Oppo A59 5G review
The A59 suits people who commute with one pocket phone, spend most of their time on messaging and social feeds, and do not game or edit photos. Anyone who spends hours reading, wants to play newer mobile games, or demands a crisp screen should look at the competition; rivals at the same price offer measurably better displays and processors.
This review is based on Oppo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Oppo A59 5G, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The A59 5G is a thin, light phone with a big battery and brisk charging, aimed at everyday users who do not demand sharp screens or gaming performance. For €160, it delivers practical basics—messaging, social media, light video—but the 720p display and dated processor mean you are accepting real visual and speed compromises compared to what rivals offer at the same price.
Design & build
At 8.1 mm thick and 187 grams, the A59 is one of the trimmer phones you will hold at this price. It fits easily in jeans and feels light enough to forget you are carrying it. The Silk Gold and Starry Black finishes look understated rather than cheap. IP54 dust and splash resistance means light rain or a spilled drink will not kill it, but fully submerging the phone remains a bad idea. The tradeoff is that Panda Glass is not gorilla-proof, and the plastic frame is prone to scuffing. For a phone at €160, the build is adequate; nobody expects tank-like toughness, and the slimness is a real practical win.
Display
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD pushes 90 Hz, which keeps scrolling smooth. But the 720 x 1612 resolution spreads pixels thin, landing at about 269 ppi—noticeably softer than modern budget phones that ship 1080p on the same screen diagonal. Text in email and web browsers shows the difference. The 480 nit typical brightness is fine indoors; peak brightness (600 nits) helps in sunlight, but you will not mistake this for a truly outdoor-friendly screen. For someone reading a lot of news or documents, the low pixel density is a real daily nuisance, not just a spec-sheet weakness.
Performance
The Dimensity 6020 is a mainstream midrange chipset from 2022 that handles everyday apps—messaging, social, maps, music streaming—without drama. But load a demanding game or open a dozen apps at once, and the processor runs out of breath. Heavy multitasking brings noticeable lag. The 4GB base RAM model will slow down sooner than the 6GB variant, especially with the modest Mali-G57 GPU. For light users, this is tolerable. Power users and mobile gamers need to look elsewhere; this phone is not going to keep up with even mid-tier rivals from 2024.
Software
ColorOS 15 on Android 13 (upgradable to Android 15) is Oppo's clean, reasonably fast skin. It does not heap on bloat, and the interface is straightforward. The promise of two major OS updates means the phone will stay supported until late 2025 at least, which is decent for a €160 device. ColorOS gets no awards for innovation, but it does not get in your way either.
Camera
The 13MP wide camera with f/2.2 aperture and PDAF is competent in daylight but unremarkable. Images are sharp enough for social media but lack the color accuracy and dynamic range of even slightly pricier rivals. In low light, the small sensor and wide aperture hurt; photos turn muddy fast. The 8MP selfie cam is adequate for video calls but nothing more. Both cameras max out at 1080p video, which trails what many competitors offer. If photography matters at all to you, the A59 is a step down from what you should expect.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery is the A59's strongest suit. Real-world screen-on time lands between 6 and 7 hours with mixed use (social, browsing, a little video), and idle time extends that to a full day for light users. The 33W SuperVOOC charge is quick enough to refill 0 to 100 in about 40 to 50 minutes, giving you a meaningful top-up during a lunch break. Heavy users will want a charge by evening, but one full day is realistic for most.
Value & verdict-context
At €160, the A59 sits in the crowded entry-budget tier where every euro counts. The phone's real story is: slim, light, and good battery, but screen and performance are visibly behind what rivals pack. The 720p display is the biggest drawback for a 6.56-inch frame; most competitors at this price have moved to 1080p. The Dimensity 6020, while adequate, is also from 2022, and there are newer budget chips available. ColorOS is reliable, and the 5G support is nice, but you are not getting any standout features. This is a phone for someone who values thinness, light weight, and all-day battery over sharpness or speed. If screen clarity or gaming matter at all, the budget elsewhere is better spent.
Verdict
The A59 suits people who commute with one pocket phone, spend most of their time on messaging and social feeds, and do not game or edit photos. Anyone who spends hours reading, wants to play newer mobile games, or demands a crisp screen should look at the competition; rivals at the same price offer measurably better displays and processors.
- 5000 mAh battery survives a full day of mixed use; 33W charging tops it in roughly 40 minutes
- Slim 8.1 mm build and 187 g weight make it genuinely pocketable
- Dual SIM and microSD expansion for people who juggle numbers or need extra storage
- 5G connectivity on supported bands, future-proofing for networks rolling out now
- 720p resolution on a 6.56-inch screen makes text and detail noticeably softer than budget rivals shipping 1080p at this price
- Dimensity 6020 stutters under heavy multitasking and modern games; light use only
- 13MP main camera and 1080p video are basic even for budget class; poor low-light performance
Oppo A59 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, December 22 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2, IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | SuperVOOC up to 33 W |
| Software | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, ColorOS 15 |
| Dimensions | 8.1 mm thickness |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Oppo A59 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the A59 5G support 5G?
Yes. The A59 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the A59 5G use?
The A59 5G runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm).
What display does the A59 5G have?
A 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM), 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the A59 5G battery?
The A59 5G has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at SuperVOOC up to 33 W.
Does the A59 5G have NFC?
No, the A59 5G does not list NFC support.
Is the A59 5G water resistant?
The A59 5G carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the A59 5G support a microSD card?
Yes, the A59 5G supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Alternatives to consider
If the A59 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
A79 5G
A2 5G
A78 4G
A78 5G
Galaxy A06
