A Generous Pre-Order Offer

OPPO has a reputation for providing attractive gift sets during new product launches, and the X5 Pro is no exception.

Currently, pre-orders are live, and those who order before March 23rd will receive a selection of accessories valued at nearly £400.

This is what OPPO sent me, and it’s quite an impressive assortment. The well-packaged box includes:

• OPPO Enco X earbuds (valued at £169)
• OPPO Watch Free (valued at £89)
• AirVOOC 50W wireless charger (valued at £75)
• Kevlar Aramid protective case (valued at £40)

I’ll elaborate more in my video review, but it’s a thoughtful and genuinely useful set of items. The Watch Free is a great addition for anyone interested in basic fitness and sleep tracking without the hassle of nightly recharging.

Additionally, those Enco X earbuds are exceptional, nearly rivaling the AirPods Pro—no exaggeration.

Pricing and Specifications

The X5 Pro comes with a price tag of £1,049 in the UK, cementing its status as a flagship device. Available in Glaze Black or Ceramic White, it operates on ColorOS (OPPO’s Android variant), supports 5G connectivity, and is powered by the newly released Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip.

It features 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, backed by a robust 5,000mAh battery, which is secured with IP68-rated water and dust resistance.

This phone is on the pricier side, placing it in direct competition with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Design

Visually, this smartphone is striking.

My review unit is in Glaze Black, and while I would have preferred the Ceramic White option, there’s no denying the premium look of the darker color.

The design is highlighted by its ceramic rear, which is not only stunningly shiny but also the most ergonomic phone I’ve handled. There’s no traditional camera bump, as it seamlessly integrates into the back casing, thanks to the ceramic sheet's wraparound design.

The overall look is futuristic, and while it may not appeal to everyone, I believe OPPO’s approach to the camera bump should be the standard for all smartphones.

That said, there are a few drawbacks.

As expected, the back of the device is a magnet for fingerprints and smudges. It looks stunning right out of the box (and after a quick polish), but once you start using it, it quickly becomes a mess. However, most users will likely opt for a case, which mitigates this issue.

You’ll want to grab a case immediately because this is the slippiest phone I’ve ever used. Honestly, you can set it on a flat surface, and it will start sliding. On the bright side, it has revealed that my breakfast bar isn’t as level as I thought!

Despite these quirks, the X5 Pro is undeniably the most attractive smartphone I’ve encountered.

Display

OPPO has equipped the X5 Pro with a 6.7" AMOLED display. It offers the option to set resolutions at either 1080p or 1440p, making it as sharp as the exquisite S22 Ultra screen.

Similar to the Galaxy line and iPhone Pros, it features a variable refresh rate, ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, depending on usage. Having recently transitioned to high refresh rate screens, I can attest that the OPPO is just as fluid as the others I’ve tested.

You can set it to a steady 60Hz if desired, but that feels akin to throttling the performance of a BMW M6—why would you?

The display is bright, boasting 800 nits (1,300 nits peak) and supporting 10-bit color and HDR10+ video, making it highly vibrant and easily readable in direct sunlight.

There are minimal side bezels on this phone, enhancing the expansive screen experience, though this leads to a minor annoyance: when holding it one-handed, you may inadvertently trigger something on the screen due to the slightly rounded edges. This doesn’t occur with a case, but it can be frustrating.

Nonetheless, the OPPO screen is undeniably excellent, featuring a ‘Nature Tone Display’ similar to Apple’s True Tone—a feature notably absent from the S22 Ultra.

Biometric Security

Like the S22 Ultra, the X5 Pro includes both fingerprint and facial recognition for biometric security.

Both methods work effectively. OPPO has cleverly integrated their facial recognition technology into a hole-punch camera, while the fingerprint sensor is conveniently hidden beneath the display.

The more I use these ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, the more I appreciate them. They operate flawlessly, remain invisible, and feel entirely intuitive. I would argue they offer greater security than facial recognition systems, which are likely less secure than Apple’s Face ID due to the absence of numerous sensors.

Rumors suggest that the iPhone may soon retire its notch, but personally, I would welcome an under-display Touch ID any day.

Performance and ColorOS

The X5 Pro is among the first smartphones to utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. This is my first encounter with this processor (as my S22 Ultra runs on the Exynos version), and I’m thoroughly impressed.

This phone feels incredibly responsive and quick, comparable to an iPhone. While I’m not one for benchmarks, in daily usage, it certainly lives up to its flagship smartphone status.

I’m also fond of ColorOS, OPPO’s iteration of Android. It deviates slightly from stock Android in certain areas, but it’s never intrusive or bloated.

Camera

Housed within the elegantly designed camera bump are three lenses powered by OPPO’s MariSilicon image processor, which includes:

• 50mp f1.7 standard lens
• 50mp f2.2 ultra-wide lens
• 13mp f2.4 telephoto lens

Upon first inspecting the X5 Pro, you might notice the name ‘Hasselblad’ on the back, which piqued my interest regarding its camera capabilities.

It turns out, the collaboration with Hasselblad pertains solely to software, leading to three filters created in partnership with Hasselblad photographers, along with a ‘pro’ mode that provides manual control over the camera settings.

While it doesn’t offer the features of a Hasselblad camera, the results from the filters are impressive. Here are examples of all three:

Radiance (forgive the soft focus):

Serenity:

Emerald:

In terms of everyday performance, the camera is quite competent. It may not blow you away, but the images are sharp, well-saturated, and the white balance is generally accurate.

The night mode, however, is where the X5 Pro truly excels. The following image was captured in a poorly lit setting, showcasing challenging contrasts, and the X5 Pro handled it impressively, even in handheld mode:

Overall, it’s a solid camera with exceptional low-light performance, but nothing beyond that. Video quality is similarly standard; while 4K footage is smooth, it doesn’t quite rival the capabilities of the iPhone.

Battery Life

Wow.

This phone can easily last two days on a single charge. With moderate use and careful adjustment of screen brightness, you might even stretch it to nearly three days.

It holds its own against the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which I consider the reigning champion of battery endurance.

Additionally, it's refreshing to receive a charger in the box. While I support efforts to reduce waste, having an 80W fast charger included adds a level of convenience that’s hard to overlook.

Competition

The X5 Pro faces stiff competition from several well-known brands, but I’ll focus on the two with which I have substantial experience.

The X5 Pro is priced identically to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Both devices are robust, feature excellent cameras, and boast impressive battery life. Their displays are comparable, although the X5 Pro’s screen benefits from minimal bezels, giving it an edge in that regard.

Both smartphones feel equally fast. Thus, the choice between them ultimately hinges on whether you prefer iOS and the Apple ecosystem or Android. There’s little else to set them apart.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is another significant competitor with which I’ve spent ample time. It retails for £100 more, and while it has some enticing promotions currently (like a 12-month Disney+ subscription and complimentary Galaxy Buds Pro), it doesn’t quite match OPPO’s generous pre-order offer.

Personally, I find the size of the S22 Ultra more appealing. Its wider form factor feels more substantial, making it a true all-in-one smartphone that could replace a tablet. The S Pen also serves as a distinguishing feature for some users.

However, in the camera department, the S22 Ultra surpasses the X5 Pro (and the iPhone 13 Pro Max) significantly. Its images strike an ideal balance, being neither overly saturated nor in need of extensive adjustments. I wish I could compare it with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 version for a more direct comparison against the X5 Pro, which is undeniably smoother in operation.

Conclusion

The X5 Pro is a visually stunning device that delivers on speed and features one of the finest displays available.

Its battery life is remarkable, and the build quality is exceptionally robust, reinforcing its flagship status and its competitive standing alongside the S22 Ultra and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

OPPO has crafted an exceptional device with this phone—its captivating design and generous pre-order incentives make it hard to resist for anyone in search of a new top-tier Android smartphone.

Claim your free OPPO gifts when you purchase the phone before March 23rd, 2022.

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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on March 15, 2022.