The Oppo A96 is a popular budget smartphone, but there's a slight variation: the Oppo A96 (China). While they share a similar design, key differences in the chipset and connectivity can significantly impact performance. This review breaks down the differences to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A96 (China) with the Snapdragon 695 5G offers a noticeable performance boost and 5G connectivity compared to the Oppo A96's 4G-only Snapdragon 680. If 5G is important and you value smoother performance, the China variant is the clear winner, though availability may be a factor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 12 | 2022, March 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 12 | Available. Released 2022, March 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HDR) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 12 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm | 16 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD, 100% in 63 min
Reverse wired | 33W wired, PD, 50% in 26 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink | Starry Black, Sunset Blue |
| Models | PFUM10 | CPH2333 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 560 EUR |
Oppo A96 (China)
- Faster Performance (Snapdragon 695)
- 5G Connectivity
- Slightly better power efficiency
- Good Value
- Potentially limited availability
- May be slightly more expensive
Oppo A96
- Wider Availability
- More Affordable
- Good Battery Life
- Decent Camera
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 680)
- No 5G
- Less efficient processor
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 6.56-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2400) IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Expect similar color accuracy and brightness levels on both models. The viewing experience should be largely identical.
Camera Comparison
Both phones typically feature a triple-camera setup: a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. Image quality should be comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance might be slightly better on the (China) variant due to the more powerful processor handling image processing.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Oppo A96 (China) boasts the Snapdragon 695 5G, a more powerful chipset built on a 6nm process. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Oppo A96's Snapdragon 680 4G (also 6nm, but less efficient). The 5G modem in the 695 is a significant advantage.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with a 5000mAh battery. While charging speeds are similar (33W wired PD), the Snapdragon 695 in the (China) variant might offer slightly better power efficiency, potentially leading to marginally longer battery life under heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A96 (China) is ideal for users who want a budget-friendly phone with 5G capabilities and a smoother overall experience. The standard Oppo A96 is a good choice for those who don't need 5G and prioritize affordability and wider availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo A96 (China) worth the extra cost?
If 5G connectivity and improved performance are important to you, then yes, the Oppo A96 (China) is worth the extra cost. However, if you're on a tight budget and don't need 5G, the standard Oppo A96 is a solid choice.
❓ Where can I buy the Oppo A96 (China)?
Availability of the Oppo A96 (China) is limited outside of China. You may need to import it or look for retailers that specialize in importing Chinese smartphones.
