Oppo's F-series has consistently delivered stylish and affordable smartphones. The Oppo F5 Youth and F9 (often referred to as F9 Pro) are two popular contenders in this space. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will break down their key features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo F9 (F9 Pro) emerges as the clear winner thanks to its more powerful chipset, faster charging, and generally improved performance. While the F5 Youth is a decent budget option, the F9's upgrades make it a worthwhile investment if your budget allows.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - all versions |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, November. Released 2017, December | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 76 x 7.5 mm (6.16 x 2.99 x 0.30 in) | 156.7 x 74 x 8 mm (6.17 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 152 g (5.36 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), ColorOS 3.2 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, ColorOS 7.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, 1/3.1, 1.0µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.32", 1.0µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Black | Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue, Starry Purple, Jade Green |
| Models | CPH1725 | CPH1823, CPH1881, CPH1825 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -92.1dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1814:1 (nominal), 3.069 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 71dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 81dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 5673 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -92.1dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1814:1 (nominal), 3.069 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 71dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 81dB |
| Performance | - | GeekBench: 5673 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo F5 Youth
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Older Chipset
- Slower Charging
- Less Powerful Performance
Oppo F9 (F9 Pro)
- More Powerful Chipset
- Faster Charging (20W)
- Improved Performance
- Modern Design
- Slightly Higher Price
- Potentially Larger Size
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a large display, but the F9's slightly more modern panel and potentially better color accuracy give it a slight edge. Both boast impressive contrast ratios (1814:1 nominal, 3.069 in sunlight), ensuring good visibility even outdoors. The F9 may have a slightly higher resolution, contributing to sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent camera capabilities, the F9 likely has a more refined camera system. The P60's image signal processor (ISP) generally provides better image processing and low-light performance. Expect slightly better detail and dynamic range from the F9's camera.
Performance
The Oppo F9's Mediatek Helio P60 chipset (12nm) is significantly more powerful than the F5 Youth's Helio P23 (16nm). The P60's Cortex-A73 cores offer a noticeable performance boost in demanding tasks and gaming. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the F9.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 94 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The F9's 20W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups compared to the F5 Youth's standard charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Oppo F5 Youth? Users on a very tight budget who prioritize a large display and basic functionality. Who should buy the Oppo F9 (F9 Pro)? Those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a more modern overall experience, even at a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo F9 worth the extra money compared to the F5 Youth?
Yes, the F9's improved performance, faster charging, and more modern chipset make it a worthwhile upgrade if your budget allows. The F5 Youth is a good budget option, but the F9 offers a significantly better overall experience.
❓ What is the difference between the Oppo F9 and F9 Pro?
The 'Pro' designation in F9 Pro typically indicates slightly enhanced features, such as improved camera capabilities or a more premium design. However, in many regions, the F9 and F9 Pro are essentially the same device.
