Is the OPPO Find X5 better value than the Find X5 Pro?

It’s still 2 weeks until OPPO Australia’s local launch event for their new X5 phone series so while we wait to find out pricing, carrier and retail availability there’s time to compare the top of the line Find X5 Pro vs the second tier Find X5.

In last years Find X3 series there was a $500 price difference (30% lower) between the Find X3 Pro vs the second tier Find X3 Neo, so you’d expect a similar difference this time. The following are the key specifications for the OPPO Find X5 Pro in Australia.

The following are the key specifications for the OPPO Find X5 in Australia.

As you can see there are many common features as both phones have Color OS 12.1 based on Android 12, 80W fast wired charging, MariSiliconX imaging for excellent low light photos and video, 1 billion colour screen as well as the same main and wide angle camera sensors.

While the main 1x camera sensor is the same in both phones, if you have shaky hands or like to take photos/video in low light note that the X5 Pro has 3-axis sensor-shift, 2-axis lens-shift which aids in those circumstances.

Another difference is that the Find X5 Pro has the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset whereas the Find X5 has last years leading Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset.

One thing that could make a difference in performance is the X5 Pro has 12GB RAM vs the X5 with 8GB as many apps are quite RAM hungry these days especially games.

If you don’t really push your phone with intense gaming, video or other computationally challenging tasks the new chipset and extra RAM won’t make much difference in day to day tasks.

Looking at the exterior the X5 Pro back is made of ceramic which is said to be more durable and better at dissipating heat than the more standard glass back of the X5 which means in theory the X5 Pro could be used without a case.

OPPO says that the X5 Pro can survive tumble, standard drop as well as multi angle drop tests onto a marble surface.

The X5 Pro at 6.7 inches WQHD+ resolution is slightly more water and dust proof with IP68 vs the X5 which is 6.5 inches, FHD+ resolution and IP54.

The X5 is 22 grams lighter at 196 grams compared to the X5 Pro which weighs in at 216 grams. Being smaller and lighter the X5 will appeal more to people with smaller hands.

Looking at battery life the X5 Pro has a capacity of 5000mAh vs the X5 at 4800mAh. In real life they should last a similar length of time as the X5 has a smaller screen. While wired charging is the same at 80W for both, the X5 Pro can be used with a 50W OPPO wireless charger while the X5 only works at 30W wireless.

What do you think of this pair of phones?

With an expected 30% price difference I reckon the X5 is better value for money than the X5 Pro if your personal budget is impacted by the current worldwide economic turmoil that has caused the price of food and energy to spike.

However if you can afford it the X5 Pro has some standout features you won’t get in the competing Samsung S22 range such as the latest Snapdragon chipset instead of Exynos, unique ceramic back, 50W wireless charging and 5 axis main camera stabilisation.