Unveiling Oppo A59 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Oppo A59 (2016) Overview

Launched in June 2016, the Oppo A59 captured attention with its balanced blend of features aimed at everyday usability. Although no longer available on the market having been discontinued, its legacy remains significant especially in understanding the mid-range smartphone segment of its time.

Design and Build

The Oppo A59 features dimensions of 154.5 x 76 x 7.4 mm, and weighs 160 g. It offers a sleek appearance with a modest thickness of 7.4 mm, making it reasonably comfortable for one-handed use despite its larger 5.5-inch screen. With a hybrid dual SIM configuration, users had the flexibility to use two SIM cards or one SIM card and a microSD card for storage expansion. Available in Gold and Rose Gold, the design catered well to aesthetic preferences without being overly flashy.

Display

The device sports a 5.5-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. Though not the most pixel-dense display (267 ppi), it offered respectable clarity and vibrancy for daily multimedia consumption, such as video streaming or browsing photos, benefiting from its considerable screen-to-body ratio of approximately 71%.

Performance

Under the hood, the Oppo A59 is powered by a Mediatek MT6750 chipset, featuring an octa-core processor configuration with 4 x 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4 x 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, complemented by a Mali-T860MP2 GPU. This combination was aimed at delivering efficient performance for standard tasks and moderate gaming experiences. Paired with 3GB of RAM, the device was well-equipped to handle multitasking, although it might stretch under heavy loads with modern apps.

Camera Capabilities

Photography enthusiasts could rely on the 13 MP rear camera featuring phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and an f/2.0 aperture, ensuring decent photo quality even in less-than-ideal lighting. Additional features like HDR and panorama expanded its photographic potential. Selfie needs were catered to by the 8 MP front-facing camera, with an f/2.2 aperture delivering credible results, suitable for video calls and quick snapshots. Video recording was supported up to 1080p at 30fps, for both main and selfie cameras.

Storage

The Oppo A59 came with 32GB of internal storage, a fairly ample space for apps, media, and other data at the time. Storage could be expanded via a microSD card up to 256GB, albeit using the shared SIM slot, offering flexibility for users prioritizing additional storage over dual SIM capabilities.

Battery and Power Management

Powering the device is a non-removable Li-Ion 3075 mAh battery, a decent size ensuring enough power for a full day's use under normal circumstances. While not fast charging-certified, efficient power management was expected to provide satisfactory lifespan between charges, based on usage habits.

Operating System and User Interface

The Oppo A59 originally shipped with Android 5.1 (Lollipop) overlaid with Oppo’s custom ColorOS 3. Although Android 5.1 predates many newer features available in later Android iterations, ColorOS provided additional functionality and customization options which extended the usability of the device, giving users a personalized experience.

Connectivity and Network

Connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.1, ensuring compatibility with modern wireless devices and networks. GPS facilitated navigation needs, while a microUSB 2.0 port allowed physical connectivity and charging, supporting OTG for additional functionality. The lack of NFC and Type-C USB might have limited some modern conveniences, but FM radio support remained a practical inclusion.

Audio and Multimedia

The Oppo A59 supported audio experiences with a built-in loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, notifying users of its flexibility across audio consumption methods. The inclusion of the FM radio further enhanced its multimedia capabilities for consumers enjoying traditional media forms.

Sensors and Security

The device incorporated practical sensors including a front-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security and convenience, alongside standard sensors like an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, contributing to a well-rounded user experience.

Conclusion

Overall, the Oppo A59 was designed to offer a satisfying balance of features without breaking the bank, suitable for everyday users seeking reliable performance, reasonable battery life, and a fair degree of customizability and expandability. While modern successors may outshine it in specifications and features, the A59 remains a significant testament to Oppo's focus on creating compelling mid-range devices.