In today’s fast-evolving smartphone market, finding a device that offers the perfect blend of durability, performance, and affordability can be a daunting task. The Oppo A3 Pro, launched in mid-2024, is a strong contender in the budget 5G smartphone segment, aiming to deliver a premium experience without burning a hole in your pocket. Priced under ₹20,000, the Oppo A3 Pro boasts some impressive features, including a rugged design, a smooth 120Hz display, and a capable MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. In this review, we take a deep dive into everything that makes this phone a worthy pick for budget-conscious buyers.
Design and Build Quality: Built to Last
One of the first things you notice about the Oppo A3 Pro is its sturdy and stylish design. Unlike many budget smartphones that compromise on durability, the Oppo A3 Pro comes with a 360-degree damage-proof armor body that’s certified to resist water, dust, and thermal shocks. This level of protection is usually reserved for premium rugged phones, but Oppo has successfully packed it into an affordable package.
The phone measures approximately 165.8mm x 76.1mm x 7.7mm and weighs around 186 grams, making it comfortable to hold without feeling bulky. The textured back panel not only enhances grip but also resists fingerprints and smudges, keeping your phone looking clean throughout the day.
This rugged build makes the Oppo A3 Pro an excellent choice for those with active lifestyles or those who are prone to accidental drops. Whether you’re a student, a field worker, or just someone who wants peace of mind about their phone’s durability, this device ticks that box confidently.
Display: Smooth and Bright for Everyday Use
The Oppo A3 Pro features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. This is quite remarkable for a phone in this price segment, as most competitors settle for 60Hz panels.
The 120Hz refresh rate means that everything from scrolling through social media feeds to playing games and watching videos feels buttery smooth. The display’s size strikes a perfect balance between immersive viewing and one-handed usability.
With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, the screen performs well even under bright sunlight, making it convenient for outdoor use. The color reproduction is vibrant without being overly saturated, and the viewing angles are decent, ensuring you get a consistent visual experience regardless of how you hold the phone.
While the display isn’t AMOLED, the IPS LCD panel used here is more than adequate for daily tasks and media consumption.
Performance: Reliable and Efficient
Under the hood, the Oppo A3 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, fabricated using a 6nm process. This octa-core processor is optimized for efficiency and balanced performance, making it suitable for day-to-day usage and moderate gaming.
Paired with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, the phone handles multitasking with ease. You can switch between apps smoothly, browse the web without lag, and run social media apps and streaming services without any hiccups.
The Dimensity 6300 chipset supports 5G connectivity, so users can enjoy faster internet speeds, provided their network supports it. This is a major plus point for those who want to future-proof their phone in the growing 5G landscape in India.
The device runs ColorOS 14, based on Android 14, which offers a clean, feature-rich user interface with useful customizations and optimizations. Oppo’s ColorOS has improved a lot over the years, offering better battery management, smoother animations, and a host of handy features such as a dark mode, smart sidebar, and gesture controls.
Camera: Good Enough for Casual Photography
The Oppo A3 Pro comes with a dual rear camera setup featuring a 64MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. On paper, the 64MP main camera promises sharp, detailed images, especially during the daytime.
In real-world usage, the camera performs well under good lighting conditions, capturing vibrant and detailed photos with accurate colors. The AI scene enhancement mode helps optimize shots depending on the environment, whether it’s food, landscapes, or portraits.
Low-light photography is decent but not exceptional. You might notice some noise and loss of detail in dimly lit conditions, which is understandable given the phone’s budget positioning.
For selfies, there is an 8MP front-facing camera that takes clear, natural-looking shots, suitable for video calls and social media.
The camera app is straightforward to use, with modes like Portrait, Night Mode, and Pro mode allowing users some creative control without overwhelming beginners.
Battery Life: Lasts the Day with Ease
The Oppo A3 Pro packs a 4500mAh battery, which is fairly standard for phones in this segment. Thanks to the energy-efficient Dimensity 6300 chipset and optimizations in ColorOS, the phone easily lasts a full day on moderate to heavy usage.
Typical usage such as web browsing, social media, video streaming, and light gaming drains the battery slowly, giving you around 6-7 hours of screen-on time. For users with lighter needs, this can stretch even longer.
The phone supports 33W fast charging, which can juice up the battery from 0 to around 50% in just 30 minutes. This is convenient for users who want to quickly charge their phone before heading out.
Connectivity and Other Features
Besides 5G support, the Oppo A3 Pro offers a solid array of connectivity options including:
- Dual SIM slots with 5G on both
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Bluetooth 5.3
- USB Type-C port
- 3.5mm headphone jack (a bonus for wired headphone users)
For security, it comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that is fast and reliable. Face unlock is also available and works well under most lighting conditions.
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Oppo A3 Pro?
The Oppo A3 Pro is a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a phone that combines durability, a smooth display, decent performance, and future-ready 5G connectivity — all under ₹20,000.
Pros:
- Rugged, 360-degree damage-proof body
- Smooth 120Hz 6.67-inch display with good brightness
- Efficient MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset with 8GB RAM
- Large 4500mAh battery with 33W fast charging
- Reliable fingerprint and face unlock
- Dual SIM 5G support
Cons:
- Camera performance is good in daylight but average in low light
- IPS LCD display instead of AMOLED
- No official IP rating (though ruggedness is claimed)
If you lead an active lifestyle or are prone to accidents, the rugged build alone can justify the purchase. Gamers and multimedia users will appreciate the smooth 120Hz display and solid performance. The Oppo A3 Pro is also a smart pick for students and professionals who need a reliable phone without overspending.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does the Oppo A3 Pro support 5G?
Yes, the phone supports dual SIM 5G connectivity, allowing you to access fast mobile internet on both SIM slots.
Q: Is the display AMOLED or LCD?
The Oppo A3 Pro features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Q: How good is the battery life?
The 4500mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate usage, and supports 33W fast charging.
Q: Can the phone handle gaming?
Yes, the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 and 8GB RAM provide smooth gameplay for casual and moderately demanding games.
Q: Is the phone water-resistant?
While the phone has a rugged, damage-proof design certified for water and dust resistance, it does not have an official IP rating.
The Oppo A3 Pro manages to tick most boxes for a budget 5G smartphone in 2024. Its combination of durability, smooth display, and reliable performance makes it a solid contender in the under ₹20,000 segment. If you’re looking for a phone that can keep up with your active lifestyle and provide smooth everyday performance, the Oppo A3 Pro deserves your consideration.
If you’re interested in exploring more detailed specifications, pricing updates, or user reviews, you can check out the official Oppo India website here.
