Oppo A98 5G review
The A98 5G suits buyers who want a large screen, solid battery life, and a phone that handles calls, video, and messaging without fuss—people who don't game hard or take a lot of photos. If you work in creative fields, chase performance, or want meaningful upgrades from an older phone, look elsewhere; the specs are already becoming dated, and rivals at this price offer better hardware for the same money.
This review is based on Oppo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Oppo A98 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 Oppo A98 5G is a straightforward midrange phone built around a large, bright LCD screen and a battery that easily lasts two days. It does everyday work well—messaging, video, light gaming—but the Snapdragon 695 and 1080p cameras feel dated even for 2023, and there's little here to justify choosing it over comparable rivals at the same price.
Design & build
At 192g and 8.2mm, the A98 5G is slim and light enough to forget in a pocket, though 192g puts it at the heavier end of midrange phones in its era. The flat sides and modest bezels keep it from feeling chunky. Panda Glass should resist scratches, and IPX4 splash resistance means accidental spills won't kill it, though you'll want to avoid deliberately dunking it. Build quality reads solid for the price, but there are no surprises—flat plastic back, no wireless charging, no rotating camera, just a practical slab that does the job.
Display
The 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel is one of the A98 5G's genuine strengths. At 392 ppi, the 1080 x 2400 resolution means text and icons are clear without being jaw-dropping, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through feeds feel smooth. Peak brightness of 680 nits (HBM) is bright enough to see outdoors, and 550 nits typical brightness is respectable for midrange. For a large screen, it strikes a good balance: bright enough to use in sunlight, smooth enough for casual browsing, and color rendition is pleasant if not vibrant. This is the phone's closest thing to a standout trait.
Performance
The Snapdragon 695 was a middle-of-the-road chip even in 2023. Day-to-day tasks—email, social media, video playback, light web browsing—run smoothly thanks to 8GB of RAM and ColorOS's generally lean behavior. But expect stuttering if you load heavy games like Genshin Impact at high settings, and sustained performance takes a hit under stress. Apps don't crash, but long compile times and lag become apparent during video editing or heavy photo processing. For someone who uses their phone for calls, messages, and YouTube, it's plenty. For anything beyond that, you'll notice the aging silicon.
Software
ColorOS 14 on Android 13 (upgradable to Android 14) is Oppo's take on a clean overlay. It includes some bloat—extra apps you may not use—but it's not as cluttered as some rivals. Side-mounted fingerprint sensor works reliably, and the overall interface is responsive for basic tasks. You get two years of Android updates guaranteed, which is standard for this tier. Nothing feels broken or sluggish for ordinary use, though you won't find clever productivity features or deep customization here.
Camera
The headline specs—64MP main, 32MP selfie, plus a 2MP macro—mask a mundane reality. The 64MP sensor with f/1.7 and PDAF has the tools to produce decent photos, but dynamic range is flat in bright sunlight, and there's no ultrawide lens to capture a wider view. Selfies at 32MP are detailed but not particularly flattering. Video maxes out at 1080p30, which is slow and soft compared to rivals offering 4K or at least 1080p60. In good light, you get usable shots for social media; in low light, noise creeps in quickly. The macro lens is a gimmick—fun for close-ups, pointless for everyday shooting. For a 290 EUR phone, the cameras won't embarrass you, but they won't impress either.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery is the practical hero here. With moderate use—an hour or two of video, messaging, and browsing—you'll easily reach the end of the day and have 20–30% left. Heavy users may hit dinner depleted, but most will see a second day of light use before charging. SuperVOOC charging is fast by 2023 midrange standards, though the exact wattage is absent from the spec sheet; expect 30–45 minutes from empty to full based on typical SuperVOOC performance. That's genuinely useful if you're in a hurry, and it beats the glacial 5W trickle-charging some budget rivals still rely on.
Value & verdict context
At 290 EUR, the A98 5G occupies the practical midrange where price matters as much as specs. You're paying for a roomy screen, solid battery life, and enough processing power for daily use, not for performance fireworks or camera artistry. A year into its lifecycle, it faces stiffer competition from rivals offering similar specs at the same price; what once felt fresh now feels competent but uninspired. Storage is expandable, 5G is present, and the build doesn't feel cheap. But there's nothing here that makes you want to choose it over a comparable phone from Samsung, Xiaomi, or even last year's Oppo models selling at a discount.
Verdict
The A98 5G suits buyers who want a large screen, solid battery life, and a phone that handles calls, video, and messaging without fuss—people who don't game hard or take a lot of photos. If you work in creative fields, chase performance, or want meaningful upgrades from an older phone, look elsewhere; the specs are already becoming dated, and rivals at this price offer better hardware for the same money.
- Large 6.72-inch 120Hz LCD display with solid brightness (680 nits peak) makes scrolling and video watchable
- 5000 mAh battery with fast SuperVOOC charging handles 1.5 to 2 days of real-world use without midday top-ups
- Expandable storage via microSD (up to 2TB) and IPX4 splash protection cover practical needs without extra cost
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor and NFC are present, which some budget phones still omit
- Snapdragon 695 was already mainstream midrange in 2023 and throttles noticeably under sustained load; forget demanding games or heavy multitasking
- 64MP and 32MP cameras are spec-sheet numbers that don't translate to sharp or detailed shots in real light; 1080p video only, no ultrawide
- Lacks the charging wattage spec, but SuperVOOC on a 5000 mAh battery likely means 30–45 minutes to full—acceptable but not a standout
Oppo A98 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, May 09 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/3.3, 34mm (microscope) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | SuperVOOC |
| Software | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14 |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Durability | IPX4 |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Oppo A98 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the A98 5G support 5G?
Yes. The A98 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the A98 5G use?
The A98 5G runs on the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm).
What display does the A98 5G have?
A 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (HBM), 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density).
How big is the A98 5G battery?
The A98 5G has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at SuperVOOC.
Does the A98 5G have NFC?
Yes, the A98 5G has NFC.
Is the A98 5G water resistant?
The A98 5G carries a IPX4 rating.
Does the A98 5G support a microSD card?
Yes, the A98 5G supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Alternatives to consider
If the A98 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
A1 5G
A2 Pro 5G
A78 4G
A78 5G
Galaxy M15 5G
