Test: OPPO F7

Last month, OPPO launched its latest addition to its F series, the OPPO F7 smartphone. From the previous F5 model, improvements and refinements have been made and the main highlights of the F7 are the new 25-megapixel front camera and 16-megapixel rear shooter. We put this to the test, together with the phone’s other features.
Capture the real you (?). The brand has consistently claimed over the years to “capture the real you” when it comes to their cameras, but I still think that the artificial intelligence setting in the 25-megapixel front camera needs to dial down a bit more. This is because it still does some unnecessary polishing to the face. When I took a selfie with the phone for the first time, the AI-assisted Beauty Mode was already activated–which made me believe that it was at its default state. In the selfie, my eyes were enlarged and my skin was smoothed out so much so that I felt like I was using an Instagram or Snapchat filter. Although, the burn on the left side of my mouth was still visible. While the photo’s turnout wasn’t exactly terrible, the washed out and blurred effect diminishes its overall quality.

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The 16-megapixel rear camera, however, is what got my attention and liking. The color payoff turned out to be better even that of the subject itself. While there remains the factor of good lighting, I would still give the camera some credit because it still delivers even in low-light settings. The Expert Mode and Depth Effect also generate better-quality photos, although the latter might still need some improvements because even parts of the subject get blurred out with the background. Overall, the front camera is good, but the rear camera is better as it spurs clear and crisp photos, as well as delivers the best versions of the subjects.

Sleek, sophisticated, and light to the touch. The edition I got to use was the Diamond Black one, and it truly is a mesmerizing sight when you move the back design against the light (see a sample clip of this on 2.O’s IG page). It definitely adds a sophisticated touch to the sleek new model. That being said, it’s the best-looking one, out of all the other editions. Although, fingerprints are more apparent so there’ll be times when you have to wipe the phone. With its size, it could be said that the OPPO F7 belongs to the group of larger smartphones. However, it only weighs 5.57 oz and is slender anyway, making it so easy hold. It’s not slippery either so there’s no need to worry about accidentally dropping it on your face when you use it lying down.

Gorgeous display and quality sound. Its 6.23-inch screen does not disappoint. Much like how it does with photos, it delivers clear and crisp videos, which is a plus for me–a mainstay in the YouTube mobile app. Also, worth mentioning is the quality sound from its speakers and earphones. The earphones specifically have more of a surround sound–something I don’t normally experience in most smartphones. Going back to the display, OPPO F7 definitely maximizes its screen by using capacitive buttons instead of physical ones. Although there is still a notch for the front camera, it did not bother me at all.

So much power. The OPPO F7 is powered by the new MediaTek Helio P60 processor, which according to the company is 70 percent faster than the Helio P23 and promises 12 percent overall power savings. To put this to the test, I downloaded and used apps that heavily consumed not just mobile data, but also energy like Zalora, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. And it delivered. I kept bouncing from app to app and it not once did it lag. I also used it as my main phone for a few days, and a full battery lasted me an entire day. It definitely lives up to its promise of maximizing performance while reducing energy usage.

VERDICT
The OPPO F7 is definitely a good purchase for its price. It performs better and runs on less energy than most smartphones I’ve used. Its front and rear cameras are quite good but personally, the latter is far more superior. Overall, it’s something I’d consider purchasing.
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 6.23” Full HD+(2,280 x 1,080 resolution)
SIM: Dual
Operating system: Android 8.1 Oreo
Processor: MediaTek Helio P60
Memory: 4GB RAM
Storage: 64GB internal storage, expandable up to 256GB via microSD
Cameras: 16MP rear w/ f1.8 aperture, PDAF, LED flash, 1080p@30fps video; 25MP front w/ f/2.0 aperture
Connectivity & I/O ports: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot; Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE; GPS, A-GPS; microUSB 2.0, USB OTG
Security: Fingerprint scanner
Battery: 3,400mAh
Price: P17,990