Despite the dangerous infection, the Chinese continue to churn out gadgets one after another. For example, OPPO has already released several smartphones in 2020: there were both flagships and low-cost models. Among the freshest is the A31 for 12 thousand rubles. Let’s tell you more about it.
Design and screen
In terms of appearance, the new product does not really stand out among the many competitors, at least in the black case (we have this particular option in our review, although there are still models in light green shades). The back cover is made of glossy plastic, fingerprints instantly accumulate on it (fortunately, there is a case in the kit). The camera block is located in the upper left corner, and in the middle is the fingerprint scanner.
On the front, we liked the phone better. There is a large 6.5-inch screen with small bezels – it takes up almost 90 percent of the front panel. There are no “bangs”, but instead a drop-shaped cutout for the front camera. The resolution is HD +, but the picture is quite clear, not grainy. The stock of brightness is good, which is a rarity for a device in this price category. Color reproduction is also in order.
With connectors, the story is controversial: on the one hand, there is already a rare 3.5 mm headphone jack, and on the other, an outdated microUSB charging port. In its place, I would like to see Type-C, but you have to be content with what you have. However, it is not critical for a state employee.
Filling
The eight-core MediaTek Helio P35 (MT6765V / CB) and 4 GB of RAM are responsible for the operation of the system. These are far from top-end specifications, so the phone doesn’t always feel confident in tough tasks. For example, in “tanks” or PUBG you will have to play at the lowest graphics settings. But in simpler Subway Surfers or Cut The Rope, the user will not experience FPS drawdowns.
The interface works more or less smoothly, and if animation slows down, it is quite rare.
The 4230 mAh battery easily withstands a day and a half of work from one charge – no worse than many modern flagships. This is due to the low screen resolution and not the most demanding platform. In the mode of watching a movie at medium brightness, OPPO A31 draws out more than 24 hours – this is a very decent result.
Cameras
The main module includes three sensors of 12 + 2 + 2 Mp. The main thing is clear, and the rest are needed for macro shooting and creating a bokeh effect. Unfortunately, there is no width and telephoto. Below are examples of the operation of all modes.
In daylight, the camera does its job well, even if we don’t take into account the low cost of the smartphone. At night, the quality of detail drops dramatically – you don’t want to upload such frames to a conventional “instu”. Nevertheless, the phone performed well in other scenarios.
And here is an example of the operation of an 8-megapixel front camera – with and without “enhancers”. Although the difference is not easy to grasp.
Outcome
In short, the phone caused more positive emotions than negative ones. It has a good triple camera and a capacious battery that holds a charge for a long time. But the budget A31 also has its drawbacks. This is a glossy plastic case, and an old charging connector, and the absence of NFC. The last point can scare off many users, because you cannot pay with purchases from a smartphone without this chip.
If we compare the gadget with Chinese competitors, we can recall the realme C3 or the very fresh Honor 9A. The latter has a 5000 mAh battery and has NFC, but it costs a little cheaper (11 thousand rubles). But there is also a serious disadvantage – the lack of Google services. Therefore, the choice, as always, remains with the user – for OPPO fans, the new phone will definitely “come in”.