It’s as light as a coffee cup.
Given, this is a very vague statement, since that could refer to a 20-ounce Venti latte, or just a half-empty paper to-go cup. But that’s exactly how OPPO describes their latest Find N5 foldable.
They also describe it to be as slim as a pencil, at 8.93 mm. That would make it essentially the thinnest foldable on the market.
So, what does that mean for the average user?
Serving visually
We got the phone in a beautifully elegant Misty White colourway. It’s not just a simple old white shade, though—upon closer inspection, there’s a lovely textured finish with subtle patterns all over.
There’s also Cosmic Black which offers a smoother, silky surface.
The phone also came with its very own case. I appreciate that you don’t have to pay extra for it (cough, cough) since no one else is really making these super specific phone cases with magnetic spines that slide into place when you fold and unfold the phone.
But regarding the physicality of the phone, the rear camera module is pretty thick, so the phone can be a bit wobbly sometimes when you set it down screen up. It also somewhat feels unbalanced when you have it unfolded as well, but I do think it’s a matter of getting used to.
Real real estate
Let’s talk about the front screen first. When it’s folded up, it feels just like any other phone, fitting easily in one hand. With a 6.62-inch screen and a ratio of 20.7:9, it really presents itself as a normal bar phone.
When unfolded, though, the screen expands to 8.12 inches diagonally. And the thickness? A shocking 4.21mm.
The LTPO screen has a dynamic refresh rate of 1-120Hz. For the cover screen, there is a peak brightness of 2450 nits and a high resolution of 2616 × 1140. Inside, that would be 2,100 nits and 2480 × 2248 high resolution.
In any case, this phone is always crisp and colourful, even when outdoors. And when you’re in the dark, there’s something called Bedtime Mode to reduce blue light exposure.
Hinging on durability
When it comes to folds, we can’t not talk about the hinges.
The OPPO Find N5 uses something called a Titanium Alloy Flexion Hinge, comprising a 3D-printed Titanium Alloy Casing and Wing Plate, resulting in a 26% reduction in thickness.
It’s also reinforced with industry-leading 2,200 MPa Ultra-High-Strength steel bits.
So what does that all mean? Well, I can’t personally speak to the durability, but I do think that the hinges feel buttery smooth and perfectly easy to use.
The phone is also framed with aircraft-grade 7-series Aluminium Alloy, boasting strength and elongation.
As for the inner screen, OPPO is using a UTG (ultra thin glass) plus dual layers of anti-impact films, which is all supposed to protect against drops and daily wear while maintaining a sleek, flat surface.
Compared to their previous fold models, the Find N5 has 30% improvement in bending resistance and 70% stronger impact resistance, the brand claims.
On the topic of durability, I’m also excited, as a clumsy person, to report that the phone is waterproof, meeting the conditions for IPX6, IPX8, and IPX9 ratings. This somewhat surprised me, considering the assumed fragility of foldables, especially when they come this thin.
What about the photography?
Co-developed with Hasselblad, it’s not surprising that the photography on this bad boy is pretty impressive.
The question isn’t whether it’s good, it’s how good?
The wide angle camera is 50MP, the telephoto is also 50MP, and the ultra-wide is 8MP. There are two front cameras—one on the cover screen, the other inside. Both are also 8MP.
The ultra-wide and front cameras are a little disappointing, I must say. I was hoping for at least 12MP for these cameras.
Fascinatingly, the selfie camera inside is super offset to the right upper corner. It’s a bizarre placement, but it doesn’t really detract much from the selfie experience, save for a more diverted eyeline if you, like most, stare at yourself when snapping pics. Narcissists, am I right?
But more than the hardware of the camera, it’s the processing that really shines. I find portraits in particular to look great on OPPO phones. It doesn’t do the best in terms of details when there are over-exposed light sources, but it does well both indoors and out.
But when it comes to some more action shots, it’s not the most crisp.
There’s lots of stuff you can edit in post as well, as OPPO offers a range of AI tools like the AI Clarify Enhancer, AI Eraser, AI Unblur, and AI Reflection Remover.
Reliable performance
Under the hood, the phone is fitted with the seven-core Qualcomm® Oryon™ CPU@4.32GHz, with a Adreno™ 830@1100MHz GPU.
Gaming on the phone is smooth, and I never noticed it getting too warm. Perhaps the surface area also helps cool down the phone faster? The size and ratio of the screen does make it a bit awkward to play certain games, but for the most part, it works just fine.
Interestingly, the phone also offers seamless Mac connection, allowing users to easily search, access, edit, and sync files on their Mac remotely.
Essentially, OPPO believes that it can turn your phone into a “mini-PC for unparalleled productivity.”
I did try working on it, laptop style, but unfortunately, it’s just not very ergonomically sound.
Sure, it’s possible, but you do need to lean it against something because it will keep toppling (trust me). On top of that, the angle of your neck just isn’t the best when you’re working like that for a longer period of time.
On the topic of “long periods of time,” I did find the battery life to be somewhat decent, though nothing impressive. I managed to drain the battery a few times, bringing me to the Super Power Saving Mode, which limits your phone’s functions.
That’s why I was surprised to find out that the phone actually has a huge 5,600mAh battery, which is super up there in terms of foldable phones. But I guess bigger screen, bigger battery needed.
Fine, I’ll talk about the AI
As you can tell, I’m not really someone who enjoys maximising AI features on a phone. Call me old school or dated. It’s just not something I really reach for or need.
But for people who do leverage those AI tools on their mobile devices, you’d be happy to know that the OPPO Find N5 does have AI Search, AI Assistant for Documents, AI Call Summary, and even an AI Translate Assistant. Dare I call it a Galaxy AI competitor?
Of course, there’s also the whole suite of Google smart features like Circle to Search and the Gemini app.
There’s also something called the AI LinkBoost, used to improve network connectivity, particularly in challenging environments.
The verdict
It’s all you could want in a phone, in a foldable.
But what’s the price?
Well, for all its frills and innovation, the OPPO Find N5 will set you back RM7,999—comparable to the likes of Samsung Z Fold6 and the Huawei Mate X6.
I feel like you do pay for what you get, but because of the steep pricing, it does seem like a bit of a stretch for the average person.
If you’re someone who loves tech and products that push boundaries, though, you’ll find (pun intended) that the Find N5 might have just what you need, so long as you’re willing to pay nearly RM8K for it.
VP Verdict is a series where we personally try and test out products, services, fads, and apps. Want to suggest something else for us to try? Leave a comment here or send the suggestion to our Facebook page.
