The Oppo A3 4G and Realme 5 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The A3 4G prioritizes rapid charging and a newer chipset generation, while the 5 Pro leans on a more established, albeit older, processor and a proven endurance record. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Oppo A3 4G’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 1, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. While the A3 4G’s 45W charging is faster, the 5 Pro’s excellent battery life and overall performance balance make it the more well-rounded option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - version 1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - version 1 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 20 | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 20 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 76.1 x 7.7 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM-6115 Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen1 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 14, ColorOS 14 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, PD2.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 5100 mAh | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sparkle Black, Starry Purple, Starlight White | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | CPH2669, CPH3669 | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A3 4G
- Faster 45W charging with PD2.0/PPS
- Newer Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 chipset
- Potentially improved ISP capabilities
- Less powerful CPU and GPU compared to the Realme 5 Pro
- Limited camera details available
Realme 5 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 712 chipset
- Brighter display (512 nits)
- Proven 100-hour battery endurance
- Slower 20W charging
- Older chipset generation
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A3 4G and Realme 5 Pro feature displays with a 1875:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s measured peak brightness of 512 nits provides a brighter viewing experience, particularly outdoors. While neither phone boasts high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO, the Realme 5 Pro’s brighter display offers a tangible advantage in real-world usability. The nominal contrast ratio suggests both are using IPS LCD panels, prioritizing cost-effectiveness over OLED vibrancy.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially multiple secondary lenses. However, without specific megapixel counts or aperture details, a direct comparison is difficult. The Realme 5 Pro, historically, has focused on camera performance in its series, suggesting a potentially more refined image processing pipeline. The Oppo A3 4G’s newer chipset *could* offer improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, but this is speculative without further data. We can safely assume any 2MP macro lenses on either device will offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) significantly outperforms the Oppo A3 4G’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 (11nm). The 712’s Kryo 360 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, deliver a substantial CPU performance boost compared to the A3 4G’s 2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 cores. Furthermore, the 712’s Adreno 616 GPU offers superior graphics capabilities. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the 712’s architectural advantages translate to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The 10nm process node of the 712 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an impressive endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Oppo A3 4G’s 45W wired charging, supporting PD2.0 and PPS, can replenish 50% of the battery in just 30 minutes. The Realme 5 Pro’s 20W charging also reaches 50% in 30 minutes, but the A3 4G’s faster charging is a clear advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the faster charging, the Realme 5 Pro’s battery capacity is sufficient to match the A3 4G’s overall runtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A3 4G if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and are a light user who primarily focuses on social media, calls, and basic tasks. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, and photography, and appreciate a phone that can comfortably last a full day on a single charge. The 5 Pro is the better choice for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 in the Oppo A3 4G.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Oppo A3 4G compared to the 20W charging on the Realme 5 Pro in real-world use?
While both reach 50% in 30 minutes, the Oppo A3 4G’s 45W charging will continue to charge the battery at a faster rate *after* the initial 50%. This means a full charge will take less time on the A3 4G, making it ideal for users who need a quick top-up before leaving the house.
❓ Is the Realme 5 Pro likely to experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 712’s 10nm process node and the Realme 5 Pro’s thermal design should mitigate throttling to a reasonable extent. While some performance degradation is inevitable during extended gaming, it’s likely to be less pronounced than on the Oppo A3 4G due to the 712’s greater thermal efficiency.