Released a few years apart, the Oppo A59 (2016) and R7s represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The A59 aimed for affordability, while the R7s focused on a more refined experience with faster charging. This comparison dissects their specifications to determine which device offers the best value in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Oppo R7s emerges as the better choice. While both phones share a similar CPU architecture, the R7s’ 73-hour endurance rating and 20W fast charging significantly outperform the A59, making it more practical for daily use. The A59 remains a viable option for extremely budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global, Taiwan, USA |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A59t | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 4, 7, 17 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, June. Released 2016, June | 2015, October. Released 2015, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 154.5 x 76 x 7.4 mm (6.08 x 2.99 x 0.29 in) | 151.8 x 75.4 x 7 mm (5.98 x 2.97 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 3 | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired, 75% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 3075 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3070 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Rose Gold | Golden |
| Models | - | R7sf |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.5dB / Crosstalk -94.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.964 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 71dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 930Basemark X: 5302 |
Oppo A59 (2016)
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Decent performance for basic tasks.
- Functional for essential smartphone features.
- Inferior battery life compared to the R7s.
- Slower charging speeds.
- Potentially less refined camera experience.
Oppo R7s
- Excellent battery life (73h endurance).
- Fast charging (20W, 75% in 30min).
- Potentially better GPU performance with Snapdragon 615.
- May be harder to find and potentially more expensive.
- Limited information on camera specifications.
- Older device, potentially lacking software updates.
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A59 (2016) and R7s feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio and a sunlight contrast ratio of 3.964. This suggests similar panel technology and outdoor visibility. However, specific details like screen resolution, size, and panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) are missing. Given the R7s’ positioning, it likely benefited from slightly better color calibration and viewing angles, though without further data, this remains speculative. The lack of information on PWM dimming rates prevents assessment of potential eye strain.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without megapixel counts, sensor sizes, or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. However, considering the R7s’ market positioning, it likely featured a more refined camera system with better image processing algorithms. The absence of any mention of advanced features like OIS or dedicated night modes suggests both cameras are geared towards casual photography in good lighting conditions. The usefulness of any potential 2MP macro sensors (common in this era) would be limited.
Performance
Both devices are powered by octa-core CPUs featuring a combination of 1.5 GHz and 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. However, the chipset differs: the A59 uses the Mediatek MT6750, while the R7s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. Both are built on a 28nm process. While the core configuration is identical, the Snapdragon 615 generally exhibits slightly better GPU performance and more efficient power management due to Qualcomm’s optimizations. This translates to a smoother experience in graphically demanding applications and potentially less thermal throttling during prolonged use. The A59’s MT6750 may offer slightly better CPU multi-core performance in certain benchmarks, but the real-world difference is likely minimal.
Battery Life
The Oppo R7s boasts a significant advantage in battery performance with an endurance rating of 73 hours. While the A59’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the R7s’ endurance rating, combined with its 20W fast charging (capable of reaching 75% charge in 30 minutes), makes it far more convenient for users who rely heavily on their smartphones. The A59 likely offers a standard charging speed, resulting in longer charging times and potentially requiring more frequent top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A59 (2016) if you need an incredibly affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are willing to compromise on battery life and charging speed. Buy the Oppo R7s if you prioritize all-day battery life, faster charging, and a slightly more polished overall experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 615 in the Oppo R7s capable of handling modern mobile games?
While the Snapdragon 615 is an older chipset, it can handle many popular mobile games at medium settings. However, demanding titles may require lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The MT6750 in the A59 will offer similar performance, but the R7s’ potentially better thermal management might prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Oppo R7s compare to newer smartphones with 65W or 120W charging?
The Oppo R7s’ 20W charging is significantly slower than the ultra-fast charging technologies found in modern smartphones. While 75% in 30 minutes was considered fast in 2016, today’s phones can often fully charge in the same timeframe. However, 20W is still a substantial improvement over standard charging speeds and provides a practical charging experience.
❓ Will I receive software updates on either of these phones?
Given their age, it's highly unlikely that either the Oppo A59 (2016) or the R7s will receive further software updates. Both devices are likely running older versions of Android and may lack critical security patches. This is a significant consideration for users concerned about security and privacy.
