Released in 2016, the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy A5 represented compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. Now, as these devices find a second life in the used market, understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for budget-conscious buyers. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the better experience today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a reliable, long-lasting device, the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) edges out the Oppo A59. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings of 91 hours, the Galaxy A5’s potentially faster charging (18W) and the availability of a Snapdragon 615 variant (in China) offer a slight performance advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A59t | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / UMTS / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | UMTS 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, June. Released 2016, June | 2015, December. Released 2015, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.5 x 76 x 7.4 mm (6.08 x 2.99 x 0.29 in) | 144.8 x 71 x 7.3 mm (5.70 x 2.80 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) - China only |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm)Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) - China only |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Mali-T720MP2Adreno 405 - China only |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 3 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 or eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP, (macro)
2 MP, (depth)
2 MP |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | 5 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Music play | - | Up to 75 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 16 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3075 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Rose Gold | Black, White, Gold, Pink |
| Models | - | SM-A5100, SM-A510F, SM-A510M, SM-A510Y, SM-A510FD, SM-A5108, SM-A510S, SM-A510K, SM-A510L, SM-A510 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -53.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 91h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.789 (sunlight)3.789 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 66dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 833Basemark X: 4947 |
Oppo A59 (2016)
- Consistent chipset availability (MT6750)
- Potentially lower price point in the used market
- Reliable battery life (91h endurance)
- Potentially lower performance compared to Snapdragon 615 variant of A5
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Less refined camera image processing
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)
- Faster 18W charging
- Snapdragon 615 variant (China) offers better performance
- Potentially superior camera image processing
- Chipset availability varies by region (Exynos vs Snapdragon)
- May be slightly more expensive in the used market
- Software support is likely discontinued
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) share an identical contrast ratio of infinite (nominal) and 3.789 in sunlight, suggesting similar display quality in outdoor visibility. However, detailed panel specifications like resolution and pixel density are missing. Given the market positioning, both likely utilized AMOLED panels, a Samsung strength, potentially giving the A5 a slight edge in color accuracy and vibrancy. Bezels were a key design element in 2016, and without specific measurements, it's difficult to declare a clear winner.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without megapixel counts or sensor sizes, a direct comparison is difficult. It’s reasonable to assume both featured a primary rear camera around 13MP, typical for the segment. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential due to its limited image quality. Samsung’s image processing algorithms were generally considered more refined in 2016, potentially giving the A5 a slight advantage in image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The chipset is the key differentiator here. The Oppo A59 utilizes the Mediatek MT6750, an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous core arrangement (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The Samsung Galaxy A5, however, comes in two configurations: the Exynos 7580 Octa (1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) and the Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) – the latter being exclusive to the Chinese market. The Snapdragon 615, while also an octa-core, generally offered slightly better GPU performance than the MT6750. The Exynos 7580 sits in a similar performance bracket to the MT6750, making the chipset a regional lottery for A5 buyers. Both phones likely feature 2GB or 3GB of RAM, limiting multitasking capabilities by modern standards.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy A5 boast an impressive endurance rating of 91 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Galaxy A5 supports 18W wired charging, a significant advantage over the likely slower charging speeds of the Oppo A59. This faster charging capability translates to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime and improving overall usability. While both likely featured batteries around 3000mAh, the charging speed is the deciding factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A59 (2016) if you prioritize a consistently available chipset (MT6750) and are comfortable with potentially slightly lower performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) if you value faster charging, and potentially better performance with the Snapdragon 615 variant (if you're in the Chinese market), and a more established brand reputation for software support (even if end-of-life).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7580 in the Galaxy A5 overheat during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Exynos 7580 is a relatively efficient chipset. While it can get warm during extended gaming sessions, it's unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 615 variant, being slightly more powerful, might exhibit slightly higher temperatures under the same load.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) are largely marketing features. The low resolution and lack of dedicated optics result in images that are often soft, noisy, and lack detail. They are best avoided.
❓ Can either of these phones handle modern mobile games like PUBG Mobile at playable frame rates?
While both phones can *run* PUBG Mobile, expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame rate drops, especially during intense action. Neither chipset is optimized for demanding modern games. The Snapdragon 615 variant of the A5 will offer a slightly smoother experience.
❓ What about software updates? Are either of these phones still receiving security patches?
No. Both the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) are well past their end-of-life for software updates. They will not receive any further security patches or OS upgrades, making them potentially vulnerable to security threats. Use with caution and avoid storing sensitive information on these devices.
