In a market saturated with smartphones, manufacturers are increasingly adopting a two-pronged approach, releasing both 4G and 5G variants of their models. This strategy allows for price segmentation, with the 4G versions often offering slightly better hardware at a lower cost. Oppo’s F21 Pro is a prime example of this trend. While the 5G variant makes headlines with its advanced connectivity, the 4G F21 Pro boasts a unique design and a compelling set of features, aiming to capture the attention of those seeking a visually appealing device without breaking the bank. Let’s delve into the details of this intriguing smartphone and see if its design charm can outweigh its compromises in hardware.
Oppo F21 Pro: A Bold Design Statement
The Oppo F21 Pro immediately sets itself apart with its Sunset Orange finish, featuring a faux-leather texture that feels premium and distinctly different from the usual glossy or matte glass finishes. This textured back panel is not only aesthetically pleasing but also remarkably practical, as it resists fingerprints and scratches, guaranteeing a pristine look for an extended period. The soft gold accents on the frame and camera module add to the phone’s overall elegance, creating a visually striking contrast.
Despite boasting a substantial 6.4-inch AMOLED display, the F21 Pro manages to be incredibly lightweight, weighing in at a mere 175g. This lightweight design, coupled with the flattened frame, ensures comfortable one-handed usage, making it a user-friendly choice. The bottom of the phone houses a headphone jack, speaker, and a USB Type-C port, although unfortunately, it lacks the luxury of stereo speakers.
A Vivid Visual Experience
The 6.4-inch AMOLED display of the Oppo F21 Pro is a visual delight. It delivers stunning clarity with a full-HD+ resolution, boasts vibrant color saturation, and supports HDR for richer and more immersive content viewing. The 90Hz refresh rate adds an extra layer of smoothness to the user interface, resulting in a fluid and responsive experience. A small hole-punch cutout in the upper left corner houses the selfie camera, and the display’s gently curved bezels enhance the comfort and ease of gesture-based navigation. The in-display fingerprint sensor offers a convenient and secure unlocking experience.
Performance: A Mixed Bag
The Oppo F21 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, a chipset we’ve seen in various smartphones, including budget offerings like the Realme 9i. While it’s not the most powerful chip available, it’s proven to be capable enough for everyday tasks and general use. The phone comes in a single configuration with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, priced at Rs. 22,999.
The 4,500mAh battery supports 33W SuperVOOC fast charging, promising quick charge times. Initial impressions suggest that the phone delivers fluid performance with swift app loading and a responsive user interface. The full review will offer further insights into the phone’s gaming capabilities and real-world performance.
ColorOS 12.1: A Familiar Experience with Tweaks
The Oppo F21 Pro runs on ColorOS 12.1, which is based on Android 12. While ColorOS 12.1 brings slight optimizations to icons and animations, it largely maintains its recognizable interface. It retains a plethora of preinstalled apps, which might be considered bloatware by some users.
A Stellar Selfie Camera
One of the standout features of the F21 Pro is its selfie camera. It leverages the same 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 sensor found in the more expensive Oppo Reno 7 Pro 5G. This sensor incorporates white pixels to capture more light, leading to exceptional low-light selfie performance. Essentially, the F21 Pro promises to deliver selfie quality comparable to the lauded Reno 7 Pro 5G, which is an impressive feat for a phone in this price range.
Camera: A Missed Opportunity
The rear camera setup of the Oppo F21 Pro presents a rather puzzling scenario. While the main 64-megapixel camera seems competent, the absence of an ultra-wide camera is a significant drawback, especially considering its presence in competitor models. This omission extends to the 5G variant of the phone, making it a concerning trend.
The other two cameras are a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 2-megapixel "micro lens" similar to the one on the Realme GT 2 Pro. This micro lens enables extreme close-up shots through the camera app’s "Microscope" mode, offering a unique photography experience. However, the lack of an ultra-wide camera severely limits the versatility of the rear camera setup.
Orbit Light: A Borrowed Feature
The Oppo F21 Pro incorporates the "Orbit Light," a feature borrowed from the Reno 7 Pro 5G. This ring of light surrounds one of the rear camera lenses, offering subtle illumination for notifications and charging. While the light is functional and visually appealing, its white color is non-customizable, unlike the blue light on the Reno 7 Pro 5G.
Conclusion: A Striking Design with Potential Pitfalls
The Oppo F21 Pro undoubtedly stands out with its impressive design and appealing Sunset Orange finish. Its lightweight design and comfortable grip enhance the user experience. Furthermore, the use of the Sony IMX709 sensor for the selfie camera promises excellent image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. However, the lack of an ultra-wide camera and the reliance on a Snapdragon 680 SoC might raise concerns among those seeking a well-rounded device.
The phone faces stiff competition in the sub-Rs. 25,000 price range. 5G-enabled options like the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G and Realme 9 Pro+ 5G, along with strong 4G contenders such as the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion, offer compelling alternatives.
Ultimately, the F21 Pro’s success hinges on whether its captivating design and powerful selfie camera are enough to entice buyers despite its compromises in hardware. While it’s a promising phone with a unique aesthetic, only a comprehensive review can determine whether it truly surpasses the competition.
