The Oppo A54 is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver a balanced experience for users who want decent performance without breaking the bank. As we dive into this review, we'll explore whether this device manages to strike that perfect balance between affordability and functionality in today's competitive market.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Oppo A54 presents itself with a surprisingly premium look for its price point. The plastic back features a glossy finish that mimics glass, though it does attract fingerprints quite easily. The device feels comfortable in hand with its rounded edges and relatively lightweight body. The power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner on the right side, while the volume rocker sits comfortably within thumb's reach on the left. Oppo has included a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom - a welcome feature that's becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones.

Display Performance

The 6.51-inch IPS LCD display offers a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels, which translates to about 269 pixels per inch. While this isn't the sharpest display on the market, it gets the job done for everyday use. Colors appear vibrant enough, though they lack the depth and accuracy of more expensive AMOLED panels. The 60Hz refresh rate is standard for this price range, and while higher refresh rates would have been nice, its absence helps with battery efficiency. Outdoor visibility is decent, though you might need to crank up the brightness on particularly sunny days.

Performance and Hardware

Powering the Oppo A54 is the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM. This combination delivers adequate performance for basic tasks like social media browsing, messaging, and light gaming. However, you might experience some lag when multitasking or running more demanding applications. The 64GB of internal storage can be expanded via microSD card, which is a significant advantage for users who need extra space for media files. In daily use, the phone handles routine operations smoothly, though heavy users might find the performance limitations noticeable.

Camera Capabilities

The triple camera setup on the rear consists of a 13MP main sensor, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor. In good lighting conditions, the primary camera captures decent shots with acceptable detail and color reproduction. However, low-light performance leaves much to be desired, with images appearing noisy and lacking detail. The 16MP front-facing camera does a respectable job for selfies and video calls. Oppo's camera software includes various modes and filters, though some of these feel more like gimmicks than genuinely useful features.

Battery Life and Charging

Where the Oppo A54 truly shines is in its battery performance. The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use, and with lighter usage, you might even stretch it to two days. Unfortunately, the included 18W fast charging isn't the fastest by today's standards, taking about two hours to fully charge the large battery from empty. The absence of wireless charging is expected at this price point, though it would have been a nice bonus.

Software Experience

The device runs ColorOS 7.2 based on Android 10 (upgradeable to Android 11). Oppo's custom skin offers numerous customization options but comes with some pre-installed bloatware that can't be uninstalled. The interface is generally smooth, though some animations feel unnecessary and occasionally contribute to perceived lag. Security updates have been relatively regular, though not as frequent as one might hope.

Audio and Connectivity

The single bottom-firing speaker delivers adequate sound quality for casual media consumption, though it lacks bass and can sound tinny at higher volumes. Call quality is good, with clear voice transmission on both ends. The device supports dual SIM cards and includes standard connectivity options like Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. GPS performance is reliable for navigation purposes.

Competition and Value Proposition

In its price segment, the Oppo A54 faces stiff competition from devices like the Redmi Note 10 and Realme 8. While it may not outperform these rivals in raw specifications, it offers a more polished software experience and better build quality. The excellent battery life makes it particularly appealing for users who prioritize longevity over cutting-edge features.

Final Verdict

The Oppo A54 is a competent budget smartphone that gets the fundamentals right. Its standout features include impressive battery life, a decent display, and a design that punches above its weight class. While it has clear limitations in processing power and camera performance, these are reasonable compromises given its affordable price tag. For users seeking a reliable daily driver without premium features (or premium prices), the A54 deserves serious consideration.

Oppo A54 Full Specifications:

Dimensions: 163.6 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm

Weight: 192 g

Display: 6.51-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate

Processor: MediaTek Helio P35

RAM: 4GB

Storage: 64GB (expandable via microSD)

Rear Cameras: 13MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth

Front Camera: 16MP

Battery: 5000mAh with 18W fast charging

Operating System: ColorOS 7.2 based on Android 10 (upgradeable to Android 11)

Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS

Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack

Colors: Crystal Black, Starry Blue