Oppo’s strategy in the competitive landscape of vertical foldables has revolved around maximizing features: more screen real estate, enhanced cover display, and superior camera systems. The brand’s commitment to innovation was evident in the Oppo Find N2 Flip, which outperformed the Galaxy Z Flip 4 in a recent comparison. The introduction of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra later brought about a game-changing design with an edge-to-edge cover display, boasting embedded cameras, IP ratings, and wireless charging capabilities. Soon after, Samsung responded with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, a model that followed Motorola’s lead with its expansive, square cover display but struggled with software optimization, ultimately failing in execution.
Now, Oppo unveils its second generation of vertical foldables. Interestingly, the manufacturer has resisted the trend towards square cover displays, opting instead for a tall rectangular format. This approach includes innovative features, a new camera system, and an alert slider reminiscent of OnePlus devices. The question remains whether this new offering can effectively compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Review: Price in India
The Oppo Find N3 Flip is priced at Rs. 94,999 and comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, available in two finishes: Cream Gold and Sleek Black. Compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5, currently retailing at Rs. 99,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (up to Rs. 1,09,999 for the 512GB variant), Oppo’s pricing appears aggressive. Motorola’s Razr 40 Ultra offers a competitive edge at Rs. 79,999, featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The Oppo Find N3 Flip features front and rear panels made from Corning Gorilla Victus glass
While Samsung’s Z Flip 5 carries a premium price tag, it distinguishes itself as the only updated foldable offering the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, alongside an IPX8 rating for water resistance and Qi wireless charging capabilities.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Review: Design
The design of the Oppo Find N3 Flip closely mirrors that of its predecessor, presenting a rounded structure that enhances comfort when held compared to the flatter design of the Galaxy Z Flip 5. However, the glossy finish has some drawbacks, making it noticeably slippery compared to the matte finish of the Find N2 Flip.
While the overall aesthetic radiates luxury, some sharp edges at the junction of the outer panels and frame, particularly when the device is folded, are disappointing for a smartphone in this price class. Fortunately, Oppo includes a matte-finished case that improves grip and complements the phone’s design effectively.
Similar to the Find N2 Flip, the Find N3 Flip folds shut seamlessly, with no visible gap
The tall rectangular cover display has been retained to facilitate the new triple rear camera system, a notable first in the clamshell segment. The unique layout of this camera module, comparable to a Rs. 10 coin’s size and thickness, does not affect the device’s overall profile when opened or closed.
OnePlus’s alert slider has made its debut on this Oppo device, adding another layer of convenience for users who appreciate quick profile adjustments. This design shift may require adaptation for traditional Oppo users however, it provides a familiar touch for those transitioning from OnePlus devices.
The inner folding display showcases thin bezels, allowing for a pleasant typing experience
The inner display has a shallow crease that is nearly invisible, with minimal bezel space enhancing the user experience. Gestures are fluid near the edges thanks to the flat bezels, and the display remains resistant to fingerprints. Should smudging occur, cleaning is straightforward.
However, the layout of the cover display raises usability concerns. Its left-aligned section is less accessible for right-handed users, prompting rear contact with the camera module while attempting to interact with the display. An awkward hand positioning to reach the phone’s fingerprint reader adds to the complexity of using the phone in its intended fashion.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall hinge design, known as the Flexion hinge, has been praised for its operational smoothness. Made from durable materials, it allows for a tight closure with no visible gaps and claims to withstand extensive usage. My experience revealed a well-calibrated tension that permits one-handed operation without excessive force.
Oppo Find N3 Flip’s hinge mechanism is designed for smooth operation
The Flexion hinge also allows for an IPX4 rating, offering basic water resistance against splashes but falls short of full submersion protection.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Review: Specifications and Software
The Oppo Find N3 Flip is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 SoC, providing a notable upgrade from its predecessor. It offers 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, supporting multiple 5G bands and dual SIM capabilities. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi AC, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. The integrated fingerprint reader in the power button performed reliably during testing, while a 4,300mAh battery supports 44W wired charging but lacks wireless charging.
Running on ColourOS 13.2 based on Android 13, the user interface includes a dedicated section for features specific to the cover display. Users can customize wallpapers and manage mini-apps from this menu, enhancing usability.
The functionality of the cover display shows significant improvement over the previous version, supporting a range of full apps and familiar mini-apps. However, switching between the cover and main displays remains somewhat clunky, and users may find themselves relying on the main display for the most seamless experience.
The display allows navigation and interaction with both supported and unsupported apps
While users can respond to notifications from the cover screen, limited third-party app support persists, and accessing the main display as a fallback is often necessary. The messaging capabilities have improved, but the overall experience still lags behind Motorola’s Razr 40 Ultra.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Review: Performance
In terms of performance, the Oppo Find N3 Flip performed commendably, showing no signs of lag or stuttering during daily use. Benchmark results indicated it performed well, though it did not quite match the scores of the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
Gamers will appreciate the responsive performance across a variety of titles, including Call of Duty: Mobile, where high graphics settings were easily handled without overheating issues.
The inner display is bright and capable of handling high-definition content
The display excels in direct sunlight and supports HDR10 content, providing an enjoyable gaming experience particularly for mobile gaming. While gaming durability remains a concern, it reports solid battery performance, lasting beyond a day and performing decently even under extended usage. The phone’s ability to conserve battery life is commendable.
The device effectively manages battery consumption, achieving a notable score of nearly 24 hours in video testing, far surpassing competitors in longevity.
Charging capabilities proved effective, reaching 58 percent in just half an hour and fully powering up within approximately one hour.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Review: Cameras
The Oppo Find N3 Flip boasts an impressive camera system for a clamshell foldable, including a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS, a 32-megapixel telephoto lens with 2X optical zoom, and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view. A 32-megapixel front-facing camera caters to selfies, supported by a collaboration with Hasselblad to enhance photographic quality.
The Oppo Find N3 Flip showcases a remarkable selection of high-resolution cameras
The primary lens captures detailed, well-optimized images regardless of lighting, while the selfies taken using the cover display yield crisp results due to effective edge detection, especially under low light conditions.
The telephoto lens delivers commendable close-ups in daylight but exhibits some detail loss in dim environments. Meanwhile, the ultra-wide-angle camera holds up relatively well, though it presents cooler color tones and some edge distortion.
The camera setup records 4K video across all lenses, displaying decent stabilization though lacking in frame consistency. Low-light video capabilities are functional with minor noise present.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Review: Verdict
Oppo continues to push boundaries with innovative foldable devices, challenging established players like Samsung. The OnePlus Open, acknowledged for its superior offering, raises the stakes for competing flagship foldables soon to be released by Samsung.
The Oppo Find N3 Flip represents a significant advancement in terms of raw performance, camera quality, and battery life, while also presenting notable adaptability issues with its cover display. It caters to users who prioritize camera quality and gaming performance, albeit possibly disappointing those focusing heavily on the efficiency of the cover display. For users who infrequently utilize their cover display on existing foldables, this phone might be an appealing choice.
