Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two budget-friendly Oppo phones against each other: the Reno Z and the A17k. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo Reno Z clearly wins due to its significantly more powerful chipset and faster charging. While the A17k offers a more affordable entry point, the Reno Z provides a noticeably better overall experience, particularly in performance and camera capabilities. It's the better value for most users.
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2022, October 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 157.3 x 74.9 x 9.1 mm (6.19 x 2.95 x 0.36 in) | 164.2 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IPX4 water resistance |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GM9446 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 7.0 | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps (gyro-EIS) | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (2G) / Up to 435 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 30 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4035 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jet Black, Aurora Purple - EuropeStar Purple, Extreme Night Black, Coral Orange, Bead White - China | Navy Blue, Gold |
| Models | PCDM10, CPH1979 | CPH2471 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.6dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 74dB | - |
Oppo Reno Z
- Superior Performance (Helio P90)
- Better Camera Quality
- Faster 20W Charging
- AMOLED Display
- Sleeker Design (typically)
- Higher Price
- May lack latest software updates compared to A series
Oppo A17k
- More Affordable
- Decent Battery Life
- Reliable for Basic Tasks
- Lower Performance (Helio G35)
- Less Impressive Camera
- Slower Charging
- IPS LCD Display
Display Comparison
The Oppo Reno Z typically features a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and good contrast. The Oppo A17k usually has a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a 60Hz refresh rate. While both are adequate, the Reno Z's AMOLED panel provides a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks and more accurate colors.
Camera Comparison
The Reno Z generally boasts a more versatile camera system, often including a main sensor with higher resolution and potentially additional lenses like an ultrawide or macro. The A17k's camera is adequate for casual snapshots, but lacks the detail and features of the Reno Z. Expect better low-light performance and overall image quality from the Reno Z.
Performance
This is where the Reno Z shines. Its Mediatek Helio P90 chipset is considerably more powerful than the A17k's Helio G35. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Reno Z. The A17k will handle basic tasks, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature around 5000mAh batteries, offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Reno Z's 20W fast charging provides a significant advantage, allowing you to recharge the battery much quicker than the A17k's slower charging speed (likely around 10W).
Buying Guide
The Oppo Reno Z is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a better camera, and faster charging. It's a good choice for those who enjoy gaming or multitasking. The Oppo A17k is best suited for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo Reno Z worth the extra money?
Yes, if performance and camera quality are important to you. The Reno Z offers a significantly better experience for a relatively small price increase.
❓ Can the Oppo A17k handle social media and browsing?
Yes, the A17k can handle basic tasks like social media and web browsing, but it may feel sluggish at times, especially with multiple apps open.