Smartphone Comparison: Oppo Find X3 Pro vs. Apple iPhone 13
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Apple iPhone 13 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 74 × 8.3 mm | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm | Oppo is noticeably larger and may feel bulkier in hand. iPhone is more compact, easier to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 193g | 174g | iPhone is 19g lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry in a pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | Oppo has a larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. iPhone is better for users who prefer a compact device. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1170x2532 | Oppo offers sharper visuals, better clarity for text, detailed images, and videos. |
| Pixel Density | 525 ppi | 460 ppi | Oppo's display is noticeably sharper with more detail and clearer text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use excellent display tech with vibrant colors, deep blacks. Differences minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Oppo's display is much smoother in everyday use, especially when scrolling or gaming. iPhone lacks this fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | Oppo's display is slightly brighter in outdoor, sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone has a much faster processor, resulting in quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 876,500 | 1,256,049 | iPhone significantly outperforms Oppo in benchmarks, indicating snappier real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | iPhone’s GPU is superior, providing enhanced gaming performance and smoother graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 3240mAh | Oppo likely offers longer battery life. Practical usage depends on software optimization. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 20W fast charging | Oppo charges much faster, reducing charging downtime considerably. iPhone charging is significantly slower. |
| Battery Features | Reverse, 30W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | Oppo is more versatile with charging, reverse charging is great for accessories. iPhone's MagSafe is a convenient for those in Apple ecosystem |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8, 1.0µm) | 12MP (f/1.6, 1.7µm) | Oppo offers high resolution images. iPhone captures more light for better low light performance thanks to a wider aperture and larger pixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.4, 0.8µm) | 12MP (f/2.2, Unknown µm) | Oppo captures higher resolution selfies. iPhone has a wider aperture, potentially better in low light, but pixel size is unknown. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP (f/2.4, 1.0µm) | None | Oppo has an optical zoom capability via the Telephoto lens which is absent in the iPhone. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP (f/2.2, 1.0µm) | 12MP (f/2.4, 1.4µm) | Oppo's wide-angle has high-resolution and wider aperture, while iPhone's has bigger pixels. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-mo | 4K@60fps, HDR, Stereo, Slow-mo | Both offer great video capabilities. iPhone has stereo sound recording. Oppo has 480fps slow-mo compared to iPhone's 240fps. |
| DXOMark | 128 Mobile Score | Not Available | Oppo has been tested by DXOMark; iPhone lacks a score, but it is a great camera |
| Camera Features | Quad, OIS, Digital, Optical Zoom, PDAF, CDAF, RAW | Dual, OIS, Ultra stable, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | Oppo features more lens options and optical zoom. iPhone focuses on image stabilization and low-light performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 14 | iOS 15, up to 18 | Different OS experiences. Android is customizable, while iOS is simple and user friendly. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Direct, Display | WiFi 6 | Oppo has slight advantage with Direct and Display options. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, AptX, LDAC | 5.0 | Oppo has a newer Bluetooth version and more codec options. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Beidou | GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | Oppo has better location accuracy via multi-band GPS. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone offers eSIM flexibility. Oppo uses two physical SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512GB | 128/256/512GB | iPhone has 128GB as a base option while Oppo starts with 256GB. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 4GB | Oppo provides much more RAM, for smoother multitasking and gaming, although iOS handles memory efficiently. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, this may limit the user. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, DTS/X, Noise cancellation, 3 mics | iPhone excels in audio quality with DTS, noise cancellation and microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Basic security features | Oppo includes a fingerprint scanner, iPhone doesn't specify. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Oppo has a superior screen protection material. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Both have proximity, motion sensors. Oppo has biometric sensor while iPhone has environmental sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper, Smoother Display: The 6.7" 120Hz AMOLED display with higher resolution offers a better visual experience for media consumption, gaming, and general use.
- Faster Charging & More Battery: 65W charging and larger battery capacity mean significantly less charging time and longer use between charges.
- More Versatile Camera System: Optical zoom, a dedicated telephoto lens, and a high-resolution wide-angle offer more creative flexibility.
- More RAM: 12GB or 16GB provides much more power for multitasking and demanding applications.
- Better Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version with aptX and LDAC support for higher quality audio.
- Multiband GPS: Provides more accurate location tracking.
- Reverse charging capabilities: Can be used to wirelessly charge accessories.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Included for biometric security, although iPhone's basic features are not specified.
Apple iPhone 13 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 888, offering faster app loading and smoother operation.
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle one-handed and more pocket-friendly.
- Better Main Camera Low Light: Larger pixels and wider aperture potentially mean better low-light photography.
- Enhanced Audio Quality: Better spatial audio, noise cancellation, and enhanced microphones provide a superior audio experience.
- Better Video recording with Stereo Audio: Enhanced video recording with stereo sound recording.
- Longer Software Updates: Apple provides more extended software support compared to Android phones, giving the iPhone a longer lifespan.
- MagSafe and Wireless Charging: Convenient charging option within Apple ecosystem.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Oppo trades sheer processing power for a better display and battery performance.
- iPhone sacrifices display fluidity, charging speed and battery size for superior performance and a more compact build.
- Oppo has a more versatile camera system, while iPhone focuses on low-light performance and overall better video.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Pro:
- Ideal for: Media enthusiasts, gamers, and users who prioritize a top-tier display experience, battery life, fast charging, and a versatile camera system.
- Specific Use Cases: Watching movies, playing high-end games, capturing high-resolution photos with optical zoom, and using the phone for extended periods. Users who value more control over their operating system.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent display, fast charging and battery capabilities, and a versatile camera at a competitive price.
Apple iPhone 13:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize a seamless, powerful, compact device with a great camera experience and are already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Specific Use Cases: Quick app launching and switching, reliable performance for productivity tasks, high quality and stable video recording, and users who prefer a more closed OS.
- Price-to-Value: Priced at a premium, but offers superior processing power, refined ecosystem, and overall great experience, especially for those in the Apple ecosystem.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality, battery life, and fast charging or raw processing power and a more compact size?
- Are you heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, or do you prefer the customization offered by Android?
- Do you need optical zoom and a versatile camera system, or do you prioritize low-light camera performance and great video quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Enthusiast/Gamer: Choose the Oppo Find X3 Pro. The larger, sharper, 120Hz display, fast charging and the high-capacity battery, coupled with more RAM, make it ideal for media and gaming.
- Scenario 2: Productivity-Focused User: Choose the Apple iPhone 13. The A15 Bionic chip offers smoother, snappier performance for everyday tasks, the closed ecosystem helps for productivity.
- Scenario 3: Casual User (Apple Ecosystem): Choose the Apple iPhone 13. It provides a balance of performance and a user-friendly experience with easy integration in the apple ecosystem.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: If you need the ability to use optical zoom and a telephoto lens in addition to an ultrawide angle lens, then the Oppo Find X3 Pro is more suited to your needs. If you prioritize low light performance, the iPhone 13 may be a better option.
My Choice
Given these choices, I would choose the Apple iPhone 13. While the Oppo Find X3 Pro has a more impressive display and significantly better charging capabilities, the iPhone 13's raw processing power and more compact form factor, combined with a great camera, make it a better daily driver for me. The main reason is the smoother experience that is provided by the A15 bionic and the overall ecosystem that comes with iOS. Additionally, I do not find the lack of optical zoom a limiting factor in my photography, and am okay with sacrificing a higher refresh rate display for the superior performance and stability. The better audio quality of the iPhone is also a plus.
