Oppo has a history of delivering stylish and affordable smartphones. The Oppo A36 and Oppo R15, while separated by a few years, both target the budget-conscious consumer. But which one offers the better value in today's market? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A36 boasts a more modern chipset and efficient 6nm process, potentially offering better performance and battery life. However, the Oppo R15's design and potentially better camera (based on era) might appeal to some. Ultimately, the A36 likely edges out the R15 for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2018, March. Released 2018, April |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 14 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 155.1 x 75.2 x 7.4 mm (6.11 x 2.96 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.28 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), ColorOS 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.6", 1.22µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3450 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Hot Red, Snow White, Star Purple, Fantasy Pink |
| Models | PESM10 | PACM00, CPH1835, PACT00, PAAT00 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 460 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 140161 (v7)
GeekBench: 5806 (v4.4) |
Oppo A36
- Modern Chipset (Snapdragon 680)
- Efficient 6nm Process
- Larger Battery (Likely 5000mAh)
- Potentially Longer Software Support
- Likely LCD Display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
- Camera may not be as refined as R15's
Oppo R15
- AMOLED Display (superior colors and contrast)
- Compact Design
- Established Camera System (from its time)
- Older Chipset (Helio P60)
- Less Efficient 12nm Process
- Smaller Battery (3200mAh)
- Likely Limited Software Support
Display Comparison
The Oppo A36 features a 6.5-inch display, likely with a resolution of 1600 x 720 (HD+). The Oppo R15 had a 6.26-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 (FHD+). The R15's AMOLED display offers superior color accuracy, contrast, and viewing angles compared to the A36's likely LCD panel. The A36's larger size might be preferable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo R15 was known for its dual-camera setup with a 16MP + 20MP configuration, including a popular portrait mode. The Oppo A36 likely features a 50MP main camera, but image processing and overall camera quality are heavily dependent on software. While the A36's higher megapixel count suggests more detail, the R15's established camera system might still deliver pleasing results.
Performance
The Oppo A36's Snapdragon 680 (6nm) offers a significant advantage in efficiency and potentially raw performance over the Oppo R15's Helio P60 (12nm). The Kryo 265 cores in the Snapdragon 680 are generally more powerful than the Cortex-A73/A53 combination in the Helio P60. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the A36.
Battery Life
The Oppo A36 likely has a 5000mAh battery, offering excellent battery life. The Oppo R15 had a 3200mAh battery. The A36's larger battery capacity, combined with the Snapdragon 680's efficiency, should result in significantly longer battery life.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A36 is ideal for users prioritizing modern performance, efficiency, and a longer software support lifespan. The Oppo R15 might be a good choice for those seeking a more compact design and a potentially more refined camera experience, especially if found at a significantly discounted price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo A36 worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the Oppo A36 offers a good balance of performance and features for its price, especially considering its modern chipset and large battery. However, consider newer alternatives if available.
❓ How does the Oppo R15 compare to other phones from its era?
The Oppo R15 was a popular phone known for its design and camera. It still holds up reasonably well for basic tasks, but its performance and battery life are noticeably behind modern devices.