Oppo Find X3 Pro

Diving Deep with the Oppo Find X3 Pro: A Personal Look After Weeks of Testing

I've spent the past several weeks putting the Oppo Find X3 Pro through its paces, and I have to say, it's a device that has genuinely impressed me in several key areas. At its launch price point, it positioned itself as a serious contender in the premium smartphone market, and after living with it day in and day out, I've developed a clear understanding of where it shines and where it perhaps falls slightly short. My testing involved everything from heavy gaming sessions and demanding photo shoots to the mundane tasks of daily communication and media consumption. My initial impression was of a sleek, powerful phone with a focus on display and camera innovation – a feeling that largely held true throughout my evaluation.

Navigating the Premium Landscape

The Oppo Find X3 Pro arrived at a time when the premium smartphone battle was already fierce. Oppo, a brand known for its innovation and stylish designs, was clearly aiming to solidify its position amongst the top players. From my perspective, this phone represents a confident stride forward for Oppo, showcasing their ability to compete head-to-head with established giants. The initial price placed it in a bracket where expectations are incredibly high, demanding a near-flawless user experience. Whether it fully justifies that price tag is something I'll delve into, but it’s undeniable that Oppo brought some compelling technology to the table.

Design and Hardware: A Premium Feel

My first interaction with the Find X3 Pro was a tactile one. The sleek glass back, while a fingerprint magnet as most are, exudes a premium feel. The 8.3mm thickness strikes a good balance – substantial enough to feel solid, yet not overly bulky. At 193 grams, it has a noticeable heft, lending to that high-quality sensation. The curvature of the glass on the rear melds nicely into the aluminum frame, making it comfortable to hold, though I did find it a tad slippery at times, urging a case for those less confident in their grip. The build quality feels robust, suggesting good durability, though I always advise caution with glass-backed phones.

The Star of the Show: The Display

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is, without a doubt, one of the standout features of this phone. Firing it up for the first time, the vibrancy and sharpness immediately grabbed my attention. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through feeds and navigating the interface incredibly smooth – that "butter" feeling you often hear about is genuinely present here. What impressed me most was its performance in various lighting conditions. The peak brightness of 1300 nits ensures excellent visibility even under direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use. Consuming media on this display is a joy. Colors are rich and accurate, and the HDR10+ support adds a dynamic range that makes videos and photos pop. Gaming is equally immersive, with the high refresh rate contributing to a fluid and responsive experience. For my daily usage, which involves a lot of reading and browsing, the clarity and eye comfort features made a noticeable difference.

Performance: Power Where It Matters

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 888 chipset, coupled with 12GB of RAM in my test unit, provides ample power for any task you throw at it. In my testing, I experienced absolutely no lag or stutter, whether I was editing 4K video, playing graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, or juggling multiple demanding apps. Gaming sessions were smooth and enjoyable, with consistent frame rates and responsiveness. Multitasking was seamless, allowing me to switch between numerous applications without any noticeable slowdown. I did observe some warmth during prolonged heavy usage, particularly during extended gaming, but it never became uncomfortably hot. The thermal management seemed effective enough to prevent performance throttling in most scenarios.

Capturing Moments: The Camera System

The camera system is another area where the Find X3 Pro shines, particularly with its dual 50MP main and ultrawide sensors. My experience taking photos has been largely positive. The primary sensor captures images with excellent detail, vibrant colors, and good dynamic range. I was particularly impressed with its performance in well-lit conditions, producing sharp and punchy images. The ultrawide lens is equally capable, maintaining color consistency with the main sensor, which is a significant advantage. I specifically tested it in landscape photography, and the distortion at the edges was minimal. Video recording is also strong, with the optical image stabilization (OIS) doing a commendable job of keeping footage steady, even when walking. I experimented with various shooting scenarios, from low-light environments to fast-moving subjects, and the camera consistently delivered impressive results. The telephoto lens offers a useful zoom capability, although the digital zoom beyond 5x does introduce noticeable grain. The microlens, while a novel addition, felt more like a gimmick in my daily use. I haven't found many practical applications for it, but it's certainly a unique feature. The 32MP selfie camera produces clear and detailed selfies, performing well in various lighting conditions. Compared to other flagship cameras I've used, the Find X3 Pro holds its own, particularly in color reproduction and detail in its main and ultrawide lenses.

Powering Through: Battery and Charging

Battery life on the Find X3 Pro is decent, but not exceptional. The 4500mAh battery typically lasted me through a full day of moderate use, including social media, emails, browsing, and some photography. However, on heavier usage days involving gaming or extensive video watching, I found myself needing a top-up in the late afternoon. Where this phone truly excels is in its charging speed. The 65W SuperVOOC fast charging is phenomenal. In my testing, I could go from near-empty to a significant charge in a matter of minutes, and a full charge was consistently achieved in under 40 minutes. This is a game-changer for those who often find themselves needing a quick power boost. The omission of wireless charging, however, is a notable drawback at this price point, and something I personally missed.

Software Experience: Smooth and Functional

The Find X3 Pro runs on Oppo's ColorOS, which, in my experience, has become increasingly refined over the years. Daily usage felt smooth and intuitive. The interface is clean and well-organized, and I appreciated the various customization options available. Features like the under-display fingerprint sensor are fast and reliable, and NFC worked flawlessly for contactless payments. The 5G connectivity ensured consistently fast data speeds where available. While ColorOS has its own distinct aesthetic, I found it to be a functional and efficient operating system. The absence of a headphone jack is a minor inconvenience for those who still prefer wired headphones, but this is a trend common in many modern flagships.

Value Proposition: Where Does It Stand?

Analyzing the value of the Oppo Find X3 Pro requires considering its original price against the features and performance it offers. While it wasn't the cheapest option on the market, it delivered a premium experience in several key areas, particularly the display and camera system. For someone who prioritizes a stunning screen and versatile cameras, the Find X3 Pro presents a compelling package. It's a phone for users who appreciate cutting-edge technology and are willing to pay for it. However, those who prioritize exceptional battery life or rely heavily on wireless charging might find themselves looking at alternatives. Compared to competitors in its price range, the Find X3 Pro held its own, often outperforming in specific areas while falling slightly behind in others.

Final Verdict: A Strong Contender

Overall, my time with the Oppo Find X3 Pro has been largely positive. It's a well-rounded flagship device with a stunning display, a powerful camera system, and blazing-fast charging. While the battery life is merely good rather than exceptional, and the lack of wireless charging is a miss, the strengths of this phone significantly outweigh its weaknesses. I would recommend the Oppo Find X3 Pro to anyone seeking a premium smartphone experience with a focus on visual quality and photographic capabilities. It's a device that confidently competes in the high-end market and offers a genuine sense of innovation and quality. If you value a top-tier screen and a versatile camera setup, the Find X3 Pro is definitely worth considering.