Oppo A5 (2020) vs. Infinix Note 7: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Oppo A5 (2020) and Infinix Note 7 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 to achieving this goal. The Oppo leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665, while the Infinix opts for MediaTek’s Helio G70. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a potentially smoother experience, the Infinix Note 7 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G70, built on a more efficient 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 665 in the Oppo A5 (2020), especially in gaming and multitasking. However, the Oppo's reverse wired charging is a unique advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A5 (2020) Infinix Note 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Launch
Announced2019, September 21. Released 2019, October2020, April 06. Released 2020, July
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions163.6 x 75.4 x 9.1 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.36 in)173.4 x 79 x 8.8 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1640 pixels (~258 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G52 2EEMC2
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1Android 10, XOS 6.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) 2 MP, f/1.8, (dedicated video camera) - 128/6 model only Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with dual speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market dependent)No
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingReverse wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMirror Black, Dazzling WhiteForest Green, Aether Black, Bolivia Blue
ModelsCPH1931, CPH1959, CPH1933, CPH1935, CPH1943X690B, X690
PriceAbout 170 EUR-

Oppo A5 (2020)

  • Unique reverse wired charging capability
  • Established brand reputation
  • Potentially more refined software experience

  • Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 665)
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Potentially lower gaming performance

Infinix Note 7

  • More powerful chipset (Helio G70)
  • Faster 18W wired charging
  • Better performance for gaming and multitasking

  • Less established brand reputation
  • Potentially less refined software experience
  • Lacks reverse wired charging

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this segment. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the focus here is on the chipsets powering the phones. Display quality will likely be similar, with both offering adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use. Bezels are expected to be moderate on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature multi-camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both is likely more for marketing than practical use. The primary sensor’s size and aperture will be the determining factors in image quality, but this information is unavailable. Image processing algorithms will also play a role, with Oppo typically favoring more vibrant, saturated images, while Infinix may lean towards a more natural look. The lack of OIS on either device suggests low-light performance will be limited.

Performance

The core battleground is the chipset. The Infinix Note 7’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) holds a significant advantage over the Oppo A5 (2020)’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 12nm process node of the Helio G70 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. The Helio G70’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a more potent combination of performance and efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 665’s Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). While both are octa-core, the Cortex-A75 cores in the Helio G70 are more powerful than the Kryo 260 Gold cores in the Snapdragon 665. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Infinix.

Battery Life

The Infinix Note 7’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Oppo A5 (2020), which only offers reverse wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Helio G70 chipset in the Infinix Note 7 will likely result in comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Oppo. The 18W charging will significantly reduce charging times, allowing users to quickly top up their device when needed. The Oppo A5 (2020)'s reverse wired charging, however, is a unique feature allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A5 (2020) if you value the convenience of reverse wired charging – a feature rarely found in this price bracket – and prefer a brand with a more established reputation. Buy the Infinix Note 7 if you prioritize raw performance for gaming and demanding applications, and are comfortable with a slightly less known brand offering more power for the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G70 in the Infinix Note 7 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G70's 12nm process is designed for efficiency and thermal management. While some heat is inevitable during intensive gaming, the G70 is less prone to overheating compared to older, less efficient chipsets. The Infinix Note 7 likely incorporates thermal throttling mechanisms to prevent performance degradation due to excessive heat.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Oppo A5 (2020) fast enough to meaningfully charge other devices?
The Oppo A5 (2020)'s reverse wired charging is likely limited to a lower wattage than its standard charging capabilities. While it won't charge devices as quickly as a dedicated charger, it provides a convenient way to top up smaller devices like earbuds or smartwatches in an emergency.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 665 handle multitasking compared to the Helio G70?
The Helio G70, with its more powerful Cortex-A75 cores, generally handles multitasking more efficiently than the Snapdragon 665. You'll likely experience smoother app switching and less lag when running multiple applications simultaneously on the Infinix Note 7.
❓ Are software updates likely to be more frequent on the Oppo A5 (2020) compared to the Infinix Note 7?
Oppo generally has a better track record for providing software updates compared to Infinix. While both companies are improving their software support, Oppo users are more likely to receive timely security patches and potentially even major Android version updates.