The Oppo A78 might not be the smartphone that turns heads with flashy marketing or groundbreaking design, but this budget-friendly Android device has a lot more going for it than you might initially expect. Nestled comfortably in the affordable segment, the A78 offers a large display, a premium feel, and even gaming capabilities that might catch you by surprise.
However, as with any budget device, it comes with its share of compromises—most notably in camera performance and a software experience cluttered with bloatware that could easily turn off some users. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the Oppo A78’s strengths and weaknesses, giving you the full picture of what this device brings to the table.
“Oppo A78 Review: Affordable Android Power with Premium Feel—Is It Worth the Hype?”
Pros
Premium feel
Big screen
Good gaming performance
Cons
Egregious bloatware issues
Poor camera performance
Older software
First Impressions: An Unassuming Contender
At first glance, the Oppo A78 doesn’t scream “premium.” The flat-edge design, combined with a teardrop notch, evokes memories of budget phones from a few years ago. The user interface, too, feels a bit dated. But as the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. Once you delve into using the Oppo A78, it starts to reveal its hidden potential, offering a surprisingly premium experience for a phone that costs so little.
Priced at £219 in the UK and AU$359 in Australia (around $280), the Oppo A78 fits squarely into the ‘cheap phone’ category. Yet, it manages to outshine many of its competitors by delivering solid performance in key areas like gaming, display size, and overall build quality. Of course, these strengths are counterbalanced by notable drawbacks, but they may not be deal-breakers depending on your priorities.
As part of Oppo’s budget-friendly A-series, the A78 often flies under the radar compared to the brand’s more celebrated Reno and Find X lines. Yet, like the proverbial middle child, the A78 might just surprise you with what it can offer. Sure, it bears a few telltale signs of its budget roots, but it also boasts features that elevate it above its similarly priced rivals.
Design and Build Quality: A Premium Feel at a Budget Price
One of the standout aspects of the Oppo A78 is its design. While many budget phones settle for cheap, plastic casings that feel insubstantial, the A78 takes a different route. The back of the device is crafted from a shiny, textured material that feels excellent in the hand and lends the phone a more upscale appearance. The fingerprint scanner, seamlessly embedded in the power button on the side, is among the best you’ll find in this price range—quick, responsive, and incredibly reliable.
Measuring 163.8 x 75.1 x 8mm and tipping the scales at 188g, the Oppo A78 is undeniably a large device. This might pose a challenge for users with smaller hands, yet the weight distribution is well-balanced, making it manageable despite its size. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C port will be welcomed by users who still prefer wired audio and appreciate fast charging capabilities.
Design Score: 4 / 5
Display: Big, Bold, But Not Quite Bright Enough
The Oppo A78 features a 6.56-inch LCD screen—an undeniably large display for a phone in this price range, making it an attractive option for gaming and streaming. However, the screen’s HD+ resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels doesn’t quite measure up to some of its competitors, who offer Full HD+ displays at similar price points.
Another area where the display stumbles is in its brightness. While it’s more than adequate for indoor use, it struggles to remain legible in bright outdoor conditions, maxing out at 600 nits. On the brighter side, the 90Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition, providing smoother motion compared to the 60Hz screens typical of budget devices. However, some rivals even offer 120Hz displays at this price, leaving the A78 slightly behind.
Display Score: 3 / 5
Software and User Experience: Colorful, But Cluttered
The Oppo A78 runs on Android 12 with Oppo’s ColorOS overlay. It’s a bit of a letdown that the phone doesn’t come with the latest Android 13, but the older software doesn’t significantly diminish the user experience. ColorOS is known for its vibrant, colorful design, which might appeal to those who prefer a more visually engaging interface over the stark minimalism of stock Android. However, it’s relatively light on unique features, focusing more on aesthetics than on added functionality.
Where the Oppo A78 really falters is in its handling of bloatware. The phone arrives preloaded with a dizzying array of apps—many of which are unnecessary and can’t be uninstalled. You’ll find popular apps like Netflix, Spotify, and TikTok, but also an astonishing 18 pre-installed games, most of which you’ve probably never heard of. This not only clutters the user interface but also takes up precious storage space, which could be better utilized for apps and media that you actually want.
Software Score: 2 / 5
Camera Performance: A Major Letdown
In an era where smartphone photography is paramount, the Oppo A78’s camera setup is its Achilles’ heel. The phone features a 50MP primary camera, which sounds impressive on paper but delivers disappointing results. Photos are often grainy and lack detail, with poor dynamic range and a tendency towards washed-out colors. The camera struggles particularly in low-light settings, where images become even more pixelated and lose sharpness.
The 2MP depth-sensing camera, intended to enhance portrait shots, adds little value. Portraits often have an artificial bokeh effect, with blurred edges that bleed into the subject. The 8MP front-facing camera performs slightly better, but it’s still below the standard you’d expect from a smartphone in this price range. Selfies are passable but lack the sharpness and detail that higher-end devices can deliver.
If high-quality photography is a priority for you, the Oppo A78 is not the phone for you. Its camera performance is among the weakest in its class, making it a poor choice for anyone who wants to capture impressive images on the go.
Camera Score: 2 / 5
Performance and Gaming: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Despite its budget classification, the Oppo A78 is surprisingly capable when it comes to performance. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, the phone handles everyday tasks with ease and even excels in gaming. During testing, the Oppo A78 managed to run demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile with minimal stuttering—an impressive feat for a device in this price range.
The 4GB of RAM is a bit on the low side for a modern smartphone, but Oppo’s RAM expansion feature allows the phone to use storage as additional RAM, boosting performance when needed. This makes the Oppo A78 a strong contender for budget-conscious gamers looking for a device that can handle their favorite titles without draining their wallets.
Audio performance is another area where the Oppo A78 shines. The stereo speakers deliver surprisingly balanced sound, making gaming and media consumption a pleasure. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth 5.3 support further enhances the audio experience, catering to both wired and wireless audio preferences.
Performance Score: 3.5 / 5
Battery Life: Reliable, But Not Exceptional
The Oppo A78 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which is pretty standard for budget smartphones these days. The battery easily lasts a full day of use, even with moderate gaming and media consumption. However, heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge before the day is out.
The phone supports 33W fast charging, which is decent but far from the fastest available in this price segment. It takes just over an hour to charge the battery from empty to full, with a 50% charge achievable in about 30 minutes. While this isn’t the quickest charging on the market, it’s sufficient for most users.
Battery Score: 3.5 / 5
Value for Money: A Mixed Bag
The Oppo A78 offers good value for money, though it’s not without its caveats. If you’re in the market for a budget phone with a premium feel, a large screen, and solid gaming performance, the A78 is worth a look. However, its underwhelming camera performance and excessive bloatware might be significant drawbacks for some.
At its price point, the Oppo A78 faces stiff competition from other budget smartphones like the Moto G53, Redmi Note 12, and Nokia G42. These alternatives offer similar specifications and may provide a cleaner, more user-friendly experience, especially in terms of software and camera performance.
Value Score: 4 / 5
Should You Buy the Oppo A78?
Buy it if…
You’re a mobile gamer on a budget: The Oppo A78’s large screen, decent speakers, and surprising processing power make it an excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts who don’t want to spend a fortune.
You like side-mounted fingerprint scanners: The A78’s side-mounted fingerprint scanner is responsive and reliable, perfect for those who favor this design.
You’re not fussed about software: If you’re not concerned about having the latest Android version or can overlook the bloatware, the Oppo A78 delivers a solid user experience.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re a photography enthusiast: The Oppo A78’s camera is subpar, and you’ll likely be disappointed with its photo quality.
You want a clean software experience: Excessive bloatware could be a significant annoyance if you prefer a clutter-free user interface.
You need a bright display for outdoor use: The A78’s screen doesn’t perform well in bright light, which might be a dealbreaker if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Final Verdict
The Oppo A78 is a budget phone that punches above its weight in some areas, particularly in gaming and design but stumbles in others, notably in its camera performance and software clutter. If you’re looking for an affordable Android smartphone that delivers solid performance in key areas, and you can overlook its shortcomings, the Oppo A78 could be a good fit. However, if camera quality and a clean user experience are high on your list of priorities, you might want to consider other options in this price range.
Overall Score: 3.5 / 5
