Oppo has launched the A5 5G in the UK, and it’s shaping up to be one seriously tough budget smartphone .
Its headline feature is the impressive level of robustness for a phone of its price. It comes with IP65 certification, which is a level of water and dust resistance that you don’t typically find in a sub-£200 device.
Elsewhere, Oppo has ensured that critical ports such as the SIM tray have been protected by silicone gaskets, while the USB-C port features a waterproof socket.
Military-grade toughness
Oppo has explained some of the protective measures it has taken to ensure the A5 5G’s strength. That includes strategically placing foam adhesive and precision-applied glue in order to protect delicate internal components against vibration and impact damage.
You also get MIL-STD 810H military-grade shock resistance – again, an impressive specification for £179.
Oppo
The use of double-tempered glass around the front supposedly ensures 160% better drop protection than usual, while the motherboard is protected by a high-strength alloy frame.
Oppo has really put the A5 5G through the wringer in the testing phase, by the sounds of it. The phone has survived drops and key scratches, but also being run over by a vehicle.
Despite all this extra protection, the A5 5G remains a relatively slim and light device, at just 7.99mm and 194g, respectively
Impressive specs for the price
What’s all the more impressive, given those dimensions, is that Oppo has squeezed in a 6,000mAh battery. You also get support for up to 45W SuperVooc fast charging.
Away from the design of this phone, the A5 5G runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 processor, alongside 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Oppo
The display is a 6.67-inch 120Hz LCD with 1000 nits of peak brightness. That’s flanked by stereo speakers, which is always welcome in a cheaper phone.
When it comes to photography, you’re looking at a 50Mp main camera, a 2Mp portrait camera, and an 8Mp front camera.
Oppo A5 5G software and pricing
The Oppo A5 5G ships running Android 15 with the company’s custom ColorOS 15 UI on top.
Oppo has apparently applied its 48-month Fluency Protection certification to ensure smooth running for at least four years.
Elsewhere, Oppo has implemented an ‘Outdoor Mode’ that prioritises network access and specified work apps. It’ll also crank up notification volume, switch to speakerphone when disconnected from a headset, bolster screen brightness, and even bolster touch sensitivity when wearing gloves.
The A5 5G is now available to buy in the UK in either ‘Black Green’ or ‘Mist White’, with an RRP of £179. It’s available from the official Oppo store , as well as retailers including Currys, Carphone, ID Mobile, and Mobiles.co.uk.
It seems like a compelling rival to the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G , which costs £199 when paying full price.
However, as is the case with all Oppo phones, it’s not available in the US.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.
Recent stories by Jon Mundy:
- Nothing Phone (4a) and Pro get tipped release date
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra European pricing leaks, and it’s good news
- Samsung Galaxy Wide Fold could be a bigger deal than expected
