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For the past few years, we’ve seen Samsung take a commanding lead in the foldable smartphone space. There have been other options released, such as the Huawei Mate X2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, but now Oppo is getting in on the fun. And instead of releasing yet another phone that is narrow and potentially frustrating to use, the Oppo Find N takes a different approach.
The 5.49-inch Outer Display is small and pocketable, measuring smaller than most smartphones that have been released in the last year. This display is equipped with a 60Hz refresh rate and a 1972 x 988 resolution. But what makes this so interesting is that it’s actually a somewhat-familiar design with its 18:9 aspect ratio, compared to what we see from the likes of Samsung.
Unfold the Find N and you’ll be graced with a 7.1-inch foldable screen complete with a variable refresh rate ranging between 1Hz and 120Hz. It also sports a 1792 x 1920 resolution, along with offering up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness.
- Outer Display: 5.49-inches / 60Hz Refresh Rate / 1972 x 988
- Inner Display: 7.1-inches / Variable 120Hz Refresh Rate / 1792 x 1920
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 8GB / 12GB
- Storage: 256GB / 512GB
- Front Camera (Outer Display): 32MP, f/2.4
- Front Camera (Inner Display): 32MP, f/2.4
- Rear Cameras
- Wide (Sony IMX766): 50MP, 1/1.8, PDAF, 24mm, OIS
- Ultrawide (Sony IMX481): 16MP, f/2.2, 14mm
- Telephoto (Samsung S5K3M5): 13MP, f/2.4, 52mm
- Battery: 4,500mAh, 33W SUPERVOOC, 15W AIRVOOC, Reverse 10W Wireless Charging
- Software: ColorOS 12 based on Android 12
- Extras: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner, 1,000 nits peak brightness, Wi-Fi 6, 5G
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to foldable phones isn’t just how the screen will hold up. But it’s also the hinge as you won’t want to have to worry about dust and debris getting in between the screens or in the hinge itself.
With the Oppo Find N, the company combats with its revolutionary Flexion Hinge, which uses a total of 136 different components. The precision used in this hinge is incredible, as Oppo states that it was created with precision up to 0.01mm. The end result of this is a crease that is up to 80% less visible compared to the competition.
Not only that but the Oppo Find N “practically eliminates” any visible gap between the displays when the phone is folded. Oppo claims that this hinge and the design of the phone will offer better protection for the inner display as it won’t allow any debris to get in.
Oppo also states that the hinge is strong enough that it can be placed in pretty much any position you can imagine. The phone can act “as its own tripod”, allowing you to set it up for photos or take video calls without needing to use your hands or prop it up.
Now for the glass itself. Oppo is using a custom-designed Serene Display that uses a total of 12 different layers. This includes a layer of Flexion ultra-thin glass that measures in at just 0.03mm. This is half the size of standard glass that you’ll find, allowing for added flexibility.
In its testing, Oppo found that the display is capable of being folded more than 200,000 times before any weaknesses were found. All of this was done, while still ensuring that the phone won’t develop a crease over time and the act of folding and unfolding is still as smooth as the first time you use the phone.
When it comes to software, Android 12L has just hit its beta testing phase, meaning that the benefits for larger screens haven’t landed just yet. To compensate, Oppo has re-developed some of its key applications and the UI itself, in order to offer a better experience on a foldable device.
New gestures have been implemented in the software to make multi-tasking easier and more intuitive. When using compatible apps, you’ll be able to enjoy side-by-side apps just like you would expect. But these gestures also offer a unique take on the multi-tasking experience. For example, a two-finger swipe down the middle of the app will split the screen in half. And those worried about not being able to use an app on the outer display and inner display can rest easy, as unfolding the phone will force the app to take advantage of the larger screen.
One of the bigger complaints we have about the current crop of foldable smartphones is the subpar camera experience. Traditional phones have incredible cameras, but the hardware just hasn’t been made available in folding phones.
The Oppo Find N is equipped with a total of five cameras, with a selfie camera found on both displays and a triple camera setup on the back. As for the selfie cameras, the best part here is that they are the same 32MP sensor, so you won’t have to worry about different experiences based on what camera you want to use.
As for the main camera system, there’s a 50MP Sony IMX766 main sensor, accompanied by a 16MP ultra-wide lens and a 13MP telephoto camera. With these cameras, you’ll be able to capture all of your pictures and videos just as you would expect.
Plus, Oppo has brought software tweaks to make the experience even better. These include being able to fold your phone at different angles so you can prop it up or get the right shot. You’ll also be able to enjoy the new split-camera interface to take photos on one side, and then immediately share them on the other.
Last, but certainly not least, it’s time to talk about the battery. Oppo is packed a 4,500mAh cell into the Find N, matching up with what we already expected. But unlike the competition, it won’t take all day to get your phone juiced back up. This is made possible thanks to the 33W SUPERVOOC charging technology, taking your phone from 0-55% in 30 minutes, and up to 100% in just 70 minutes. We also have 15W AIRVOOC charging capabilities for those who would prefer to use wireless charging.
Pricing for the Oppo Find N has not yet been revealed, but we expect that to change soon. The phone will officially launch in China on December 23, but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that the Find N will make its way to other regions.
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