Oppo Launches Oppo A6 Pro 5G and 4G In Kenya

After weeks of global anticipation and confirmation of its release in the Kenyan market, Oppo has officially launched the A6 Pro series in Kenya, despite earlier reports of downgraded specifications. The Oppo A6 Pro aims to offer premium specifications at a budget-friendly price, including 5G connectivity and a premium build and design.

Oppo A6 Pro 5G - Power Meets Style.

The Oppo A6 Pro 5G features a nice build with a higher IP rating, excellent performance, albeit not the best in its class, and good cameras. It also boasts a nice display and a strong build overall, which meets the U.S. military standard certification.

Key Specifications of Oppo A6 Pro 5G

Processor and RAM Options.

The Oppo A6 Pro 5G is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset (6nm). While this processor capably handles daily tasks, it doesn't offer exceptional power despite being a 5G chipset. I compared it with the Helio G99 from Mediatek and found that the Helio G99 is almost on par with the Dimensity 6300, according to nanoreview.

For example, in Geekbench tests, the Dimensity 6300 scored 782 in single-core performance compared to the Helio G99's 729. In multi-core performance, the Dimensity 6300 achieved 2012, while the Helio G99 scored 1979. This represents a 7% improvement in single-core scores and only a 2% improvement in multi-core scores for the Dimensity 6300. AI Boost 2.0 adapts to your gameplay in real time, providing enhanced graphics and quicker responses. To ensure smooth, lag-free performance during intense gaming and multitasking, the phone incorporates a SuperCool VC system designed for rapid and efficient heat dissipation. The Oppo A6 Pro 5G has three storage options: 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, and 256GB 12GB RAM with UFS 2.2.

Display and refresh rate:

The 6.57-inch AMOLED display is compact and features a 1080 x 2372 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. This ensures vibrant, punchy colors and excellent outdoor visibility, thanks to a peak brightness of 1400 nits. The 120Hz refresh rate will come in handy for gamers as it will help them play games at higher fps, and multitasking will be smooth on this phone.

Battery and charging speed.

A major advantage of this phone is its substantial 7000mAh battery. This battery is a silicon-carbon type, which is a form of lithium-ion battery that uses a blend of silicon and carbon in its anode. The included 80W SuperVOOC flash charger delivers impressive charging speeds, with Oppo stating a full charge can be achieved in just one hour.

Camera configuration:

The phone features a 50MP main camera that captures good photos, especially in well-lit conditions. The 2MP depth sensor, however, is largely ineffective and offers no practical benefit. The front-facing camera features a 16MP main sensor. Both the front and rear cameras support video recording limited to 1080p at up to 60fps.

Oppo A6 Pro 4G - Same look, Affordable Price

For those on a tight budget seeking an experience similar to the 5G variant, Oppo has also launched a 4G version of the Oppo A6 Pro series. They share a lot of similarities, including the battery, display, camera, and build quality. The 4G variant, powered by a Mediatek Helio G100, offers performance comparable to the 5G variant.

Camera:

The device is equipped with a 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth camera on the rear, while the front features a 16MP camera. Both front and rear cameras are capable of 1080p video recording. The rear camera supports up to 120fps for video recording, and the front camera supports up to 30fps. Due to processor limitations, 4K resolution is not supported.

Display:

The AMOLED display measures 6.57 inches and offers a 120Hz refresh rate with 1 billion colors. Its 1400 nits peak brightness makes it perfect for outdoor visibility. The device features a display with a resolution of 1080 x 2372 and an impressive 88.5% screen-to-body ratio, indicating minimal bezels. Additionally, an optical under-display camera is integrated into the display.

Performance and Storage

The phone features a Mediatek Helio G100 (6nm) processor, which offers efficient performance for daily tasks. This powerful processor ensures smooth multitasking and quick loading of web pages.

The Oppo A6 Pro 4G offers two storage configurations: 128GB with 8GB RAM and 256GB with 8GB RAM, both utilizing UFS 2.2. Storage can be further expanded via an SD card.

Battery and charging speed.

Similar to the 5G model, the 4G version features an identical 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 80W SuperVOOC charging, allowing it to fully charge in 60 minutes. For most users, the battery should last a full day, depending on individual usage. Heavy users, such as those who play many games, may need to charge their phone twice daily.

However, for those who primarily use their phone for social media, calls, and emails, the battery can last one to two days. The A6 Pro 4G will be among the most affordable Oppo phones in the Kenyan market.

Design and Build - Sleek and Modern Aesthetics

The design of these two smartphones is eerily similar from the back side, from the ports to the front of the display. The Oppo A6 Pro series features a camera island on its rear, housing what appears to be three camera sensors, though only one is functional. Additionally, there's a flashlight and Oppo branding at the bottom. At the front, there is a hole-punch selfie camera, and the bezels are very slim at 1.67mm on both phones. The right side of the device features the volume rocker keys and a power button, positioned at the top. A secondary microphone is included for noise cancellation. At the bottom, you will find the USB-C port, speakers, and a microphone. The Oppo A6 Pro series features an AGC DT-Star D+ display and is MIL-STD 810H compliant. Both phone has IP 68/69 rating and they can be submerged in water up to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Software of the Oppo A6 Pro 5G and 4G

Both phones come with Android 15 out of the box on top of Oppo’s own colourOS 15. While official details on software update years for the Oppo A6 Pro series are not yet available, Oppo's history suggests that both the 5G and 4G models will likely receive two years of OS updates and three years of security patches. Both utilize AI LinkBoost 3.0, guaranteeing seamless video calls, gaming, and downloads. This technology intelligently adapts to your surroundings, optimizing signal performance even in weak signal areas.

Price in Kenya and Availability

The Oppo A6 Pro series will be available in two variants: the 4G version priced at KES 35,999 and the 5G version at KES 41,999. Purchasers will also receive Oppo Enco buds, a one-year free screen plan, and a one-year liquid protection plan.

The Oppo A6 Pro series is available for purchase at authorized Oppo retail stores and through partners such as Safaricom and Phoneplacekenya. Customers can also buy the phones from online platforms like Jumia, Kilimall.

Final Verdict - Should you buy the Oppo A6 Pro?

The Oppo A6 Pro series is are versatile smartphone that boasts flagship specifications. It features a 120Hz refresh rate, an IP68/69 rating, and robust build quality. While the Dimensity 6300 is adequate, it doesn't quite justify the cost. For a similar price, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G offers a richer feature set, making it a more compelling option compared to the Oppo A6 Pro 5G. The 4G version is an excellent option for budget-conscious individuals, offering great value for its price. For a modest performance upgrade, gamers should consider the Oppo A6 Pro 5G. However, for everyday users, such as students, the 4G version is perfectly adequate for daily tasks and offers a comparable experience to the 5G variant.