The Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G is a tempting proposition for those seeking a budget-friendly 5G smartphone in India. Its slim design, featherweight feel, and rapid charging capabilities certainly make it stand out. However, with a price tag nearing Rs. 26,000, it faces stiff competition from established players like the OnePlus Nord and similarly priced rivals such as the Xiaomi Mi 10i and Realme X7 5G. Does the Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G offer enough to justify its price point, or is it merely a slightly improved iteration of its predecessor? Let’s delve into the details to uncover the truth.
Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G Design: A Lightweight Champion
Oppo has truly outdone itself in crafting a remarkably thin and light smartphone. Weighing only 173g and measuring a mere 7.8mm in thickness, the F19 Pro+ 5G feels surprisingly unburdened in your hand, defying expectations for a phone equipped with a battery and other components.
The design aesthetic blends a glossy chrome finish on the plastic frame with a frosted matte back panel. The silver unit we reviewed did attract fingerprints, but they weren’t overly noticeable. Ports and buttons are strategically placed for optimal ergonomics, and Oppo has thoughtfully included a headphone jack on this model. The triple-slot tray allows for dual Nano-SIMs and a microSD card, offering flexibility in connectivity and storage.
The 6.4-inch AMOLED display boasts Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for scratch protection, delivering sharp visuals and punchy colors. However, it falls short with a 60Hz refresh rate, a missed opportunity at this price point, considering the fluidity offered by higher refresh rates. The in-display fingerprint sensor proves reliable and responsive.
Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G Specifications & Software: Familiar Hardware, Feature-Rich Software
Oppo has opted for the MediaTek Dimensity 800U, a popular budget 5G SoC, for the F19 Pro+ 5G. According to Oppo’s website, the phone supports four 5G bands, which is a modest number compared to some more expensive Android phones, but still a considerable advantage within this price range. Only one configuration is available in India, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The F19 Pro+ 5G incorporates standard sensors, satellite navigation systems, dual-band Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.1, and FM radio.
The Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G runs on ColorOS 11.1, based on Android 11. It received a software update during our review, purportedly enhancing system performance, stability, and incorporating the April Android security patch. ColorOS is a software experience packed with features, but unfortunately, it also comes bundled with a barrage of bloatware. Notifications from the Theme Store and Browser proved particularly intrusive, although these alerts can be mitigated through settings manipulation. However, these apps remain uninstallable, which may irk users who prefer a cleaner software experience.
Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G Performance & Battery Life: Solid Performance, Impressive Endurance
The Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G delivers predictable performance, thanks to the competent Dimensity 800U SoC, a familiar chip from numerous other phones. Its performance, especially considering the price, is commendable. Benchmark scores were respectable – we recorded a score of 3,43,176 points in AnTuTu. Multitasking was generally smooth, but the lack of a high refresh rate display hampered the overall fluidity and responsiveness, which is a noticeable absence at this price point.
The phone remained remarkably cool during our review, only experiencing moderate warmth during gaming sessions. Games ran exceptionally well, with captivating visuals enhanced by the bright, vibrant colors of the OLED display. The bottom speaker achieved decent volume levels, ensuring an immersive gaming experience. The Game Space app provides a plethora of shortcuts and tweaks for further customization.
Battery life proved to be a significant strength. The F19 Pro+ 5G houses a 4,310mAh battery and achieved an impressive 19 hours and 42 minutes in our HD video loop test, a surprisingly long duration for such a battery capacity. With everyday usage involving gaming, camera, and social media, we consistently achieved about a day and a half of battery life per charge.
Charging is incredibly fast, utilizing Oppo’s 50W SuperVOOC 2.0 technology, which replenishes the battery from 0 to 100 percent in under 50 minutes. This incredibly quick charging is a major perk for users who value rapid battery restoration.
Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G Cameras: Uninspiring Performance in a Key Area
The cameras on the Oppo F17 Pro, the predecessor of the F19 Pro+ 5G, were a bit disappointing, and sadly, the F19 Pro+ 5G doesn’t offer any substantial upgrades in this department. The camera setup comprises a 48-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and two 2-megapixel cameras dedicated to macros and a black-and-white filter. For selfies, there’s a 16-megapixel camera nestled in the display’s hole-punch cutout.
Shooting Video with "AI Highlight Video": Trying to Make a Difference But Falling Short
The Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G boasts an "AI Highlight Video" toggle, which attempts to enhance video recording by automatically simulating HDR or boosting exposure in low-light conditions. While these features do function, the resulting video quality remains unspectacular, even in daylight.
Standard video recording capabilities reach up to 4K 30fps but lacks video stabilization, a noticeable omission at this price point. During daylight, video quality is slightly acceptable, but it deteriorates significantly in low-light conditions, becoming grainy and underwhelming. Other video modes include dual-view, allowing simultaneous recording with both the rear and selfie camera, and subject tracking, which works effectively if subjects stay within the frame’s boundaries.
Photography: A Mixed Bag of Results
Daytime landscape shots, particularly when HDR is aggressively applied in bright conditions, lack clarity and detail. The ultra-wide camera captures weaker details than the main camera but serves a purpose for those seeking a wider field of view. The macro camera, given the diminutive sensor size, unsurprisingly produces lackluster results. Regular close-up shots with the main camera perform well with adequate lighting. Landscape stills in low-light conditions suffer from poor details and weak textures. Night mode, although a step forward, doesn’t entirely redeem night-time photography.
Selfie Camera: Unnaturally Processed Results
Selfie photos tend to appear overly processed with the default settings. While skin tones and textures improve when selecting the "Natural" option in the beauty filter, HDR struggles to deliver satisfying results. Portrait mode selfies in backlit environments often suffer from blown-out backgrounds. Noise control is commendable in indoor settings and under good lighting, but skin tones sometimes appear unnatural.
Verdict: Missed Opportunities and Strong Competition
The Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G falls short of being the significant upgrade to the F17 Pro that we had hoped for. While it offers improvements in battery life, charging speed, and a faster 5G SoC, these enhancements are about the extent of its advancements. The slim design, lightweight feel, AMOLED display, and cameras are largely similar to its predecessor.
In fact, we would argue that the cameras have actually regressed in quality, a disappointing development for a phone priced close to Rs. 26,000. It seems that Oppo is currently focusing on its Reno series, and the F19 Pro+ 5G hasn’t received the attention and investment it needs to justify its price point.
Alternatives: The Competition Remains Strong
The OnePlus Nord continues to be the stronger competitor in the segment, offering superior performance and features. For cost-conscious buyers, the Xiaomi Mi 10i provides exceptional performance and features at a considerably lower price. Additionally, Realme’s X7 5G, with its comparable features, dimensions, and specifications to the F19 Pro+ 5G, boasts superior cameras and a more attractive price tag.
In conclusion, the Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G presents a mixed bag of positives and negatives. While it boasts desirable features like a lightweight design, quick charging, and a decent 5G SoC, its camera performance is uninspiring, and the absence of a high refresh rate display is a notable omission at this price point. The competition in the budget 5G segment is fierce, and the Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G needs to do more to justify its pricing and stand out in a crowded market.
