It’s no secret that with tech evolving at its current pace, new and popular features once exclusive to flagship mobile handsets, would eventually make their way down to both mid-range and entry level options. While the OPPO A78 5G lacks in certain areas, it still manages to compete strongly with certain mid-range offerings, thanks to the smooth 90Hz display, 50MP AI-powered main camera, to 33W SUPERVOOC charging.
Design
The OPPO A78 5G’s design is somewhat passable, akin to previous A series models we have seen before. I usually find that the design and build quality accounts for the entry-level price at times, which is admittedly an understandable choice. Available in either Glowing Black and Glowing Blue, the handset features a polished plastic back and sides, with some nice metallic rings around each of the back cameras. The lenses themselves certainly stand out from the pack, even if the “Innovative AI Camera” text below feels a little tacky.
Around the front, the 6.56-inch display feels par for the course, with a tear drop front-facing camera. The lower chin still feels a little big, but certainly smaller than other entry-level handsets I’ve reviewed before. The OPPO A78 5G does its best to tie-in certain features to its somewhat standard design, with fingerprint unlocking capabilities embedded into the lock button.
While most entry-level handsets feel a little lighter as a result of the build quality, this weighs in at only 188g. To put that into perspective, the iPhone 14 Pro Max weighs a whopping 240g. Flagship qualities aside, it’s simply nice to hold something that feels a little more comfortable in the hands, particularly after longer periods of use.
Performance
The OPPO A78 5G features an 8 core MediaTek 6833 processor. While that combination of letters and words might not mean anything to the casual user, it’s worth noting that it’s more than suited to most everyday activities. Social media browsing and light gaming work well, even if the included 4GB RAM can cause things to chug a little, particularly when a handful of apps are open in the background. When you’re simply wanting to access the phone, various security features from fingerprint access and facial recognition work really well, with the latter proving to be almost as quick as Apple’s Face ID in most situations.
I tend to use Call of Duty: Mobile as the benchmark for gaming, which might seem a little unfair at first; but hold out here, because I feel this is important. Yes, Call of Duty: Mobile will run on this. That being said, things will heat up relatively quickly, and fall flat occasionally, particularly when background apps are open. But it’s all about highlighting the end user here, as most gamers looking to invest in the mobile gaming space would usually look elsewhere in the first place.
This handset also comes loaded with the latest version of ColourOS 13, OPPO’s answer to Android 13, along with the latest security updates. While things can get a little crowded at times, the newer drop down menu provides a bunch of adjustable settings and options to add more, making your experience feel that much more intuitive, should you wish to tailor it. Beyond that, most OPPO users will feel at home, even with this fresh coat of paint.
The included dual stereo speakers pack much more of a punch than the single bottom speaker, but while the overall experience provides the volume, it lacks bass at times, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re streaming shows and movies on the go. The A78 5G also comes with an IPX4 rating, making it resistant to most spills and brief water exposure.
Display
Beyond this point, OPPO begins to show signs of confidence and clarity. The 90Hz 720p HD screen is adequate, and while I’m a sucker for the hole-punch camera as opposed to the teardrop, the 90Hz display more than makes up for this design choice with some sooth visuals. A 90Hz refresh rate is certainly better than the expected 60Hz at this price range, a welcome addition given it’s now knocking on the doors of more prominent midrange phones like the Samsung A series and even the Google Pixel 6a.
The only true downside to this display, other than it’s 720p resolution is its peak brightness. While the OPPO A78 5G provides around 480 nits of brightness, it peaks under direct sunlight at 600 nits, making it a little hard to read through texts and scroll through social media on sunnier days.
Camera
The A78 5G’s camera once again begins to knock on that mid-range door. The Main camera: 50MP AI-assisted sensor and accompanying 2MP depth camera do a great job at presenting some well-rounded and vibrant shots. The 50MP sensor works great when working on it’s own. It’s only when the 2MP depth lens comes into play that shots tend to suffer. It’s nothing terrible, and even though the A78 5G allows up to 10X zoom, the integrated AI tends to overwork shots, leaving them feeling grainy and at times oversaturated.
But make no mistake, that 50MP main sensor is certainly capable of capturing some stunning shots for any phone in this price range, even going as far as to produce some impressive low light shots, where I had mistakenly assumed this would falter. Being able to shoot with portrait and panoramic options in mind is also a nice touch.
The 8MP front-facing camera does the job, but stumbles in certain places. While AI does a great job at smoothing facial features in a way that still feels natural, low light shots are a little hit and miss. I can certainly rely on the camera to grab the moment, but most of those low light shots feel a little muddy as a result. But during the day, I rarely found myself taking more than a shot or two, because I was unhappy with the results.
Both front and rear camera video recording provides 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 30fps. I’m a little disappointed that the 720p option doesn’t cater for 60fps recording, making this a relatively pointless option, unless you’re trying to save on storage. That being said, 720p SLO-MO recording does support 120fps, which is admittedly a nice inclusion.
Battery
I can certainly appreciate the 5,000 mAh battery for its all-day usage. Unless you’re a heavy gamer, you’ll more than likely find yourself using the OPPO A78 5G well into the night. I found myself ending most nights with around 30% of juice left in the tank.
Should you run out of charge, you’ll be up and running in no time thanks to 33W SUPERVOOC USB-C charging. The provided charging brick brings this bad boy from 0-100% in just 67 minutes. It never ceases to amaze, and I’m a total sucker for it whenever it’s included, beating out most options for battery life and charging alone, particularly at this price point.
Verdict & Value
The OPPO A78 5G certainly packs a punch for the $359 price tag. While the MediaTek 6833 processor and 2MP depth camera hold it back at times, the 90Hz display, 50MP main camera, 33W SUPERVOOC charging and lightweight design make this an easy winner for those dabbling in the entry-level market. It’s always tricky to review these handsets, as they’re usually lacking something important. But to the everyday user, the A78 5G draws ever-closer into that mid-range alternative, given its value for money.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Smooth 90Hz display; Solid 50MP main camera; 33W SUPERVOOC charging
Lowlights: 2MP main camera is inconsistent; MediaTek 6833 processor doesn’t like multiple background apps running at once
Manufacturer: OPPO
Price: A$359
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by OPPO.
