OPPO, a BBK-owned brand known for its aggressive marketing and influencer tie-ins in Nigeria, has released a trio of budget 4G smartphones: the Oppo A3X/A3 4G vs A5 Pro 4G. On paper, they look decent—Snapdragon SoC, 90Hz displays, 45W charging—but when you check the specs and especially the price tags, the story starts to fall apart. Are these phones actually worth it, or are we witnessing another episode of what some now call “OPPOverpricing”?
Let’s break down how these phones compare—and whether the OPPO A5 Pro justifies its N330K price tag, especially when its siblings offer nearly the same experience for much less.
OPPO A3X/A3 4G vs A5 Pro 4G Specs Comparison Table
| Feature | OPPO A3X | OPPO A3 | OPPO A5 Pro 4G | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Plastic, 186g, IP54 | Plastic, 186g, IP54 | Plastic, 194g, IP68/69, rugged | A5 Pro is more rugged |
| Display | 6.67″ HD+, 90Hz, Panda Glass | Same | 6.67″ HD+, 90Hz, GG 7i/AGCD | All the same |
| SoC | SD 6s 4G Gen 1 | Same | Same | All the same |
| RAM & Storage | 4GB + 128GB (eMMC 5.1) | 6GB + 128GB (eMMC 5.1) | 8GB + 256GB (UFS 2.1) | A5 Pro |
| OS & UI | Android 14, ColorOS 14 | Same | Android 15, ColorOS 15 | A5 Pro (newer OS) |
| Main Camera | 8MP | 50MP | 50MP | A3X is clearly behind |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP | Same | 8MP | A5 Pro |
| Video | 1080p @30/60fps | Same | Same | Tie |
| Audio | Mono + 3.5mm jack | Same | Stereo, no 3.5mm jack | Trade-off: stereo vs 3.5mm jack |
| Comms | 4G, Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.0, NFC | Same | Same | Tie |
| Battery | 5100mAh 45W fast charge | Same | 5800mAh 45W fast charge | A5 Pro wins on battery size |
| Price (Naira) | ₦177,900 (4/128) | ₦247,000 (6/128) | ₦330,000 (8/256) | All over priced |
Point-by-Point Analysis
Body & Durability
The A5 Pro 4G is the only one with IP68/69 protection, meaning it’s more rugged and water-resistant than its cheaper siblings. That’s a win if you need durability, but it adds bulk and weight.
Winner: A5 Pro
Display
All three phones come with a 6.67-inch 720p IPS LCD at 90Hz. At over ₦250K, a 720p screen is simply not acceptable. Worse still, the A5 Pro uses the same resolution despite the price hike. Gorilla Glass 7i on the A5 Pro is tougher than Panda Glass, but resolution matters more here.
Winner: Tie (but also a loss for all due to 720p panels)
Performance (CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage)
All three use the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1, which is just a dressed-up Snapdragon 665 from 2019. It’s fine for WhatsApp and light gaming, but not competitive in 2025.
The A5 Pro finally ditches eMMC for UFS 2.1, and also packs 8GB of RAM. So it’s faster overall, but not enough to justify a ₦330K price tag.
Winner: A5 Pro, but not by much
OS & Software
The A5 Pro ships with Android 15 and ColorOS 15, which is one version newer than the A3 and A3X. That’s a plus if long-term updates matter to you.
Winner: A5 Pro
Cameras
The A3X has a paltry 8MP rear camera, while the A3 and A5 Pro both offer 50MP shooters. The A5 Pro edges out with a better selfie camera (8MP vs. 5MP).
Winner: A5 Pro
Audio
The A5 Pro has stereo speakers, a rarity in OPPO’s budget segment. But it lacks a headphone jack. Meanwhile, the A3 and A3X retain the 3.5mm jack—great if you’re still using wired earphones.
Winner: Depends—stereo (A5 Pro) vs. jack (A3/A3X)
Connectivity
Nothing sets them apart here. All models have 4G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, USB-C, GPS, and NFC.
Winner: Tie
Battery & Charging
The A5 Pro has a 5800mAh battery, slightly larger than the 5100mAh on the A3 and A3X. All support 45W charging, so speed is consistent.
Winner: A5 Pro
Price & Value
Here’s where things get dicey. The A3X starts at ₦177,900, and while it’s basic, it’s priced somewhat reasonably. The A3 with 50MP camera and 6GB RAM jumps to ₦247,000, which is already too much for what it offers.
But then there’s the A5 Pro at ₦330,000. That’s Galaxy A16 4G and Redmi Note 14 4G territory—and both those phones offer better value, displays, and long-term software support.
Winner: A3X for affordability, A5 Pro loses on value
Summary, Verdict & TL;DR
The OPPO A5 Pro 4G looks rugged and polished, but when you peel back the layers, it’s just a slightly upgraded OPPO A3 with an IP68 rating, stereo speakers, UFS storage, and a better selfie camera. Is that worth ₦330K? Not really.
The A3X is dirt cheap but underpowered. The A3 is overpriced for what is essentially a 2019-era phone with shiny new clothes. And the A5 Pro is what happens when a brand slaps on a few upgrades and asks for ₦100K more.
Verdict:
- A3X: Buy only if you must and are on a tight budget.
- A3 4G: Hard to recommend—better phones exist around ₦250K.
- A5 Pro 4G: Not worth ₦330K. You’re paying a premium for minor upgrades and a rugged shell.
TL;DR: All three OPPO phones use outdated hardware dressed in 2025 software and branding. Unless you really need a rugged phone, skip the A5 Pro and look elsewhere—Samsung and Xiaomi offer better phones for less.
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