The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving. Today, we pit a modern budget contender, the Blackview A85, against a classic flagship, the OnePlus 3. Can a newer, more affordable device truly compete with a phone that once set the standard?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus 3 still holds its own thanks to its Snapdragon 820 chipset and excellent battery life. However, the Blackview A85 offers a more modern design and potentially better software support. For raw performance and longevity, the OnePlus 3 wins, but budget buyers will find value in the A85.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 22 | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 25 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.4 mm (6.01 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~272 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 101.5 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Optic AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS 3.0 | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, Auto HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.2", 1.4µm |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | Yes, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | 4480 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Sky | Graphite, soft gold |
| Models | - | A3003, A3000, SM-A3000 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.424(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 62dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2365Basemark X: 32715 |
Blackview A85
- Affordable
- Modern Design
- Potentially better software support
- Decent display
- Lower performance
- Less powerful camera
- Shorter battery life
- Unisoc chipset
OnePlus 3
- Powerful Snapdragon 820 chipset
- Excellent battery life
- Proven track record
- Good build quality
- Older device
- Potentially outdated software
- May be difficult to find in good condition
- Smaller screen
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a reported infinite contrast ratio and 4.424 sunlight visibility. The OnePlus 3 likely has better color accuracy and brightness due to its higher-end panel, but the A85's display is still adequate for everyday use. Screen size and resolution are likely different, with the A85 potentially having a larger display.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the OnePlus 3 likely has a superior camera system due to its higher-end components and image processing. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the OnePlus 3. The A85's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
The OnePlus 3's Snapdragon 820 is significantly more powerful than the Blackview A85's Unisoc T606. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the OnePlus 3. The A85 is sufficient for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 3 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 66 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Blackview A85's battery capacity is likely smaller, and its battery life will be shorter, although the Unisoc T606's efficiency might help somewhat.
Buying Guide
The Blackview A85 is ideal for users on a tight budget who need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks. The OnePlus 3 is a great choice for those seeking a powerful, well-built phone with a proven track record, especially if they can find one in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the OnePlus 3 still worth buying?
Yes, if you can find one in good condition, the OnePlus 3 remains a capable phone with excellent performance and battery life. However, be aware that software updates may be limited.
❓ What are the main differences between the Blackview A85 and the OnePlus 3?
The main differences are performance (OnePlus 3 is significantly faster), battery life (OnePlus 3 has much better endurance), and price (Blackview A85 is considerably more affordable).
