The Oppo A38 is a budget-friendly smartphone that caters to users seeking a reliable device for everyday use. Launched as part of Oppo’s A-series, the A38 is designed to offer a balance between performance, design, and affordability. It is targeted at users who prioritize essential features such as a decent camera, long battery life, and a user-friendly interface without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive overview, we will delve into the design, display, performance, camera, battery life, software, and other key features of the Oppo A38.

Design and Build Quality

The Oppo A38 boasts a sleek and modern design that is both aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic. The device features a plastic back with a glossy finish that gives it a premium look, although it is prone to fingerprints and smudges. The phone is available in multiple color options, allowing users to choose a variant that suits their personal style.

The device is lightweight and comfortable to hold, making it ideal for prolonged use. The rear panel houses a dual-camera setup along with an LED flash, while the front is dominated by a large display with a waterdrop notch for the front camera. The power button and volume rocker are conveniently placed on the right side of the device, ensuring easy access.

Display

The Oppo A38 features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While the resolution may not be the highest in its class, it is sufficient for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, watching videos, and using social media apps. The display offers decent color reproduction and brightness levels, making it suitable for indoor use. However, outdoor visibility may be slightly compromised under direct sunlight.

The waterdrop notch design maximizes the screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which adds a layer of durability against scratches and minor drops.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Oppo A38 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, which is a budget-oriented processor designed for entry-level smartphones. The Helio G35 is built on a 12nm process and features an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. The GPU is an IMG PowerVR GE8320, which handles basic gaming and graphical tasks.

The device comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card slot. While the RAM and storage may seem modest, they are adequate for multitasking and storing essential apps, photos, and videos. The Oppo A38 is capable of handling everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light gaming with ease. However, it may struggle with more demanding applications and games.

Camera

The Oppo A38 is equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The primary camera captures decent photos in well-lit conditions, with good detail and color accuracy. The depth sensor assists in creating a bokeh effect, which blurs the background and focuses on the subject, making it ideal for portrait shots.

The camera app offers various modes and features, including HDR, Panorama, and Night Mode. The Night Mode enhances low-light photography by reducing noise and improving brightness, although the results may not be as impressive as those from higher-end devices.

On the front, the Oppo A38 features a 5MP selfie camera housed within the waterdrop notch. The front camera is suitable for video calls and casual selfies, but it may not deliver the best results in low-light conditions. The camera app includes beauty modes and filters to enhance selfies, catering to users who enjoy social media and selfie photography.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Oppo A38 is its impressive battery life. The device is powered by a 5000mAh non-removable battery, which is more than capable of lasting a full day on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage. The large battery capacity ensures that users can enjoy extended hours of browsing, streaming, and gaming without constantly worrying about running out of power.

The Oppo A38 supports 10W charging via a micro-USB port. While the charging speed may not be the fastest, it is sufficient for a device in this price range. The inclusion of a large battery and efficient power management ensures that the device can keep up with the demands of modern smartphone usage.

Software and User Interface

The Oppo A38 runs on ColorOS, which is Oppo’s custom skin based on Android. The specific version of ColorOS and Android may vary depending on the region and release date of the device. ColorOS is known for its user-friendly interface and a plethora of customization options, allowing users to personalize their device according to their preferences.

The software experience on the Oppo A38 is smooth and intuitive, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. The device comes with a range of pre-installed apps and features, including a theme store, game space, and security center. Oppo also includes various gestures and shortcuts to enhance the user experience.

While ColorOS offers a rich set of features, it may come with some bloatware, which can be uninstalled or disabled to free up storage space. Regular software updates are essential for improving performance and security, and Oppo has a decent track record of providing updates for its devices.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Oppo A38 supports standard connectivity options, including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. The device also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones, allowing users to connect wired headphones without the need for an adapter.

The phone features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. Additionally, it supports face unlock, which uses the front camera to recognize the user’s face and unlock the device. Both biometric methods are fast and reliable, providing users with multiple options for securing their device.

The Oppo A38 also includes a range of sensors, such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which enhance the overall functionality of the device. The inclusion of a microSD card slot allows users to expand the storage capacity, making it easier to store large files, such as photos, videos, and apps.

Audio and Multimedia

The Oppo A38 offers a satisfactory multimedia experience, thanks to its large display and decent audio quality. The device features a single bottom-firing speaker, which delivers clear and loud audio, although it may lack depth and bass. For a more immersive audio experience, users can connect wired or Bluetooth headphones.

The device supports various audio and video formats, making it versatile for media consumption. The large battery ensures that users can enjoy extended hours of video playback without needing to recharge frequently. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature for users who prefer wired audio accessories.

Gaming Performance

While the Oppo A38 is not designed as a gaming smartphone, it is capable of handling casual games with ease. The MediaTek helio G35 chipset and Power VR GE8320 GPU provide sufficient power for games such as Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, and other lightweight titles. However, more graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile may require lower graphics settings to achieve smooth gameplay.

The device’s large battery ensures that users can enjoy extended gaming sessions without worrying about running out of power. The inclusion of a game space feature in coloros allows users to optimize their gaming experience by blocking notifications and freeing up system resources.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Affordable Price: The Oppo A38 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers good value for money.
2. Long Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery ensures extended usage without frequent recharging.
3. Decent Camera Performance: The dual-camera setup captures good photos in well-lit conditions, and the depth sensor enhances portrait shots.
4. User-Friendly Interface: ColorOS provides a smooth and intuitive user experience with plenty of customization options.
5. Expandable Storage: The microSD card slot allows users to expand the storage capacity, making it easier to store large files.

Cons:

1. Average Performance: The MediaTek Helio G35 chipset is suitable for basic tasks but may struggle with more demanding applications and games.
2. 720p Display: The HD+ resolution may not be as sharp as Full HD displays found in some competing devices.
3. Slow Charging: The 10W charging speed is relatively slow compared to other devices in the market.
4. Plastic Build: The glossy plastic back is prone to fingerprints and may not feel as premium as glass or metal builds.
5. Bloatware: The device comes with pre-installed apps that may not be useful to all users, and some cannot be uninstalled.

Conclusion

The Oppo A38 is a solid entry-level smartphone that offers a good balance of essential features at an affordable price. It is well-suited for users who prioritize battery life, camera performance, and a user-friendly interface. While it may not excel in areas such as performance and display resolution, it delivers a reliable and consistent experience for everyday use.

For those seeking a budget-friendly device that can handle basic tasks, multimedia consumption, and casual gaming, the Oppo A38 is a worthy contender. Its long battery life, decent camera, and expandable storage make it a practical choice for users who want a smartphone that covers the essentials without breaking the bank. However, users with more demanding needs or those who prioritize high-end performance and display quality may want to consider other options in the market.

Overall, the Oppo A38 is a testament to Oppo’s commitment to providing affordable smartphones that cater to a wide range of users. It may not be the most powerful or feature-packed device, but it offers a reliable and enjoyable smartphone experience for its price point.