Buzz
A compact version of the popular mid-range phone OPPO F5, F5 Youth almost preserves the design, hardware configuration, and best features of its predecessor. The most noteworthy reduction is the price, now only 6,190,000VND. This move indicates that OPPO is striving to let users experience the best technologies on a mid-range phone, such as AI selfie camera, fast facial unlock, and versatile performance.
1. OPPO F5 Youth Review: Bringing AI Camera Closer to Consumers
A condensed version of the renowned mid-range phone OPPO F5, F5 Youth retains the design and best features of its predecessor. The most noteworthy aspect is the price, now only 6,190,000VND. This move indicates that OPPO is striving to let users experience the best technologies on a mid-range phone, such as AI selfie camera, fast facial unlock, and versatile performance.
Sleek and attractive edge-to-edge design, sharp display
Compared to OPPO F5, F5 Youth maintains the same design language, inheriting almost every detail from its predecessor. The rounded corners provide a comfortable grip, even when used single-handedly. The key difference between F5 and F5 Youth is that the latter does not feature two glossy metal strips on the top and bottom of the back. This sacrifices some elegance and fashion but contributes to the overall uniformity and seamlessness of the device.
Despite being made of faux metal material, F5 Youth has a fairly good finish, avoiding a cramped or uncomfortable feeling when placed in the pocket. The only minor drawback is that the screen protrudes slightly higher than the frame, making swiping from the edge a bit uncomfortable. Of course, if this aspect is not ideal, there will undoubtedly be another standout feature, as this is a mid-range product, and we cannot demand perfection in every aspect like high-end flagship phones.
The plus point is the 6-inch Fullview display of F5 Youth with a resolution up to Full-HD+, a rarity in this screen segment, providing good display quality and sharp images. Using an IPS LCD panel, F5 Youth's colors tend to be more authentic than overly vibrant, typical of AMOLED screens. The viewing angles are excellent, and the brightness is sufficient for outdoor use without discomfort. OPPO has collaborated well with software developers to optimize applications to make the most of the device's display space.
Good performance, extremely convenient face recognition
OPPO F5 Youth still uses the Helio P23 processor like its predecessor F5, with an 8-core Cortex-A53 chip co-engineered with MediaTek to enhance processing speeds. Paired with a Mali-G71 GPU and a 3,200 mAh battery, the device performs well in basic tasks, ensuring a smooth experience without lag. The reduced 3GB RAM still proves adequate for daily usage, providing a seamless experience for users throughout a day or more, depending on individual usage patterns.
Using a dedicated GPU for gaming and virtual reality applications, the F5 Youth delivers a satisfying gaming experience. Popular mobile games like Liên Quân Mobile, Mobile Legends Bang Bang, 3Q, etc., run smoothly for extended periods. The device remains cool during prolonged gaming sessions, and the internet connectivity holds up well even in areas with weak Wi-Fi or 4G signals, minimizing instances of lag.
No discussion of the F5-Series is complete without mentioning the facial unlock feature—a significant inclusion. Not only is this feature exclusive to OPPO products, but it also offers top-notch security. The convenience it provides is noteworthy; imagine unlocking your phone even when wearing a helmet and a face mask. The F5-Series excels in this aspect, offering users unparalleled convenience. A detailed video showcasing this feature is available for those interested, accessible through the provided link.
Good rear camera, outstanding front camera—No debate
The selfie camera on OPPO devices is consistently outstanding, and the F5 Youth is no exception. Featuring a 16MP sensor with AI capabilities for skin tone, gender recognition, and individualized beautification, it adapts to each user's preferences. As users take more selfies, the AI learns and adjusts to varying light conditions and angles, becoming smarter over time.
The photo quality from the F5 Youth's selfie camera, particularly in automatic beautification mode (when the AI is active), is strikingly beautiful and natural. Colors are accurately reproduced, with a healthy rosy hue rather than an overly bright, whitened effect seen in other beautification algorithms. The image detail is impressively high, although not quite on par with the F5 due to the latter's 20MP front camera.
OPPO usually doesn't prioritize the rear camera, but this year, the company has done a commendable job. Despite not equipping a dual-camera setup like some products in the same segment, the image quality from the 13MP f/2.2 camera of F5 Youth is top-notch. In well-lit conditions, OPPO F5 Youth focuses quickly, captures high-detail images with true-to-life colors, and leaves nothing to complain about. The HDR capability works impressively, balancing dark and bright areas harmoniously. In my test shot, even the cloud details were well-preserved.
Transitioning to low-light conditions, OPPO F5 Youth also impresses with vibrant colors, well-controlled noise, and entirely acceptable performance for its price range. An added advantage of the F5 Youth's rear camera is its ability to have a shutter speed of up to 16s, allowing users to create artistic photos directly on this device.
ColorOS 3.2 Interface with Plenty of Customization
ColorOS serves as the distinctive interface for OPPO devices, integrating numerous user-friendly features. However, the layout may seem a bit confusing, especially for those accustomed to Android's operating system. Resembling iOS on Apple iPhones, both the interface design and system app settings are consolidated in the main settings of the device. On the flip side, ColorOS 3.2 introduces gesture navigation, closely resembling iPhone X, though slightly challenging to use—particularly when accessing multitasking, requiring a swipe up from the bottom and holding for one second. A comprehensive overview of features on ColorOS 3.2 will be available soon.
Bringing AI Camera Closer to Consumers
In summary, the OPPO F5 Youth is a product targeting users looking for a phone with beautiful selfie quality, innovative features like facial unlock, unique gesture navigation at an affordable price, and a beautiful display. The device also offers sufficient performance for entertainment, be it watching movies or playing the most popular mobile MOBA games.
