Oppo’s Ultra-Thin Foldable Phone: Is It About to Outshine Samsung?
Oppo has just launched what might be the most impressive foldable phone we’ve ever seen—and it’s so thin, it barely fits a USB-C port. We’re talking 4.2mm thin when unfolded—just a hair thicker than the structural housing of the USB-C port itself. But while the size is jaw-dropping, it’s just the beginning of the story. Packed with next-gen tech, performance upgrades, and serious hardware innovations, Oppo may have just redefined what a foldable phone can be.
Let’s put it head-to-head against Samsung, the long-reigning king of foldables, and find out whether Oppo’s new Find N5 Foldable is a game changer or just good marketing.
1. Unboxing Experience: Oppo Gives You More
Right out of the box, Oppo scores its first win. Unlike Samsung, which only includes a USB-C cable, Oppo delivers:
- An 80W charging brick
- A USB-A to C cable
- A premium lightweight case
- A pre-installed screen protector
That’s nearly $80 of extra value, and a lot less hassle for the user. It’s the kind of thoughtful packaging that instantly improves the ownership experience.
2. Build Quality: Slimmer, Tougher, Smarter
Despite being 30% thinner than Samsung’s foldable, the Oppo still manages to impress on durability. Both phones use custom aluminum alloy frames and have strong hinges, but Oppo goes further:
- Front display reinforced with ceramic for added toughness
- Better water resistance, even withstanding high-pressure jets and extreme temps
- A less visible crease, claimed to be 50% shallower and 10% narrower than previous Oppo foldables
However, Oppo makes a couple of compromises:
- No dust resistance rating
- Back made of fiber material, which feels slightly plasticky
Still, Oppo’s design ingenuity shines, particularly with their reengineered motherboard that allows the phone to be slimmer and lighter without sacrificing strength.
3. Battery: Silicon-Carbon Powerhouse
This foldable debuts a silicon-carbon battery—a new type of battery technology that’s more energy-dense than traditional lithium-ion cells. Here’s what it means in real-world use:
- 5,600mAh battery vs Samsung’s 4,400mAh
- Faster charging – 0 to 100% in just 50 minutes (vs 90 minutes on Samsung)
- Better wireless charging – 50W vs Samsung’s sluggish 15W
Even though the Oppo drains fast under heavy loads (due to a more powerful chip), it consistently outlasts Samsung in everyday use like social media, gaming, and browsing.
4. Displays: Bigger, Brighter, and Better
You’d think Samsung owns the screen game—but not this time:
- Larger, higher-resolution main display
- Anti-reflective coating similar to Samsung’s flagship S-series
- More natural cover screen size – it feels like using a regular phone
- Creaseless experience and improved aspect ratio
Samsung still wins on maximum outdoor brightness, but Oppo’s screen overall feels more premium and usable.
5. Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Dominates
Oppo’s foldable uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 “Elite” chip—a step ahead of Samsung’s current-gen foldable which still uses the Gen 2 chip.
In benchmark stress tests:
- 35% faster out of the gate
- Up to 50% faster under sustained use
Whether it’s app launches, camera processing, or gaming, Oppo clearly holds the performance edge—even though Samsung might feel snappier due to smoother animations.
6. Software: Multitasking Beast vs Polished Ecosystem
Oppo’s multitasking is top-tier:
- Drag-and-drop multiple apps into split-screen mode
- Simultaneously run Netflix + browser + VPN (Surfshark example)
- Built-in features like AI file organizer (File Dock) and OPlus Connect for fast transfers—even to iPhones
But there’s a caveat:
- Oppo’s software can feel a bit cheap
- Bloatware, unpolished UI, and annoying app recommendations
- Only 4 years of updates, compared to Samsung’s 7-year promise
Samsung’s One UI is cleaner, more stable, and benefits from a wider ecosystem of connected devices (smartwatches, tablets, earbuds).
7. AI Features: Cool But Inconsistent
Oppo’s foldable has powerful AI tricks:
- Image enhancer that sharpens blurry photos
- AI Studio app for generating custom AI photos
- AI reimagine tools and caption generation
But many of these features are inconsistent, not fully launched, or still in beta—unlike Samsung, which, while not perfect, offers more mature and integrated AI experiences.
8. Camera Showdown: A Mixed Bag
You’d expect the camera to be Oppo’s big win—but it’s not a clean sweep:
- Main camera: Oppo is sharp but sometimes overly contrasty; Samsung wins on color accuracy
- Ultra-wide: Oppo’s 8MP sensor is weak vs Samsung’s 12MP
- Zoom: Oppo wins with a 50MP 3x telephoto, which also doubles as a macro camera—a smart and practical design
However, Samsung’s portrait mode and overall camera tuning still deliver more consistent results.
9. Audio: Samsung Holds the Bassline
Due to Oppo’s ultra-thin design, speaker performance takes a hit. While Oppo’s audio is decent, it lacks the depth and richness of Samsung’s speakers. For media consumption, Samsung wins here.
Final Verdict: Oppo Takes the Lead – But Not Without Flaws
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Unboxing Value | Oppo |
| Build Quality | Oppo |
| Battery & Charging | Oppo |
| Display Quality | Oppo |
| Performance | Oppo |
| Multitasking | Oppo |
| Software/Ecosystem | Samsung |
| AI Features | Samsung (slightly) |
| Camera Experience | Tie |
| Audio Quality | Samsung |
Final Score: Oppo 6.5 – Samsung 3.5
Should You Buy It?
Yes—if you’re looking for cutting-edge hardware, a bigger battery, faster performance, and the most compact foldable design ever made, the Oppo Find N5 Foldable is the one to beat.
But if you’re all about software polish, long-term support, and ecosystem integration, Samsung still offers a more cohesive experience.
Which foldable would you pick? Let us know in the comments below
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