Oppo A98 5G: Sometimes a smartphone surprises you in unexpected ways. The Oppo A98 5G isn’t going to win any performance benchmarks or camera shootouts, but after spending several weeks with this device, I’ve come to appreciate what it does well – and understand why that might matter more than raw specifications.

First Impressions That Actually Last

Unboxing the A98 5G immediately reveals Oppo’s priorities. That Dreamy Blue colorway isn’t just marketing hype – it genuinely shifts between different hues as you move the phone around. It’s the kind of detail that makes you pause and think “okay, someone actually cared about this.”

The build quality feels more premium than the price suggests. Yes, it’s plastic, but it’s well-executed plastic that doesn’t creak or flex. At 192 grams, it has enough heft to feel substantial without becoming a burden during long calls or extended reading sessions. The flat edges look modern, though they can dig into your palm during marathon scrolling sessions.

What struck me most was the attention to practical details. The camera bump doesn’t wobble when the phone sits flat on a desk. The power button placement falls naturally under your thumb. These aren’t revolutionary features, but they’re the kind of thoughtful touches that improve daily usability in subtle ways.

The Display That Gets Outdoor Usage Right

Here’s where the A98 5G genuinely impresses. That 6.72-inch LCD panel reaches 680 nits of brightness, which translates to actual outdoor visibility. I tested this extensively during a recent trip to Sydney, and unlike many budget phones that become useless mirrors in sunlight, the A98 remained perfectly readable.

The 120Hz refresh rate implementation deserves recognition for being smarter than most. Instead of just defaulting to maximum refresh rates and draining battery, it actually adapts based on what you’re doing. Reading an article? It drops to 30Hz to save power. Scrolling through Instagram? Back up to 120Hz for smooth motion. It’s the kind of intelligent feature implementation that feels mature.

Color reproduction leans toward the vivid side rather than accuracy, but for most users consuming social media and streaming content, this creates more engaging visuals. The viewing angles remain consistent, and text stays sharp even at smaller font sizes.

Performance That Knows Its Limits

The Snapdragon 695 processor isn’t going to set any speed records, and Oppo seems to understand this. Instead of trying to artificially boost benchmark scores, they’ve focused on consistent, reliable performance for typical usage patterns.

Social media apps launch quickly. Web browsing feels responsive. Photo processing happens without frustrating delays. Where it struggles is intensive gaming – titles like Genshin Impact require significant graphics compromises, and even then, frame rates can become inconsistent during busy scenes.

The 8GB of RAM, expandable to 16GB through Oppo’s virtual RAM feature, helps maintain smooth multitasking. Apps stay in memory longer than expected, reducing the need for frequent reloading. It’s not flagship-level performance, but it’s competent enough for most users’ needs.

Battery Life That Changes Daily Habits

This is where the A98 5G truly shines. The 5,000mAh battery consistently delivers two full days of moderate usage, and even heavy users will comfortably get through complete days without battery anxiety.

But the real game-changer is that 67W charging. Full charges in 43 minutes aren’t just convenient – they’re liberating. Running low on power before heading out? A 10-minute charge provides hours of usage. It fundamentally changes how you think about device power management.

The Battery Health Engine technology promises over 1,600 charge cycles while maintaining 80% capacity. If accurate, this means the phone should maintain excellent battery performance for four-plus years – addressing one of the biggest long-term concerns with smartphone ownership.

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Camera Reality Check

The camera system delivers exactly what you’d expect from a mid-range device – competent results in good lighting, struggles in challenging conditions. The 64MP main sensor captures detailed photos with vibrant colors that look great on social media.

The 40x microscope lens sounds gimmicky but proves surprisingly useful for detailed macro photography. It’s the kind of feature that you don’t think you need until you start using it regularly.

Low-light performance reveals the system’s limitations. While night mode helps, don’t expect flagship-quality results. For users who primarily shoot in good lighting and share photos on social platforms, it’s adequate. For photography enthusiasts, it’s clearly limiting.

Oppo A98 5G Value Equation That Makes Sense

At around Rs. 22,999, the A98 5G occupies an interesting market position. It’s not the fastest phone in its price range, nor does it have the best cameras. What it offers is a balanced package that prioritizes daily usability over specification sheet bragging rights.

The combination of excellent battery life, genuinely fast charging, solid build quality, and a display that works well in all conditions creates a user experience that feels more premium than the price suggests. For users who value consistency and reliability over peak performance, it represents solid value in today’s smartphone landscape.