Oppo R819 Comprehensive Review Specs & Insights

Oppo R819 Overview

The Oppo R819 is a smartphone that was announced in August 2013 and released in September 2013. While it has since been discontinued, it remains a noteworthy device due to its balance between performance, design, and price at the time of its release. It targets users seeking a dual-SIM Android phone with a sleek design and decent camera capabilities. This article delves into the device's hardware features, software experience, and the overall impact it made in the market.

Design and Build Quality

The Oppo R819 features a compact and lightweight design with dimensions of 136.5 x 68 x 7.3 mm and a weight of 110 g. The device comes in a white color, sporting a clean and minimalistic look. The slim profile and the 7.3 mm thickness make it comfortable to hold and easy to carry around. It supports Dual SIM capability (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by), which was a significant advantage for users who needed to manage two numbers simultaneously.

Display

The Oppo R819 is equipped with a 4.7-inch IPS LCD screen, which was quite popular at the time for its vibrant color reproduction and wide viewing angles. The display resolution stands at 720 x 1280 pixels, offering a decent ~312 ppi density. This combination resulted in sharp and clear visuals, providing an acceptable viewing experience for multimedia consumption and everyday tasks.

Performance and Hardware

Powered by the Mediatek MT6589 chipset, the Oppo R819 relies on a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU. This configuration was robust enough for handling typical smartphone tasks at the time, including browsing, multimedia playback, and light gaming. The device comes with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. However, the absence of a memory card slot for external storage expansion was a limitation users had to consider.

Camera Quality

The main camera of the Oppo R819 features an 8 MP sensor with autofocus, LED flash, and capabilities such as panorama and HDR. It supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, ensuring good quality video capture. The front camera has a 1.9 MP sensor, fit for basic selfie shots and video calls. Overall, the camera setup provided decent performance, with good color accuracy and detail in well-lit environments.

Battery Life

A Li-Ion 2000 mAh non-removable battery powers the Oppo R819. Despite its modest capacity, the battery offers an endurance rating of 56 hours. This endurance includes a mix of calls, internet browsing, and standby time, making it sufficient for a day's moderate use. The device's power efficiency is aided by the energy-saving characteristics of the Cortex-A7 processor.

Software Experience

The Oppo R819 runs on Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean, offering a near-stock Android experience with some customizations by Oppo. This version of Android brought several improvements over its predecessors, such as enhanced notifications, better performance, and a cleaner interface. However, the device's lack of support for future updates can be a downside for those who prioritize staying up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Oppo R819 supports various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and a hotspot feature. It also has Bluetooth 3.0, GPS for navigation, and a stereo FM radio with RDS for entertainment. However, it lacks NFC support, which was just starting to gain traction during its time. The device includes essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, and proximity sensor.

Audio and Multimedia

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to enjoy music and videos with ease. The audio quality is decent, with noise levels measured at -92.4dB and crosstalk at -87.9dB, delivering an acceptable listening experience.

Market Impact and Conclusion

Upon its release, the Oppo R819 was positioned as a competitive option in the mid-range smartphone market. Its elegant design, dual-SIM functionality, and reasonable price point of about 250 EUR made it an attractive choice for budget-conscious consumers. Although the Oppo R819 has been discontinued, it contributed to Oppo's growing reputation as a manufacturer capable of delivering quality devices that balance performance, design, and cost.

In conclusion, the Oppo R819 reflects a period in the smartphone industry where mid-range devices began to emerge with compelling designs and features, challenging the high-end market's dominance. For users who still own or can acquire this device, it serves as a reminder of Oppo's commitment to innovation and user-centric design.