achieved through software optimisation instead of hardware upgrades. However, gauging the actual impact of this enhancement might not be straightforward, making it challenging to determine the significance of this feature.
It’s worth noting that the device operates on 4G connectivity.
The power button also doubles as a rapid fire side fingerprint unlock function, allowing you to get straight into the on-screen action.
On the visual front, the phone showcases a vibrant 90Hz Sunlight Display, providing an exceptional viewing experience with up to 720 nits brightness which consumes lower power compared to its predecessor. Shifting to the audio front, the Ultra Volume Mode introduces outstanding audio clarity, allowing for an output increase of up to 300%. This combination of visual and auditory enhancements contributes to an overall impressive multimedia experience on the device.
OPPO A18 REVIEW – OPERATING SYSTEM & SOFTWARE FEATURES
OPPO A18 runs on ColorOS 13.1, based on Android. The user experience has a slight resemblance to iOS, particularly when browsing the Settings page. As a long-time iPhone user, I find a familiar level of intuitiveness that adds a touch of comfort to the OPPO A18’s interface.
One seemingly straightforward yet noteworthy feature is the Gestures & Motions settings. Here, you can toggle pre-set gestures and motions, like the three-finger swipe down or hold to take screenshots – a functionality some other operating systems still depend on physical buttons to achieve. Additionally, motion like raising the phone to wake the screen are also available on this page.
It’s worth mentioning that there’s another section dedicated to gestures under System Navigation for moving between pages or apps. It would be more intuitive if these features were consolidated under a single section.
The OPPO A18 is equipped with a practical power-saving mode that automatically prompts you to activate when the device’s battery level drops below 20%.
A standout feature of ColorOS 13.1 is the Auto Pixelate. Utilising an on-device algorithm model, it automatically recognises and pixelates profile photos and names in chat screenshots with a single tap, ensuring a swift and worry-free sharing experience.
The Lock Screen Magazine features adds a touch of personalisation, showcasing vibrant images and useful information.
OPPO A18 REVIEW – TAKING PICTURES AND VIDEOS
In the realm of photography, OPPO A18 boasts some impressive features. The AI Portrait Retouching functionality enhances every portrait, providing an illuminating touch to your pictures. Additionally, the Portrait Bokeh feature elevates subjects to the spotlight, using Portrait Mode to centre individuals in the frame for a visually enhanced result.
Subtle nods to iOS are again found in Camera app’s UI, but it offers more functionality. A couple of features that I find useful are:
- The “Pro” camera mode: it lets you adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, white balance, auto-focus, and EV (light exposure) — it’s akin to ‘editing’ the photo before taking it.
- The “Fill light” flash mode: it’s like having your smartphone torch on when taking pictures or videos. Gone are the days where you need to ask a friend to assist you with their smartphone torch while taking shots.
OPPO A18 REVIEW – ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENTS
One thing that caught my attention was the presence of pre-installed apps from relatively well-known companies like Temu and Booking.com. It felt a bit off, but I could tolerate it.
However, when I returned to the phone after a brief moment, the excitement of exploring new features with ColorOS was slightly dampened by the unexpected influx of bloatware. Games like Bubble Pop!, Coffee Run 3D, WoW, Dice Dreams, June’s Journey, Royal Match, among others, made an unwarranted appearance on the home screen, causing quite an annoyance as I was expecting a clean out-of-the-box experience.
Then there is a bit of a lag observed, especially when I was navigating the Settings section. During searches for items within Settings, clicking on a result and then going back may lead to a ‘no results’ page. I have to do the search again to get the same results.
OPPO A18 REVIEW CONCLUSION
Considering its price point, OPPO A18 makes quite an impressive statement. The hardware choices and inclusions, coupled with its software features, might lead one to mistakenly categorise it as a mid-to-high-end phone.
The phone seems determined to maximize its offerings within its price range, but the absence of 5G connectivity could pose a challenge for its long-term relevance.
While the software choices, for the most part, are commendable, the experience is somewhat tarnished by the intrusive bloatware. It somehow feels like a trade-off, requiring users to tolerate unnecessary pre-installed applications in exchange for the other positive aspects of the phone. Thankfully, these apps can be uninstalled easily as soon as you see them on screen.
In summary, OPPO A18 is a smartphone that boasts both distinct strengths and quirks, making it an appealing option for users seeking a balance between functionality and unique features. Oppo A18 comes in Glowing Blue and Glowing Black, and retails for A$219.
Disclosure: OPPO A18 review unit was supplied for reviewing
