The Oppo A1 (2018) and Huawei Y7 Prime (2019) represent a common consumer dilemma: maximizing value in the budget smartphone segment. Both devices aimed to deliver a functional Android experience at an accessible price point, but they took different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those choices and their implications for everyday use.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance, the Oppo A1 (2018) offers a slight edge due to its higher clocked CPU. However, the Huawei Y7 Prime (2019) compensates with a more efficient 14nm process, potentially leading to better battery life and less thermal throttling during prolonged tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, March. Released 2018, April | 2019, January 01. Released 2019, January 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 73.1 x 7.7 mm (5.93 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 158.9 x 76.9 x 8.1 mm (6.26 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP1 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), ColorOS 3.2 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep sea blue, Cherry red, Pearl white | Aurora Blue, Midnight Black, Coral Red, Brown |
| Models | - | DUB-LX3 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Oppo A1 (2018)
- Higher CPU clock speed for potentially faster performance.
- May offer a slightly more responsive user experience in short bursts.
- Likely a competitive price point at launch.
- Less efficient 16nm process may lead to shorter battery life.
- Potential for more thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Charging speed not specified, potentially slower than the Y7 Prime.
Huawei Y7 Prime (2019)
- More power-efficient 14nm process for longer battery life.
- 10W wired charging for convenient replenishment.
- Potentially better thermal management during prolonged use.
- Lower CPU clock speed may result in slightly slower performance.
- May exhibit minor lag in demanding applications.
- Camera performance likely similar to the Oppo A1.
Display Comparison
Neither device is known for display prowess, and detailed display specs are unavailable. However, given their market positioning, both likely utilized IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The lack of information prevents a direct comparison of brightness or color accuracy. Bezels were likely substantial on both, typical for this price bracket in 2018/2019.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited. Both phones likely featured a primary rear camera and a secondary depth sensor. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market segment, image quality would have been comparable, focusing on adequate performance in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP depth sensor on both devices suggests a focus on portrait mode effects, but the quality of these effects would have been limited by the sensor's capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A1’s Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23, built on a 16nm process, features an octa-core CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz. Conversely, the Huawei Y7 Prime utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm) with an octa-core CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz. While the Helio P23 boasts a higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 450’s 14nm fabrication process is more efficient, meaning it consumes less power for the same amount of work. This translates to potentially better thermal management and longer battery life. The lower clock speed on the Snapdragon 450 will result in slightly slower single-core performance, noticeable in app launch times, but the architectural efficiency may close the gap in sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Huawei Y7 Prime (2019) includes 10W wired charging, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the Oppo A1. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 450’s superior power efficiency suggests the Y7 Prime would likely achieve longer battery life on a single charge. The 10W charging, while slow by modern standards, would provide a reasonable recharge time for the likely battery capacity of around 3000-4000 mAh. The Oppo A1, lacking specified charging details, may have slower charging speeds or require a less efficient charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A1 (2018) if you frequently engage in moderately demanding tasks like social media, light gaming, and multitasking, and are willing to potentially sacrifice some battery life for a snappier experience. Buy the Huawei Y7 Prime (2019) if battery longevity and consistent, albeit slightly slower, performance are your priorities, making it ideal for users who primarily browse, communicate, and consume media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A1 (2018) struggle with modern app updates due to its older chipset?
While the Helio P23 was adequate for its time, newer app updates are increasingly demanding. The Oppo A1 may experience slowdowns or compatibility issues with some resource-intensive applications, especially those optimized for newer chipsets. The Y7 Prime, while also older, benefits from Qualcomm's generally better software support.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 450 in the Huawei Y7 Prime powerful enough for basic mobile gaming?
The Snapdragon 450 can handle basic mobile games at lower settings. However, demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile will likely require significant graphical compromises and may still experience frame rate drops. The Oppo A1's higher clock speed might offer a slightly better gaming experience, but neither phone is a dedicated gaming device.
❓ How does the 14nm process of the Snapdragon 450 impact real-world battery life compared to the 16nm Helio P23?
The 14nm process is more efficient, meaning the Snapdragon 450 consumes less power for the same level of performance. This translates to longer battery life during typical usage scenarios like browsing, calling, and social media. Expect the Huawei Y7 Prime to last noticeably longer on a single charge than the Oppo A1, especially with moderate to heavy use.
