Oppo continues to make waves in the mid-range smartphone segment with the launch of the Oppo A97 5G. Designed to offer powerful features at an affordable price, the A97 5G is packed with essentials like a 5G-enabled processor, a high-refresh-rate display, and fast charging—all tailored for today’s demanding users. In this review, we explore its design, specifications, performance, and pricing to see if it lives up to the hype.
Design and Build Quality
The Oppo A97 5G sports a minimal yet modern aesthetic that appeals to the younger demographic. The device is slim and lightweight, making it easy to handle and pocket. It comes with a polycarbonate back that has a matte finish, giving it a premium look without attracting fingerprints.
The smartphone is available in eye-catching colors like Deep Sea Blue and Cherry Blossom Pink, designed to attract both style-conscious youth and practical users. The rear camera module has a rectangular housing with dual lenses and an LED flash neatly integrated.
Display
One of the major highlights of the Oppo A97 5G is its 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD display. The screen offers a refresh rate of 90Hz, which results in smoother scrolling and an enhanced gaming experience. With a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, the display delivers crisp visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for multimedia consumption.
Although the A97 uses an LCD panel instead of AMOLED, Oppo has optimized the screen for brightness and clarity, even in outdoor conditions. This makes it suitable for video streaming, casual gaming, and extended reading sessions.
Performance and Processor
Under the hood, the Oppo A97 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, a reliable mid-range processor built on a 6nm process. It is paired with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, which ensures seamless multitasking, app launching, and casual gaming.
The smartphone comes with 128GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage, which is further expandable via microSD card. This gives users enough space to store media, apps, and documents without worrying about running out of memory.
In real-world usage, the A97 performs smoothly when switching between apps or browsing. While it might not cater to hardcore gamers, it handles popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile reasonably well at medium graphics settings.
5G Connectivity and Software
As the name suggests, the Oppo A97 is 5G-enabled, making it future-ready. With growing 5G infrastructure in urban areas, users can enjoy faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and improved network stability.
The smartphone runs on ColorOS 12, based on Android 12. Oppo’s skin adds various custom features such as three-finger screenshots, floating windows, and enhanced privacy settings. However, some bloatware may be present, which users can uninstall or disable.
Camera Performance
The Oppo A97 5G is equipped with a dual-camera setup, featuring a 48MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The main sensor captures detailed shots under daylight, with decent dynamic range and color accuracy. Portrait shots benefit from the depth sensor, offering a natural-looking background blur.
On the front, it has a 12MP selfie camera that performs well for video calls and social media pictures. The camera app includes features like AI Beauty Mode, Night Mode, and HDR to enhance the photography experience.
While the A97 isn’t aimed at professional photography, it delivers satisfactory results for day-to-day use.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is another strong suit of the Oppo A97. It houses a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. Whether you’re watching videos, gaming, or browsing, the device maintains solid endurance.
What makes it more convenient is the 33W SuperVOOC fast charging support. It can charge the device from 0 to 50% in about 25 minutes, which is perfect for users on the go. The charger is included in the box, which is always a plus in today’s market.
Audio and Other Features
The Oppo A97 5G includes dual stereo speakers, delivering loud and balanced audio output. It also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, a welcome feature for wired headphone users.
Other notable features include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, face unlock, and support for Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and GPS. The fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, making unlocking quick and secure.
Pricing and Availability
The Oppo A97 5G is competitively priced at around ₹21,000 to ₹23,000 in India, depending on the platform and any ongoing promotional offers. It is available for purchase through major online retailers and offline Oppo stores across the country.
At this price point, it competes with other 5G smartphones like the Realme Narzo 60 5G, iQOO Z7 5G, and Redmi Note 12 5G. While each device has its strengths, the Oppo A97 holds its own with balanced performance, good build quality, and fast charging.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish and ergonomic design
- 90Hz refresh rate display
- MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G chipset
- 8GB RAM with virtual expansion
- 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging
- Dual stereo speakers and headphone jack
Cons:
- LCD panel instead of AMOLED
- No ultra-wide-angle or macro camera
- Some bloatware in ColorOS
- No official IP rating
Final Verdict
The Oppo A97 5G is a solid mid-range smartphone that delivers excellent value for money. With 5G connectivity, a reliable processor, long battery life, and fast charging, it ticks all the right boxes for casual users, students, and young professionals. While it’s not perfect, its well-rounded feature set and stylish design make it a smart buy in its segment.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly 5G phone that doesn’t compromise on performance or aesthetics, the Oppo A97 5G is definitely worth considering.
