Oppo A5 Pro Review: The Ultimate Budget Phone with IP68/69 Durability and 80°C Waterproofing
Hey, tech lovers! It’s April 13, 2025, and today we’re diving into the Oppo A5 Pro, a budget marvel launched in Pakistan’s offline market that’s turning heads with its rugged durability, massive battery, and pro-grade features. Priced around ₹13,000-15,000 in India, this successor to the Oppo A3 packs upgrades like IP68/IP69 waterproofing, military-grade shock resistance, and a 5800mAh battery. I’ve unboxed, dropped, and dunked it in water and tested it in the chaos of Karachi’s streets—snapping pics, gaming, and pushing its limits.
Unboxing: A Premium Budget Experience
The Oppo A5 Pro arrives in a classic A-series box—sleek, with “A5 Pro” emblazoned proudly. Inside, you get:
- The phone (I got the stunning Olive Green vegan leather variant)
- A 45W SuperVOOC charger
- A Type-A to Type-C cable
- A premium silicone case (better than most budget offerings)
- A SIM ejector tool
- Manuals and warranty card
First impressions? It’s a looker—a vegan leather back, no bulky camera bump, and a boxy, premium feel that matches its price. At 186 grams and 8.2mm thick, it’s comfy yet solid. The pre-installed screen protector adds value—Oppo’s not cutting corners here.
Design and Durability: Built Like a Tank
Look and Feel
The A5 Pro screams durability with style. The vegan leather back (also in Moonlight Silver and Starry Black) feels luxe—soft, grippy, and fingerprint-proof. Unlike the A3’s plasticky vibe, this single-piece frame oozes quality. The flat 6.77-inch display and side-mounted fingerprint scanner keep it sleek, while the boxy edges add a modern edge—think iPhone, but comfier. No headphone jack, but Type-C connectivity and dual mics cover the basics. The SIM tray takes two SIMs plus a microSD—rare flexibility in 2025.
Rugged Build
Oppo’s big claim? Military-grade shock resistance and IP68/IP69 waterproofing—yes, it survives 80°C boiling water! I drop-tested it:
- Pocket height (3ft): Landed screen-first—zero scratches, Gorilla Glass 7i held up.
- Shoulder height (5ft): Back and front drops—no cracks, haptics still buzzed.
- Head height (6ft): Tossed it—minor frame dent, screen and cameras unscathed.
- Extreme toss: Flung it flat—frame scratched, but display and functions? Perfect.
Then, the water test: submerged for 5 minutes with underwater video mode on. Result? Crystal-clear photos, no watermarks on the IPS panel—IP69 is legit. Rain, spills, or a hot chai splash? This phone laughs it off.
Why It Matters: Unmatched toughness for Pakistan’s rough streets—budget phones don’t get sturdier.
Display: Decent, Not Dazzling
The 6.77-inch HD+ IPS LCD (720×1600) with 90Hz refresh rate is the A5 Pro’s weakest link. Colors are vibrant, scrolling’s smooth—great for TikTok or dramas—but 720p resolution feels dated vs. FHD+ rivals like the Realme C85. 1000 nits peak brightness handles outdoor glare (tested in Karachi sun), and Gorilla Glass 7i adds peace of mind. No AMOLED, but for casual users, it’s fine—Netflix looked sharp enough in a dim room.
Dual stereo speakers (one bottom grille, one earpiece) deliver loud, clear sound—better than the A3’s mono setup. Watching Heeramandi, vocals were crisp, though bass lacked punch. For PKR 50,000, it’s a solid media combo.
Why It Matters: Good enough for daily use—audio shines, display’s just okay.
Performance: Budget Power Done Right
Powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 4G (11nm, 2.1GHz) with Adreno 610 GPU, 8GB LPDDR4x RAM, and UFS 2.1 storage (256GB tested), the A5 Pro’s no speed demon but handles basics well. AnTuTu score: ~287,900—on par with the Vivo Y28s. Apps like WhatsApp, Chrome, and Instagram ran smoothly; light multitasking (6 apps) was lag-free. Gaming? BGMI hit 40 FPS on medium settings—playable, not pro-grade. Candy Crush? Buttery. It warmed up after 30 minutes but never throttled.
FunTouch OS 15 on Android 15 is clean—minimal bloat, fluid animations. AI features (Eraser 2.0, Reflection Remover, Unblur) worked like a charm; I fixed a blurry market snap in seconds. Oppo promises 2 OS updates and 3 years of security patches—decent for budget.
Why It Matters: Reliable for casual users—students and social media buffs won’t complain.
Camera: Basic but Usable
The 50MP main (f/1.8) + 8MP selfie setup is unchanged from the A3—no big leaps. Daylight shots? Vibrant, slightly oversaturated—great for Insta. Low-light? Grainy but usable with Night Mode. 1080p/30fps video is smooth—Oppo’s color science adds pop. Selfies? Decent indoors, soft outdoors—fine for video calls. Underwater mode impressed—clear photos after a 5-minute dunk.
Compared to the Redmi 14C’s 50MP, it’s similar—budget cams don’t wow, but AI tools (Unblur, Eraser) add value. No ultrawide or macro—missed chances.
Why It Matters: Good enough for casual snaps—AI saves the day.
Battery: A Two-Day Titan
The 5800mAh battery is a beast—2 days of mixed use (calls, social media, 2 hours YouTube) with 30% left. Heavy day with BGMI and video? Still hit bedtime at 10%. 45W SuperVOOC charges 50% in 20 minutes—10 minutes gave me 3-4 hours in a pinch. Compared to the A3’s 5000mAh, it’s a stamina champ—no rival under ₹15,000 matches it.
Why It Matters: Marathon battery for Pakistan’s power-cut reality—charges fast, lasts long.
Software: AI Smarts and Clean UI
FunTouch OS 15 feels polished—customizable lock screens, no laggy animations. AI Eraser 2.0 zapped photobombers; AI Unblur fixed shaky shots. Circle to Search and Studio add creativity—edited a market pic into a cartoon, nailed it. Updates? Android 16 and 17 plus 3 years of patches—solid for budget. Pre-installed apps (Hotstar, Byju’s) uninstall easily—rare win.
Why It Matters: Smooth, future-proof AI perks make it fun.
Connectivity and Extras
4 G-only (no 5G in Pakistan’s variant) supports dual SIMs and microSD. Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS held strong—no drops on Zong 4G. Side fingerprint scanner is fast; haptics feel premium. Underwater camera mode and vibration purge (clears earpiece water) are genius for rugged use.
Why It Matters: Practical features—stays connected, built for real life
Oppo A5 Pro vs. Rivals
| Feature | Oppo A5 Pro (~₹13,000) | Redmi 14C (~₹12,000) | Vivo Y28s (~₹14,000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.77″ HD+ 90Hz IPS | 6.88″ HD+ 120Hz IPS | 6.56″ HD+ 90Hz IPS |
| Processor | Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 | Dimensity 6020 | Helio G85 |
| Battery | 5800mAh, 45W | 5160mAh, 33W | 5000mAh, 44W |
| Camera | 50MP + 8MP | 50MP + 2MP | 50MP + 2MP |
| Durability | IP68/IP69, military | IP54 | IP64 |
Vs. Redmi: Better battery, tougher build—Redmi’s 120Hz edges out.
Vs. Vivo: Bigger battery, superior durability—Vivo’s processor is weaker.
Helpful Tips for A5 Pro Owners
- Battery Saver: Toggle 60Hz for extra hours—extends to 2.5 days.
- Camera Hack: Use AI Unblur for shaky shots—saves blurry selfies.
- Rugged Use: Enable underwater mode for pool pics—wipe after to purge water.
- Storage Boost: Add a microSD—256GB fills fast with videos.
Verdict: Oppo A5 Pro’s Budget Brilliance
The Oppo A5 Pro (~₹13,000-15,000) is a rugged budget king—IP68/IP69, military-grade durability, and a 5800mAh battery make it unbeatable for tough users. The 720p display and basic camera hold it back, but AI tools, stereo speakers, and 45W charging seal the deal. Available offline with discounts—students, workers, or clumsy folks, this is your phone. Love it? Hate it? Comment below!
Around ₹13,000-15,000, available offline with discounts.
Yes—IP68/IP69 rated, survives 80°C water and 5-minute submersion.
5800mAh lasts 2 days; 45W charging hits 50% in 20 minutes.
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Tech Spurt
Hey, tech aficionados! I’m Chris Barraclough, the chap behind Tech Spurt, serving up in-depth reviews and unboxings of smartphones, laptops, and gadgets. With 15+ years as a UK tech journalist—TechRadar, Mobile Choice—I live-test every device for real-world insights. Subscribe for the good stuff—let’s geek out!