Welcoming the success of the A16 and A16e series, OPPO A16k is here as OPPO Indonesia’s newest hero in the entry-level class. The price is still pocket-friendly but actually puts forward specifications that are more tempting than the A16e . What are his abilities like? Come on, just take a look at our review!
Similar but not the same
Yes, that’s the sentence that best describes A16k and A16e. The design is similar when viewed from the front and rear. Even in terms of dimensions and weight, it remains the same, which is 164 x 75.4 x 7.9mm 175 grams. What distinguishes the two is the color and finishing options on the back panel.
OPPO A16k now offers Black and White color variants, with an elegant matte finish and not easily dirty by finger marks. The grip sensation feels right, not slippery, and comfortable to put in a trouser pocket. Operating this phone with one hand is definitely not a problem.
In front of you, you are again presented with a 6.52-inch screen that has minimalist bangs to accommodate the selfie camera. The bezels aren’t exactly thin, but they’re still reasonable for an affordable smartphone. The panel is an IPS panel with HD + resolution and a brightness level of up to 480 nits so it’s still okay when viewed in the sun.
OPPO’s decision not to provide a screen with Full HD resolution in our opinion is quite right. Besides still looking sharp for needs such as browsing to watching movies, the HD+ screen also makes the hardware load lighter so that the performance feels smoother, and saves more power.
Not to forget, the A16k screen is supported by All-day Eye Care technology which is equipped with features such as Sunlight Display, Moonlight Display, and AI Smart Backlight. With these various features, you will get a healthy and comfortable visual experience all day long.
Coming back to the design, on the bottom side you will find the speaker hole along with a 3.5mm audio jack port and a microUSB port. Yes, still microUSB. Please note that the A16k is not equipped with a fingerprint sensor. To lock your phone you can rely on a password or face unlock.
There are three available slots, including two for SIM-cards and one specifically dedicated to microSD. In the sales package, the A16k is equipped with a softcase, microUSB cable, 10W charger, SIM ejector, warranty card and manual.
Tough body and IPX4 sertifikasi certification
It’s incomplete to discuss affordable OPPO phones without discussing the toughness of the body. Yes, OPPO did design the A16k as an ideal device for long-term use. This smartphone has gone through various internal tests such as testing the microUSB port 10,000 times, testing the volume button 10,000 times, and testing the power button up to 20,000 times.
It should also be noted that the OPPO A16k has an IPX4 certification which means it is resistant to splashing water. Those of you who are often outdoors don’t have to worry about light to moderate rain when you’re using your phone.
Camera equipped with Night Mode
OPPO A16k only has one camera on the back with a 13 MP sensor. There is no wide-angle lens, macro lens, or depth sensor. Then, does this indicate that the A16k’s photography capabilities are not better than its competitors? Not necessarily. For us, one rear camera is enough as long as the photo quality is good.
The A16k main camera itself is supported by the HDR Backlight feature to maintain detail when taking photos in strong backlit or low-light environments. There are also three new night filters for shooting night city views, and AI beautification for more natural portraits.
There is also a choice of modes such as Night for low light conditions, Time-lapse, Panorama, to Expert or Pro which allows manual settings for ISO, shutter speed, white balance, focus, and exposure. So, the question is, what are the results?
The photos from the A16k main camera deserve thumbs up when capturing the moment in ideal light conditions. The detail captured is high, while the color reproduction looks natural but still feels alive or not pale. Its dynamic range is also wide enough for a mobile phone of USD $139.
When invited to take pictures at night, the presence of Night Mode is very helpful in producing bright and sharp photos. Noise does still appear here and there, and sometimes the night atmosphere is a bit disturbed due to overexposure. But if the moment is right, the OPPO A16k unexpectedly turns out to be quite reliable for low-light photos.
To record video, the A16k rear camera can be set up to 1080p resolution at 30fps. So is the front camera. Here’s the recording:
Standard performance for everyday use
In terms of performance, the A16k is armed with the MediaTek Helio G35 chipset complete with System Booster support with a series of optimizations that are promised to provide smooth performance every time. Yes, this is the same chipset as used in the A16. If it’s A16e, the chipset is Helio P22.
The embedded RAM is 4 GB with 64 GB of storage which can be expanded with a microSD. For standard everyday use such as online learning, chatting, video calling or online meetings, social media, or watching videos on YouTube, the performance of the OPPO A16k feels quite smooth.
For gaming, it’s still okay for titles like Mobile Legends on Medium settings with active HFR, and PUBG Mobile on Smooth-Medium settings. Even so, it must be admitted that the A16k chipset is not as powerful as some of its competitors in the same price range, especially when it comes to gaming.
This smartphone has a 4,230 mAh battery and is supported by features such as Super Nighttime Standby, Optimized Night Charging, and Super Power Saving Mode. We can use it from morning to night without having to run out of power in the middle of the road. Even the durability can be up to 2 days if the style of use is less intense. One thing that is a bit lacking is the charging is not fast.
OPPO A16k is a ColorOS 11.1 based smartphone that offers efficiency, convenience, privacy, and security with various superior features such as FlexDrop, Three Finger Translation, and Free Screenshots to help increase work productivity. You can also enjoy the Background Stream feature if you want to enjoy music or videos in the background.
Conclusion
For users with standard needs such as communication and social media, the OPPO A16k is an interesting option worth considering. The performance is smooth, the design is quite okay and tough, and is supported by a rear camera that is quite good in its class.
For those who are interested, the OPPO A16k with 4/64 GB memory is sold for IDR 2,199,000. This device can be purchased online through the OPPO Store application installed on all OPPO smartphones or the OPPO Official Store on a network of leading e-commerce sites such as Shopee, Lazada, Tokopedia, Blibli, JDID, Akulaku, and Tiktok Shop. While offline purchases can be made through the OPPO Store and also shops selling OPPO smartphone devices throughout Indonesia.
OPPO A16k is suitable for:
- Beginner users: The A16k is ideal for people who are just switching to Android smartphones, such as parents or schoolchildren.
- Students/students: for online learning needs, this smartphone offers reliable performance. The price is also affordable.
- Mobile employees: If you need a budget phone with a long battery life, rugged design, and performance for standard needs like communications, the A16k is worth checking out.
Pros of OPPO A16k:
- Robust body, IPX4 . certification
- The back panel is not easy to get dirty
- Slim, light, and easy to grip
- The rear camera is pretty good
- Long battery life
- Smooth performance for light everyday wear
- Screen with All-Day Care
- ColorOS 11.1 includes many interesting features
Disadvantages of OPPO A16k:
- Still microUSB
- No fingerprint sensor
- Charging is not as fast as its competitors
- It will be more interesting if it is equipped with a more powerful chipset
