The Oppo F3 Plus and Xiaomi Mi A1 (also known as Mi 5X) were popular mid-range contenders. Both offered compelling features for their price, but which one truly delivered a better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and performance to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X) edges out the Oppo F3 Plus thanks to its superior battery life, slightly better display in sunlight, and more efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset. While the F3 Plus boasts faster charging, the Mi A1's overall package is more compelling for most users.
| 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 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, March. Released 2017, April | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 80.8 x 7.4 mm (6.44 x 3.18 x 0.29 in) | 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm (6.12 x 2.98 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~70.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.44 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8976 Pro Snapdragon 653 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 510 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 6 (Marshmallow), ColorOS 3 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, AF, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.8", PDAF, OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pink, Gold | Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | CPH1613 | MDG2, MDI2 |
| Price | About 480 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.75 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise-93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -82.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 79h
| Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1485 (nominal), 3.218 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1570:1 (nominal), 2.689 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 62dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 70dB
|
Voice 74dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 90dB |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 4695 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
GeekBench: 4292 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo F3 Plus
- Faster Charging (20W)
- Larger Screen
- Dual Front Camera (Selfies)
- Lower Battery Life
- Less Efficient Chipset
- Poorer Sunlight Display Performance
Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X)
- Excellent Battery Life
- Efficient Snapdragon 625
- Better Sunlight Display
- Clean Android Experience
- Slower Charging (10W)
- Less Powerful Peak Performance
- Standard Camera Setup
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays with excellent contrast ratios (1485:1 for Oppo, 1570:1 for Xiaomi). However, the Xiaomi Mi A1 shines in direct sunlight with a better contrast ratio of 2.689 compared to the Oppo F3 Plus's 3.218. The Oppo has a slightly larger screen, but the Mi A1's outdoor visibility is a key advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera performance for their class. The Oppo F3 Plus was known for its front-facing dual-camera setup for selfies. The Mi A1's camera, while not exceptional, delivered consistent results and benefited from Xiaomi's image processing. Detailed camera comparisons would require more in-depth testing, but both are capable of capturing good photos in well-lit conditions.
Performance
The Oppo F3 Plus utilizes a Snapdragon 653 chipset with a mix of Cortex-A72 and A53 cores. The Xiaomi Mi A1 features the Snapdragon 625, known for its efficiency. While the F3 Plus has a higher peak clock speed, the 625's efficiency often translates to smoother, longer-lasting performance in everyday tasks. The Mi A1's 14nm process also contributes to better power management.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X) clearly wins in the battery department. It boasts an endurance rating of 87 hours, significantly higher than the Oppo F3 Plus's 79 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the Mi A1, making it ideal for heavy users.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Oppo F3 Plus? Users prioritizing faster charging and a slightly larger screen might prefer the F3 Plus. Who should buy the Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X)? Those seeking excellent battery life, a clean Android experience, and efficient performance will find the Mi A1 a better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has a better camera for selfies?
The Oppo F3 Plus has a dual front-facing camera setup, making it a better choice for those who prioritize selfie quality and features like bokeh effects.
❓ Is the Xiaomi Mi A1 worth buying now?
While both phones are older, the Mi A1's clean Android experience and excellent battery life still make it a viable option, especially if you can find it at a low price. However, consider newer budget phones with improved features.
