If you have been looking for a phone to snap out of the ordinary, the OPPO F9Pro Smartphone is here to help you do just that. While most companies try to copy the same design cues, OPPO decided to bring something new to the table. This is especially true when referring to the design, as there are three very different finishes you can choose, none of which is low-key. Of course, features are not left to the side either. There are a few improvements in that department too, so if you are curious, keep on reading!
| Display | 6.30 inch |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio P60 (MT6771) |
| Operating system | Android Oreo |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Resolution | 1080×2340 pixels |
| Front camera | 25 megapixel |
| Rear camera | 16 megapixel + 2 megapixel |
| Battery | 3500 mAh |
F9Pro: Design
This is maybe the most interesting part about the F9Pro. The emphasis is on the back, as OPPO has come up with three extremely eye-catching finishes, all of them multi-coloured, patterned, and shimmery. Therefore, no discrete option is available. The first finish is called Sunrise Red, and it is a gradient of rich, deep crimson and violet, with a swirly diamond pattern. Next up, we have the Twilight Blue, which is similar in pattern, but different in colors, as they run from dark navy to light blue. Last but not least, Starry Purple is a gradient that runs from magenta to indigo with light speckles scattered across it. We think these options are pretty cool, and it is nice to have something that stands out in a crowd.
Another noticeable thing is the notch, which has been toned down. As a result, instead of the tab shape with ears that we got used to, now the notch has become a slight rounded dip in the centre of the top of the screen, where we find the front camera. Even though you can force the apps to block off the top of the screen in order to not make any content gouged out, it is not possible to camouflage the notch within a black bar.
F9Pro: Performance
Based on its performance in benchmarks, you might think that the F9Pro is quite weak. Also, it does not really compare to other similar models, like the Honor Play or the Huawei Nova 3i. Considering this, casual games seemed to run without any issues, but Asphalt 9:Legends, for example, definitely had some struggles. The gameplay was unenjoyable due to choppiness, and the menu and overall UI were sluggish. PUBG on the other hand, was far much better. Some things that got noticed were that the upper rear of the F9Pro got heated as soon as a heavier game got loaded, and it stayed that way for quite some time. As a conclusion, if you are passionate about mobile games, this phone is not really the one for you.
Battery
While the performance is hardly impressive, the F9Pro wins us back with its battery. With just 3500mAh, it is able to last 13 hours. One of the things that makes this possible is the low-power LTPS screen, together with the efficiency of the Helio P60 SoC processor, and also the optimisations built into ColorOS. With regular use, that includes some gaming, video streaming, and scrolling through social media, the battery can last up to the next morning. A downside is the huge VOOC charger, which can be very difficult to carry around. On the bright side, it is very efficient. A 10 minute charge can get you up to 19%, while 40 minutes to 75%.
Back camera
The camera app on the F9Pro reminds us of the iOS one, but slightly more packed. The main mode includes Timelapse, Slow-mo, Portrait, Sticker, Pano, and Expert modes along with the standard Photo and Video. The Portrait mode was quite demanding, as it requires to move closer to or farther away from the subjects. The Slow-mo and Timelapse video modes lacked any options to tweak, including the resolution.
At night time, the main issue is the focus, as it tends to lag. The photos have murky details and blurring can be detected, even when the slightest move happens.
Front camera
OPPO usually impresses with its front camera, but in the case of the F9Pro, things are different. While the faces have sharp details, the background is simply lost. Also, with the depth effect, it tends to be cartoony. On the bright side, the edge detection seems to be good enough. In low light conditions, the photos come out blurry and definitely not instagramable.
In conclusion, the F9Pro definitely impresses us with its unique design. This happens in a market where producers rarely take risks to put out something original, so it is clearly something to admire. Nevertheless, the main question is if the design will be powerful enough to make you overlook the performance of the phone? While the battery capacities are worthy, there are other areas where the F9Pro fails to impress. Of course, this is your decision to make, so if you want to give it a shot, you can find it on AliExpress. Let us know about your experience!
