You take a big screen, throw in some colours, add a mid-range processor to the recipe and add two camera holes at the back and you get the new Oppo K3. This is Oppo’s foray into re-igniting its mid-range game after the company detoured into the premium segment with the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom.
The K3 has been priced at Rs 16,990 and looks to attract customers hunting for a phone under Rs 20,000.
So, does the K3 have the wherewithal to take on stiffer competition from the likes of the Xiaomi or the Honor phones in this segment?
To know better, here’s a quick look at the Oppo K3.
Design & Display
Not that the phone is an engineering marvel, the makers of the K3 have at least ensured that the phone appeals to the eye. The overall estate gives the impression of a “big phone” yet in the hand it feels compact.
It is wider than a conventional 6.5-inch display phone. However, due to its plastic build you don’t feel the extra bulk in the hand.
It comes with an AMOLED screen which is a treat for people who consume a lot of video content on their phones. The fact that it has no notch and no punch hole gives it some extra points.
Hardware & Storage
The Oppo K3 isn’t a beast although gets most of the work done. It comes with a mid-range Snapdragon 710 processor coupled with 6GB of RAM. Running on Android the Oppo K3 runs the latest version of ColorOS 6.
It’s not the best device to be gaming on especially if you’re loading multiple applications at the same time. However, you will be able to easily squeeze a few rounds of PUBG on low graphics settings.
It doesn’t offer expandable storage so make sure you invest in the 128GB version rather than the 64GB version of the phone.
What I likes about the Oppo K3 is the fact that it offers a 3.5mm headphone jack and has also moved on to the USB-Type C port.
Camera & Battery
The Oppo K3 comes with a dual rear-camera setup and a pop-up selfie camera. On the back, it features a 16+2-megapixel sensor while the front has a motorised 16-megapixel shooter.
We took some sample with the rear camera. Considering the price range we feel it’s a decent camera setup.
Shot on Oppo K3
(Photo: The Quint)
It isn’t the best camera in the price range considering the Xiaomi K20 and the Honor 20 bring a lot more optics to the game but still, it manages to justify its price tag.
The Oppo K3 comes with a 3,765mAh battery that comes bundled with a 20W VOOC charger from Oppo. It won’t take you more than a day on average use, but the VOOC charger will make sure you get at least 60 percent battery juice within 30 minutes if you’re in a hurry and low on charge.
Initial Verdict
There’s been a myth among the smartphone buyers in the country that Oppo doesn’t make good phones. Well, it turns out Oppo has busted that myth and answered its critics by making phones like the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom.
The company is looking to translate the same success in the mid-range market with the K3.
You will have to compromise on certain bits about the Oppo K3 as it’s not one of the cleanest in terms of the interface and neither is the camera stellar. However, it does make up with a big screen and a battery that’s sure to satisfy.
The Oppo K3 is a good phone to consider under the Rs 20,000 bracket, but if you’re still sceptical, you can always look at options like the Xiaomi K20 or even the Samsung Galaxy M40.
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