Oppo has recently launched the A3, a mid-range smartphone designed with robust dust and water protection features. This new model serves as an affordable alternative to the A3 Pro, which made its debut in China earlier this April. Currently, the A3 is available exclusively in China, with no announcements yet on an international release.

Performance and Hardware

The Oppo A3 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, featuring eight CPU cores and an Adreno 619 GPU. In comparison, the A3 Pro is powered by the more advanced MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC. The A3 comes with options for 8 GB or 12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, paired with either 256 GB or 512 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. For additional storage, the device includes a microSD card slot.

Display and Camera

The front of the A3 boasts a 6.7" OLED display with FHD+ resolution (2,412 x 1,080 pixels) and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This 10-bit color depth panel also features a 240 Hz touch sampling rate and can reach up to 1,200 nits peak brightness, protected by the latest Gorilla Glass 7i.

On the rear, the A3 is equipped with a dual-camera setup: a 50 MP main camera with an f/1.8 lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 lens. For selfies, it offers an 8 MP front camera. Both the front and rear cameras can record 1080p videos at 30 frames per second.

Battery and Charging

The A3 houses a 5,000 mAh battery, supporting 45 W wired fast charging via VOOC technology. Oppo claims that the device can charge from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes. A VOOC charger is included in the package.

Connectivity and Software

Connectivity options for the Oppo A3 include 5G (dual-SIM), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), and Bluetooth 5.1. However, it lacks NFC and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The smartphone runs on ColorOS 14, based on Android 14.

Design and Durability

Despite its moderate thickness of 7.15 mm (0.28") and weight of 180 grams (6.35 oz), the Oppo A3 is built to be exceptionally durable. Oppo claims the device can withstand falls from approximately 6 feet and provides protection against scratches, dust, and water. Impressively, the smartphone is designed to be used for up to 10 hours in the rain.

Conclusion

The Oppo A3 is a compelling choice for those seeking a durable, mid-range smartphone with advanced features and robust protection. With its powerful performance, high-quality display, and rapid charging capabilities, the A3 is poised to make a significant impact in the market. Stay tuned for updates on its international availability.