Today we revisit a device that’s been a sort of an underdog in the tech community, the OPPO A3x, to see where it lands in our coveted Smartphone Tier List.
As you may (or may not) know, the OPPO A3x has been around for a year, making its local debut in September last year. Well, if it already launched last year, why the sudden interest, you may ask?
Because at ₱3,000 to ₱4,000, we think the OPPO A3x is quite a steal. Here’s why:
It’s Bulletproof
We don’t mean that literally, it can’t stop a bullet but what it can stop are the accidental bumps and splashes that you might encounter daily.
When compared to phones in a similar price point, the OPPO A3x stands out as the only device with MIL-STD 810H military-grade certification. And that’s on top of the IP54 Dust and Water resistance rating that it already has.
For those that don’t already know, having an MIL-STD 810H certification is no small feat. There are 28 different test methods used but a device doesn’t need to go all through them, just the ones that apply to the device being tested.
Some of these tests include dropping the device from a specific height, subjecting it to vibrations and rough handling, and testing its performance under different conditions like heat, cold, humidity, and more.
You wouldn’t expect this level of durability from a device that looks this stylish, I mean, it looks like my personal phone, the iPhone 12, but with all the toughness.
Bright and Might
Can you imagine a tech company as big as Apple only switching to a higher refresh rate display for all their models this year, and everyone loses their minds. Meanwhile, OPPO’s already putting a 90Hz refresh rate on their entry-level A3x.
And that’s not all, the OPPO A3x also has up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness, so you’ll never have to worry about using it under bright sunlight. Plus, the Splash Touch feature keeps the display responsive even with sweaty or wet hands.
All that in a 6.67-inch display with an 89.9% screen-to-body ratio that’s perfect for watching movies or doomscrolling on social media.
Tried and Tested Formula
Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 is indeed a rebranded Snapdragon 662, a chipset released in 2020. But hey, it still performs on par with newer entry-level chipsets like UNISOC’s T7250 or MediaTek’s Helio G80 series.
And despite its old architecture, the Adreno 610 GPU has a solid reputation for optimization when it comes to games. Just don’t expect it to run Genshin Impact or Wuthering Waves on high to ultra settings, I mean, this is still a ₱3,000 to ₱4,000 smartphone.
Out of the box, the OPPO A3x runs ColorOS 14 on top of Android 14 but you can easily upgrade it to Android 15. OPPO also promises fluency for 36 months, meaning the A3x stays smooth even after 3 years. Quite impressive for a phone at this price point.
All-day Battery and Minimum Downtime
On paper, the 5100 mAh is on par with devices at this price range, but where it one-ups the competition is in longevity.
If OPPO promises smooth performance for three years, the battery is rated to retain 80% of its capacity even after four years of daily use. That’s value if you ask me. Instead of replacing your device every two to three years, you can hold out a little longer.
Another area where the OPPO A3x triumphs over its competitors is charging. Compared to the usual 10W to 18W charging that others have, the OPPO A3x features 45W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge. Topping the A3x from 0 to 50% in just 30 mins, letting you stay out for longer.
Verdict: Super Sulit!
You might think we’re crazy for putting it in such high regard, but hear us out. For ₱3,000 to ₱4,000, you’re getting a phone with a display that’s big, bright, and smooth. It’s also as tough as nails so you won’t have to baby it all the time.
Granted, it does have an older chipset despite the name change, but when compared to newer chipsets at this price point, the differences are so negligible that you’ll barely notice them. And really, who else can say their most affordable phone stays smooth for three years?
If you want to see our full review on the OPPO A3x, you’ll find our YouTube video down below.
Pricing and Availability
Currently, the OPPO A3x starts at ₱3,899 on OPPO’s Shopee and Lazada store, and that’s without the monthly sale. You could also watch out for any incoming sales on any of the platforms mentioned.