Oppo Find N5: The Future of Foldables Is Here (But Is It Enough?)

Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Ever wondered what the pinnacle of foldable phone technology looks like? Well, Oppo is throwing its hat into the ring with the Find N5, a device that’s turning heads and sparking conversations. Oppo, always keen to push boundaries, has launched a foldable that aims to steal the spotlight from giants like Samsung and Huawei.

With a starting price of $1,870, the Find N5 isn’t just another phone; it’s a statement. But is it the ultimate foldable we’ve been waiting for, or just another step in the ongoing evolution? Let’s dive in!

Design and Build

• Thickness: At just 8.93mm thick when folded, the Find N5 is shockingly slim. Unfolded, it’s a mere 4.21mm!
• Comparison: How does that stack up? Well, your everyday slab phones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max (8.25mm) and Pixel 9 Pro (8.5mm) are in the same ballpark!
• Feel: Unlike some foldables, the Find N5 boasts flat sides, giving it a seamless, almost slab-like feel.
• Weight: Weighing in at 229 grams, it feels solid without being overly bulky.

The Hinge and Crease: Near Perfection?

Let’s be real: the hinge and crease can make or break a foldable. The Find N5’s hinge is sturdy, inspiring confidence with each fold. And the crease? It’s minimal, almost invisible at first. Sure, after a week or so, you might feel it a bit, but it’s still among the best in the game. While Samsung’s hinge might be a tad more polished, Oppo’s is definitely a contender.

Insider Insight: Oppo went the extra mile by customizing the USB-C port to achieve this slim design. This begs the question: will future foldable have to ditch USB-C altogether to get even thinner?

Display and Multimedia: A Visual Delight?

What about the screens, you ask?

• Sizes: You get a 6.62-inch cover screen for quick peeks and an expansive 8.2-inch inner display for immersive experiences.
• Inner Display: If you’re a bookworm or a browsing fanatic, you’ll love the inner display. It’s less reflective, making it perfect for long reading sessions.
• Cover Screen: Need vibrant colors? The cover screen has you covered, though it can be a bit reflective in direct sunlight.
• Brightness: The cover screen cranks up to 2,450 nits at peak, while the inner display hits a respectable 1,400 nits outdoors.

Aspect Ratios and Viewing Experience

The 20.7:9 aspect ratio on the cover screen is a treat for watching videos. Plus, you can prop it up in tent mode to avoid those annoying black bars on the bigger screen. While Huawei’s tri-fold might offer a more immersive movie-watching experience, Oppo’s tent mode is a neat workaround.

Performance and Software: Power and Intelligence Combined

Under the hood, the Find N5 rocks a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with a 7-core CPU. Oppo claims it’s just as efficient as the 8-core versions, but does it hold up?

Running ColorOS 15 based on Android 15, the software is slick and feature-packed.

AI Features: More Than Just Gimmicks?

Oppo is betting big on AI, and the Find N5 is loaded with it:

• AI Unblur and AI Eraser help you fix those less-than-perfect photos.
• AI Telescope Zoom cranks up the telephoto lens to 30x with some AI magic!
• The personal AI assistant can summarize documents, transcribe calls, and even translate video chats.

Camera Performance: A Downgrade or a Worthy Trade-off?

Now, let’s talk cameras. The Find N5 sports a triple rear camera setup:

• 50MP main sensor with OIS
• 50MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS
• 8MP ultrawide

It’s a slight step down from the Find N3/OnePlus Open. In good lighting, you’ll get vibrant colors and great dynamic range thanks to Hasselblad tuning. The 6x in-sensor zoom is a standout feature!

In low light, the smaller sensors show their limitations. But here’s a pro tip: use Master mode to bypass the Hasselblad processing for potentially better results!

Compared to other foldables from Samsung and Google, the Find N5 holds its own. However, the OnePlus Open had a superior camera system.

Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power?

Oppo packed a 5,600mAh silicon-carbon battery into this slim device. It supports both 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. With typical use, you can easily get through a full day without scrambling for a charger.

Connectivity and Unique Features

One cool feature is the O+ Connect app, which lets you link your Find N5 to a Mac. You can transfer files and even remotely control your Mac!

The Competition: How Does It Stack Up?

• Samsung Galaxy Fold 6: The main rival. The Find N5 one-ups it in slimness.
• Huawei Mate XT: Huawei’s trifold offers a different approach, but Ben Wood from CCS Insight believes the “book-like form factor” of the Find N5 is the smarter bet.
• Samsung’s Trifold Prototype: Samsung is also experimenting with trifold designs, so the future is wide open!

Conclusion: The End Game or Just a Pit Stop?

So, is the Oppo Find N5 the foldable phone to end all foldable phones? It’s incredibly slim, boasts impressive battery life, and has some genuinely useful AI features. The camera might not be the absolute best, and there are always durability concerns with foldables.

Unfortunately, if you’re in the US, you’re unlikely to get your hands on one officially.

Final Verdict: The Oppo Find N5 is a significant leap forward, showcasing the potential of foldable technology. Whether it’s the “end game” or just a “pit stop” remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Oppo is pushing the boundaries!