Oppo's A-series consistently delivers value, but the A73 and A53s 5G represent diverging strategies. The A73 prioritizes a streamlined experience with a Snapdragon 662, while the A53s 5G leaps into the future with a Mediatek Dimensity 700 and 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects these choices, helping you determine which phone best fits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A53s 5G is the better buy. While it sacrifices charging speed, the Dimensity 700 offers a significant performance uplift and future-proofs your device with 5G support. The A73 remains a viable option for those prioritizing faster charging and a slightly more refined software experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 05. Released 2020, November 20 | 2021, April 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 72.9 x 7.5 mm (6.29 x 2.87 x 0.30 in) | 164 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 163 g (5.75 oz) | 189.6 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 (single lane) | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 53 min | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4015 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Classic Silver | Crystal Blue, Ink Black |
| Models | CPH2099 | CPH2321 |
| Price | - | About 170 EUR |
Oppo A73
- Faster 30W Charging
- Potentially smoother software experience (due to less demanding chipset)
- Slightly more established Qualcomm ecosystem
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Less powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps
Oppo A53s 5G
- 5G Connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor
- Improved thermal efficiency
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- Potentially more aggressive software optimization to manage power
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo provides detailed display specifications beyond size and resolution. However, given their price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The real difference lies under the hood. The A73's Snapdragon 662 will have less graphical horsepower to drive a demanding display, potentially resulting in lower frame rates in games. While both likely target similar color accuracy, the A53s 5G's more powerful GPU could handle HDR content more effectively.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with depth and macro lenses. Given Oppo’s image processing expertise, both will likely produce acceptable photos in good lighting. The A53s 5G’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 700 could offer better low-light performance and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The A73's Snapdragon 662 ISP is adequate but less advanced.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A53s 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, demonstrably outperforms the Oppo A73’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores offer a substantial CPU performance boost over the Kryo 260 Gold cores in the Snapdragon 662. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The 7nm process also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained loads. The A53s 5G also gains 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the A73.
Battery Life
The A73 boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% in 30 minutes and 100% in 53 minutes. The A53s 5G is limited to 10W charging, resulting in a considerably longer charge time. While battery capacity isn't specified, the A53s 5G’s more efficient 7nm Dimensity 700 could partially offset the slower charging, offering comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar or slightly smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A73 if you prioritize faster 30W charging and a generally smoother, if less powerful, everyday experience. It's ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the Oppo A53s 5G if you want 5G connectivity for faster data speeds and a more capable processor for gaming and demanding apps, even if it means slower 10W charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the A53s 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 700's 7nm process is more thermally efficient than the Snapdragon 662's 11nm process. While some throttling is possible, it's less likely to occur as quickly or severely as on the A73, allowing for longer, more consistent gaming performance.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A53s 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
5G connectivity is genuinely useful if you live in an area with 5G coverage. It provides significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE, making streaming, downloading large files, and online gaming much smoother. Check your carrier's coverage map to determine if 5G is available in your location.
❓ How much slower is the 10W charging on the A53s 5G compared to the A73's 30W charging in real-world use?
Expect a full charge to take approximately 2-3 hours with the A53s 5G's 10W charging, whereas the A73 can achieve a full charge in around 53 minutes. This difference is substantial, making the A73 a better choice for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
