The Oppo Find 7a and Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo represent a fascinating point in Android history – the transition from raw power to refined software and features. Both devices, released in 2014, aimed for the flagship space, but took different approaches. Today, we revisit these phones to determine which holds up better as a daily driver, considering their original price points and current availability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional and surprisingly capable smartphone from 2014, the Oppo Find 7a emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 801 chipset delivers noticeably superior performance, and the faster 20W charging is a significant advantage, offsetting the slightly lower endurance rating compared to the S5 Neo.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - international model | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20 - International model | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, March. Released 2014, March | 2015, August. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 75 x 9.2 mm (6.01 x 2.95 x 0.36 in) | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), ColorOS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.0", AF | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 75% in 30 min | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 73 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black, Gray, Gold |
| Models | X9006 | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
Oppo Find 7a (2014)
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- 20W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Superior display contrast for better visibility
- Potentially lower battery endurance (unconfirmed)
- Less brand recognition than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- Potentially longer battery life
- Wider brand recognition and support
- Likely more refined image processing
- Slower processor and overall performance
- Lack of fast charging
Display Comparison
The Oppo Find 7a boasts a contrast ratio of 852 (nominal) and a significantly improved 2.279 under sunlight, suggesting superior outdoor visibility compared to the Galaxy S5 Neo, for which display specs are not provided. While both likely utilized LCD panels common for the era, the Find 7a’s higher contrast ratio indicates deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. The lack of detailed display information for the S5 Neo makes a precise comparison difficult, but the Find 7a’s numbers suggest a better viewing experience, particularly in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given Samsung’s historical emphasis on camera technology, the S5 Neo likely benefits from more refined image processing algorithms. The Find 7a’s camera performance will be adequate for casual snapshots, but the S5 Neo may offer slightly better image quality in optimal conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the S5 Neo is unlikely to provide significant benefit due to the low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Find 7a’s Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801, with its quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU, represents a more powerful architecture than the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo’s Exynos 7580 octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53. The Krait 400 cores, while older, were designed for higher single-core performance, crucial for responsiveness. The Exynos 7580, while having more cores, relies on the less performant Cortex-A53 architecture. This translates to a noticeable advantage for the Find 7a in tasks like app loading and smoother multitasking. Both are built on a 28nm process, meaning thermal efficiency will be similar, but the Snapdragon 801 will likely sustain higher performance for longer.
Battery Life
The Oppo Find 7a has an endurance rating of 60 hours, while the Galaxy S5 Neo’s battery life is not specified. However, the Find 7a’s 20W wired charging, capable of reaching 75% charge in just 30 minutes, is a significant advantage. This rapid charging capability mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly lower overall endurance rating. The S5 Neo likely offers a longer runtime on a single charge, but the convenience of quickly topping up the Find 7a is a compelling benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Find 7a (2014) if you prioritize performance for light gaming or demanding apps, and value faster charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that still feels responsive despite its age. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo if you prefer a more widely recognized brand with a potentially more readily available ecosystem of accessories, and if battery endurance is your absolute top priority, even at the cost of processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7580 in the Galaxy S5 Neo tend to overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 7580 is a relatively efficient chip, but given its age and the phone's internal thermal design, it's possible to experience some throttling during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 801 in the Find 7a, while also aging, was designed with more robust thermal management in mind.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Oppo Find 7a still considered fast charging by today's standards?
While 20W is no longer considered cutting-edge, it's still significantly faster than the charging speeds offered by the Galaxy S5 Neo. It allows for a substantial charge in a short amount of time, making it a practical advantage for users who don't want to wait hours for their phone to fully charge.
❓ Can either of these phones reliably run modern apps like TikTok or Instagram?
Both phones will struggle with the latest versions of demanding apps like TikTok and Instagram. However, older versions of these apps, or 'lite' versions designed for lower-end hardware, may function adequately on the Oppo Find 7a due to its more powerful processor. The Galaxy S5 Neo will likely experience more lag and instability.
