Oppo A38 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The Oppo A38 boasts a sleek design with dimensions of 163.7 x 75 x 8.2 mm and weighs approximately 190 g, providing a comfortable fit in the hand without being overly bulky. The phone supports dual Nano-SIMs with a dual stand-by feature, making it convenient for users who need separate lines for business and personal use. The device’s aesthetics are enhanced with its color variants: Glowing Black and Glowing Gold, each offering a unique appeal.

Display Features

The smartphone features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a refresh rate of 90Hz and a peak brightness of 720 nits. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 84.2%, offering users an immersive viewing experience with its expansive 20:9 aspect ratio. The resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels, delivering a density of about 269 ppi, ensures that visuals are vibrant and texts are clear even in direct sunlight.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Oppo A38 is powered by the Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 chipset, manufactured on a 12 nm process. The octa-core CPU comprises 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, which provide a balanced blend between power efficiency and performance. The Mali-G52 MC2 GPU supports graphics and delivers an excellent gaming experience for casual gamers.

Memory and Storage

The Oppo A38 comes with two RAM options: 4GB or 6GB, coupled with an internal storage capacity of 128GB. The inclusion of a microSDXC card slot allows for expandable storage, providing users with additional space for multimedia content and applications as needed.

Camera Configuration

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the dual-camera setup on the rear, which includes a 50 MP wide sensor with an aperture of f/1.8 featuring phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and a 2 MP depth sensor with an aperture of f/2.4. Additional features include an LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode. The rear camera is capable of recording 1080p videos at 30fps. The front-facing camera sports a 5 MP wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and supports 1080p video recording, ensuring decent quality selfies and video calls.

Battery Life and Charging

The device is equipped with a powerful 5000 mAh Li-Po non-removable battery, which offers ample power to last throughout the day with moderate usage. The 33W wired fast charging support (Power Delivery) ensures that the battery can reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes, as advertised, providing users with quick and convenient recharging on the go.

Software and User Interface

The Oppo A38 runs on Android 13 with Oppo's ColorOS 14 skin on top, offering a user-friendly interface with a variety of customization options. The software is upgradable to Android 14, guaranteeing the latest security patches and software enhancements. ColorOS is known for its ease of use and intuitive design, contributing to a smooth and efficient user experience.

Network and Connectivity

The Oppo A38 supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, ensuring comprehensive network coverage and faster download and upload speeds. The radio frequencies include 2G, 3G, and multiple 4G bands, making it suitable for use in various regions across the globe. Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD support, GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, and QZSS for precise location tracking. There's also USB Type-C 2.0 support with OTG and NFC capabilities (depending on the market or region).

Audio and Multimedia

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker for clear audio output and retains the traditional 3.5mm audio jack for those who prefer wired headphones. The absence of FM radio might be a drawback for some, but overall, audio support is robust with Bluetooth allowing for high-quality wireless audio transmission.

Additional Features

Additional features on the Oppo A38 include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for fast and secure unlocking, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enhance functionality by allowing gesture controls and improving orientation-awareness for various applications.

Price and Availability

With a competitive price tag of $187.00, £119.00, €113.31, or ₹9,999, the Oppo A38 is a compelling option for individuals seeking a mid-range smartphone with robust features. The phone was announced on September 04, 2023, and has been available in the market since its release later that same September.