The Umidigi A9 and Oppo A15s represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they achieve this with different chipsets and subtle design choices. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly better CPU performance for multitasking, the Oppo A15s edges out the Umidigi A9. Its Helio P35, with higher clock speeds, offers a more responsive experience. However, the A9 remains a viable option for basic use cases and represents strong value.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021. Released 2021 | 2020, December 18. Released 2020, December 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 77.1 x 9.5 mm (6.46 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature) | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | Li-Po 4230 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Granite Grey, Sky Blue, Peacock Green | Dynamic Black, Fancy White |
| Models | - | CPH2179 |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
Umidigi A9
- Potentially better battery efficiency due to the Helio G25.
- Often available at a lower price point.
- Solid choice for basic smartphone functionality.
- Slightly slower CPU performance compared to the Oppo A15s.
- May exhibit more lag when multitasking.
Oppo A15s
- Faster CPU clock speeds for a more responsive experience.
- Potentially better image processing capabilities.
- Slightly smoother performance with multiple apps open.
- May have slightly shorter battery life during intensive use.
- Typically priced slightly higher than the Umidigi A9.
Display Comparison
Neither Umidigi nor Oppo provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness or color accuracy. However, the focus should be on usability rather than visual fidelity at this price point. Expect adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences in both cases.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance in both devices is expected to be modest. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but both likely feature a primary sensor paired with basic auxiliary lenses (depth or macro). The image processing capabilities of the Helio P35 in the Oppo A15s *may* offer slightly better results in favorable lighting conditions, but neither phone will excel in low-light photography. Focusing on the primary sensor's megapixel count is misleading; image quality is more dependent on sensor size and software optimization, both of which are unknown here.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A15s features the Mediatek Helio P35, boasting a CPU with four cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The Umidigi A9, conversely, uses the Helio G25, with a CPU configuration of 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz. While both are octa-core designs based on the Cortex-A53 architecture, the P35’s higher clock speeds translate to a noticeable performance advantage in CPU-bound tasks like app loading and web browsing. The G25 is geared more towards efficiency, potentially offering slightly better battery life during less intensive use. Both chipsets are paired with limited RAM (typically 3-4GB), which will be a bottleneck for heavier multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2.5-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but typical capacities for phones in this segment range from 4000-5000 mAh. The Umidigi A9’s Helio G25, being more power-efficient, *could* translate to slightly longer battery life during light usage, but the difference will likely be minimal in real-world scenarios. The overall battery experience will depend heavily on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi A9 if you need a reliable device for basic communication, social media, and light web browsing, and prioritize maximizing value for your money. Buy the Oppo A15s if you prefer a slightly more responsive user experience, particularly when switching between apps or handling moderately demanding tasks, and are willing to spend a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A15s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio P35 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at low to medium settings with reduced frame rates. The GPU is not powerful enough for a smooth, high-fidelity gaming experience. The Umidigi A9 will likely offer a similar, or slightly less capable, gaming experience.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically offer, and can it be expanded?
Both the Umidigi A9 and Oppo A15s typically come with 32GB of internal storage, which is quite limited. Fortunately, both devices support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 256GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed a significant drawback?
10W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. It's sufficient for overnight charging, but topping up the battery quickly isn't possible. Neither phone offers fast charging capabilities, so this is a trade-off you'll need to accept at this price point.
