Oppo A94 5G vs. Apple iPhone SE (2020): A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and 5G access, the Oppo A94 5G is the better choice. While the iPhone SE (2020) boasts a more powerful A13 Bionic chip, the A94 5G’s faster charging, 5G capabilities, and generally lower price point make it a more compelling all-around package.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Oppo A94 5G | Apple iPhone SE (2020) |
| 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, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2296 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2275, A2298 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 16 | 2020, April 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 03 | Available. Released 2020, April 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 148 g (5.22 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Ion-strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak) | Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| - | NVMe | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS, HDR | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD, QC | 18W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi) |
| Type | Li-Po 4310 mAh | Li-Ion 1821 mAh (6.91 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Fluid Black, Space Silver, Cosmo Blue | Black, White, Red |
| Models | CPH2211 | A2275, A2296, A2298, iPhone12,8 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | $ 120.00 / C$ 165.75 / £ 99.95 / € 130.89 |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 59h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1544:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 462253 (v8) GeekBench: 3237 (v5.1) |
Oppo A94 5G
- Faster 30W charging with PD/QC
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Potentially larger display for media consumption
- Less powerful processor than the iPhone SE
- Camera specs are unknown, potentially limiting image quality
Apple iPhone SE (2020)
- Powerful A13 Bionic chip for smooth performance
- Excellent image processing and camera quality
- Compact and pocketable design
- Slower 18W charging
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Smaller display size
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 1544:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the iPhone SE (2020) edges out the A94 5G with a measured peak brightness of 670 nits, potentially offering better outdoor visibility. The A94 5G’s display size isn’t specified, but given its overall dimensions, it’s likely larger than the iPhone SE’s 4.7-inch panel, benefiting video viewers. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is a notable omission in 2024.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Oppo A94 5G. The iPhone SE (2020) benefits from Apple’s renowned image processing, delivering consistently good results in various lighting conditions. Without knowing the A94 5G’s sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The presence of a 5G modem in the A94 5G could facilitate faster uploads of high-resolution photos and videos, a benefit for social media users.
Performance
The Apple A13 Bionic (7nm+) in the iPhone SE (2020) is undeniably more powerful than the Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) in the Oppo A94 5G. The A13’s hexa-core configuration (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) delivers superior single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smooth multitasking. However, the Dimensity 800U’s octa-core setup (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) provides ample power for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The A13’s advantage is most noticeable in demanding applications and graphically intensive games, but the A94 5G holds its own for typical usage.
Battery Life
The iPhone SE (2020) achieves an endurance rating of 59 hours, indicating respectable battery life despite its relatively small capacity. The Oppo A94 5G’s battery capacity is unknown, but it compensates with significantly faster 30W wired charging with PD and QC support, allowing for quicker top-ups. The iPhone SE (2020) offers 18W wired charging (50% in 30 minutes) and 7.5W wireless charging (Qi), providing more flexibility but slower overall charging speeds. The A94 5G’s faster charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently run low on battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A94 5G if you need 5G connectivity, faster charging speeds, and a larger display without breaking the bank. It’s ideal for media consumption and users who want a modern Android experience. Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020) if you prioritize maximum processing power in a compact form factor, prefer the iOS ecosystem, and value long-term software support, even at the expense of battery life and 5G.