Oppo Find 5 - Android superphone?

Oppo Find 5 - Android superphone?

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TameRacingDriver

18,115 posts

273 months

Tuesday 16th April 2013
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Nice set of posts. It looks an interesting device, shame they didn't just bung a Vanilla Android Jelly Bean OS on it, could have been a giant killer if they had. Honestly, I just don't see the need to tinker with the software. It's good as it is, why they can't just offer their own apps if need be and let their hardware do the talking...

The picture above also serves as a good demonstration as to why a 7" tablet is still far, far better to use in the confines of your home than a smartphone - the amount of times people say "I've got a 5" phone, whats the point of a 7" tablet"... that tells the story better than an explanation ever could...

I still want a Nexus 7 again... but in two minds whether to wait now for the new model.

ZesPak

Original Poster:

24,439 posts

197 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
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TameRacingDriver said:
Nice set of posts. It looks an interesting device, shame they didn't just bung a Vanilla Android Jelly Bean OS on it, could have been a giant killer if they had. Honestly, I just don't see the need to tinker with the software. It's good as it is, why they can't just offer their own apps if need be and let their hardware do the talking...
Agreed 100%. I can see why Samsung and HTC still do it, as said before, on Android 2.X it actually added to the experience by some extra functionality (loads of it is in Vanilla android now), and now they have some people who stick to their brand, they won't ditch it as it'll completely change the interface (although apparently that's what HTC have done on the One...). But for a new brand that's making it's name now... Customers asked me what phone to buy and I advise them to wait a bit for the One, I won't advise the Oppo to people who aren't tech-savvy, unless you really want a high-end phone for about £325.
I did hear Oppo released it's drivers so that XDA can do as they please, but still, you won't say to your family member: buy this phone, and then throw another ROM on it (however easy it may be).

I'm glad other launchers exist, because the default one looked (imho) very childish and outdated.

TameRacingDriver said:
I still want a Nexus 7 again... but in two minds whether to wait now for the new model.
Again? You already had one? What happened to it?

If it were me, at this point, I'd wait a couple of months, although they are cheap enough to justify buying one because you want one smile.

TameRacingDriver

18,115 posts

273 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
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ZesPak said:
Again? You already had one? What happened to it?

If it were me, at this point, I'd wait a couple of months, although they are cheap enough to justify buying one because you want one smile.
I did have one, but sold it when I got the Note II. Yeah I probably will hang on now. I nearly bought one but it was scratched so I didn't buy it. Might hang on now and wait and see what the summer brings.

ZesPak

Original Poster:

24,439 posts

197 months

Monday 16th September 2013
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Small update:

It's a great phone, but my first one had some overheating issues (rebooting when playing a game), I notified Oppo of the issue and their support was amazing tbh.
Two options:
1) Send it back to us
2) When we receive it we send you a new one

That option would mean I'd be without it for over a month, but the second option:
1) Buy a new one
2) Send the defective one
3) When we receive it, we refund the new one

Which was what I opted for. This also had the pro that they now provide a free cover and screen protector, which I got for free, plus I got to change to the black one, which wasn't available when I bought mine hehe.

The new one has been faultless, amazing phone and keeps it's own against flagships of various makes. I'd avise anyone who likes the look of it to give it a go.

I did throw on Nova Launcher (still on the default ROM though as I can't be bothered to swap ROMs), for the look and added functionality.

All in all pleasantly surprised, as much by the device as by the communication with Oppo themselves. They're really doing everything in their power to get away from the "once it's sold it's your problem" stigma.

They got a new device (Oppo R819) out which is supposed to be mid range, but in specs it looks a lot like last year's high-end, looks like a very interesting device for the price as well!

Edit: I was worried about the "durability" of this phone, but I shouldn't have been. The white one was prone to scratches on the white back but nothing more. I've got a Nillkin wrap-around case now, and the phone has survived several cringe-worthy drops so far. The screen looks like it's bulletproof, just like my S2. It's in my pocket without any form for the screen (no fan of screen protectors so I didn't apply it).

Edited by ZesPak on Monday 16th September 08:23

Corso Marche

1,725 posts

202 months

Tuesday 17th September 2013
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Thanks for the update and honest opinion.

The new R819 looks very good value, and has a smart look to it too. I know it's the low-mid budget offering, but is 1Gb RAM really enough nowadays, I've come to think that 2Gb should be the minimum if I'm to change phone, hence the F5 seems to be where it's at if I look at Oppo.

I just prefer the vanilla Android experience after having Nexus devices, do you know is it hard loading the device with a ROM for a novice who has never bothered with anything like that before ?

Realistically it's down to N4 / N5 (presuming they keep price at Nexus levels) / Oppo F5 from looking around at the moment.

ZesPak

Original Poster:

24,439 posts

197 months

Tuesday 17th September 2013
quotequote all
Corso Marche said:
Thanks for the update and honest opinion.

The new R819 looks very good value, and has a smart look to it too. I know it's the low-mid budget offering, but is 1Gb RAM really enough nowadays, I've come to think that 2Gb should be the minimum if I'm to change phone, hence the F5 seems to be where it's at if I look at Oppo.

I just prefer the vanilla Android experience after having Nexus devices, do you know is it hard loading the device with a ROM for a novice who has never bothered with anything like that before ?

Realistically it's down to N4 / N5 (presuming they keep price at Nexus levels) / Oppo F5 from looking around at the moment.
The ROM should be fairly straightforward, but I haven't bothered as I don't mind the settings menu's (in fact I think they're pretty well thought out) on the Oppo, and front end I prefer the look Nova Launcher can give me over even the stock rom.
Oppo does deliver full support for rooted devices and the ROM community.

But, if they launch a 32GB N5 with a brand new display, I think it'll be hard to make a case for the Find 5.

Yes, the R819 looks brilliant, as for the performance, plenty of decent performers with "only" 1GB of RAM. In all other aspects, it very much looks like a slimmer, sleeker N4. Youtube reviewer (and Android fanboy to a fault) Armando Ferreira has been testing one lately so he might have some more insight.

ZesPak

Original Poster:

24,439 posts

197 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Thread revival!

Just have to shout this out:

My screen cracked (small crack), but hit the digitiser so it became useless.
The casing showed evidence that this might have been due to a drop.
I logged a ticket at support, sent them the phone and...

They are shipping me a NEW device FOC.

WTF.

TotalControl

8,086 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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That is excellent customer service!