Oppo A38 Review: Is This Budget Phone Worth It?

 Oppo A38 Review: Fuss-Free Performance for Daily Use:

The Oppo A38 aims to provide dependable functionality for core mobile needs at an affordable price. It achieves this goal competently with no unnecessary frills getting in the way.

Powered by the modest Unisoc T612 chipset, the A38 handles common tasks like messaging, calls, social media and light productivity apps without issue. You won’t be able to push demanding games but for basic usage, performance is smooth.

The 6.5-inch HD+ LCD screen serves up decent colors and contrast. It’s not the sharpest display at this cost, but perfectly acceptable for media consumption and browsing. A layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3.0 safeguards against minor bumps and scratches.

Its three rear cameras comprise a 13MP main, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth unit. While not winning any image quality awards, photos showed natural color rendition in bright lighting with pleasant dynamic range. Lowlight shots predictably produced darker results and noise.

Oppo’s ColorOS 12.1 provides a familiar experience based on Android 12. Bloating is minimal, offering a mostly clean interface. The 5,000mAh battery powers the device respectably for over a day of light mixed usage.

Priced under $200, few competitors deliver the same well-rounded feature set. The A38 earns its worth through dependable performance for daily chores and decent build quality. Its no-frills approach makes it suitable for basic use cases on a limited budget.

When observing the A38's strengths and limitations rationally, it functions exactly as intended for core smartphone tasks at an affordable cost. Entry-level mobile gamers or photographers may find it lacking, but others will appreciate its simplicity and reliability for essential duties within its means. For its asking cost, the A38 delivers fair value without unnecessary embellishments.

Specifications of Oppo A38

Category	Specifications
Build & Design	Android 13 OS, ColorOS 13.1, Dimensions: 163.7 x 75 x 8.2 mm, Weight: 190 g, Dual Sim (Nano-SIM)
Display	6.56 Inches IPS LCD Capacitive Touchscreen, 720 x 1612 Pixels (~269 PPI), 90Hz Refresh Rate, 720 nits (peak)
Processor & GPU	Octa-core (2 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 + 6 x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 (12nm), Mali-G52 MC2
Memory	128GB Built-in, 6GB RAM (+6GB Extended RAM), microSDXC
Camera	Dual Main Camera: 50 MP (wide) + 2 MP (depth), LED Flash, Front: 5 MP (wide)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.3, GPS, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Battery	5000 mAh, Fast charging 33W (50% in 30 min, advertised)
Price	Price in USD: $122

Prices of Oppo A38 :

Currency	Price
USD	$122
EUR	€115
GBP	£98
AUD	AU$170
CAD	CA$153
INR	₹8,999
JPY	¥12,900
CNY	¥798
RUB	₽9,000
SAR	SAR 459

Note: Prices are approximate and subject to change based on market fluctuations and currency conversion rates.

FAQs About Oppo A38 : 

Q: How is the camera quality compared to similarly priced phones?
A: Photo quality is average for the price, with adequate detail and balanced exposures in good lighting. Lowlight shots predictably showed more noise.

Q: Is the Unisoc T612 processor snappy enough for multi-tasking?
A: While not incredibly fast, the T612 ensures fluid operation when juggling basic everyday apps. Heavier loads may induce slight stutters.

Conclusion: 

As an inexpensive no-frills handset, the Oppo A38 competently handles essential smartphone duties without frills. Its dependable performance and construction make it a sensible choice for those on a tight budget prioritizing reliability over thrills. Just don’t expect flagship-level specs or experiences.