Exploring the Oppo Find 8X Pro: An Impressive Smartphone Option for Android Devotees
Category: International Phones Worth ConsideringPractically available in over 50 nations, the Oppo Find 8X Pro (priced at £1,049 with 16GB of RAM and 512GB internal storage) is a standout. This high-end device boasts a robust construction while maintaining an attractive aesthetic. Its powerhouse Hasselblad cameras are capable of capturing stunning images, and the screen size of 6.78 inches is among the brightest I've encountered. It also features an 80W charger for rapid recharges. Impressively, the MediaTek processor helped the Find 8X Pro outperform the iPhone in certain areas. There are also several AI-driven features integrated into the device.
When discussing the iPhone, it's noteworthy that the Oppo Find 8X Pro was heavily inspired by one of the best smartphones on the market. It even comes with a programmable Action button (defaulting to photos), and the interface of Color OS 15 bears resemblance to iPhones. Oppo even simplifies the process of transferring files to an iPhone. However, despite these similarities, the Oppo Find 8X Pro is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a break from the typical expectations surrounding flagship phones.
Oppo Find 8X Pro Review: Design
I've handled numerous phones, but the Find 8X Pro is distinctive with its pearlescent finish. Adorning the back is a matte white glass panel, featuring soft bands that shimmer under the light. Near the top left corner, a large flash is positioned, alongside a significant, circular silver metal module housing a quad of camera sensors. Inscribed near the top are the words "Oppo." The device is also available in Space Black, a hue shared with the iPhone.
The phone's front is almost entirely screen, as a result of the Infinity View display. An 32MP camera is situated at the top of the screen, with an integrated fingerprint scanner near the bottom. The Find 8X is surrounded by a silver metal frame. The volume rocker and alert slider sit near the top, with grayscale stripes serving as distinguishing marks. The Power and Quick buttons are on the right, the latter acting as the Action button on the iPhone 16. The USB-C charging port and microSIM slot are situated at the bottom.
Both sides of the Find 8X Pro are resilient, crafted from Corning Gorilla Glass for scratch protection and potential impact resistance. Additionally, it includes IP68 and IP69 ratings, making it dust- and water-resistant. Should a water mishap occur, the Find 8X Pro can survive up to 30 minutes in water up to 1.5 meters deep.
Weighing 7.6 ounces and measuring 6.4 x 3 x 0.33 inches, the Find 8X Pro is lighter than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Oppo Find 8X Pro Review: Display
With slim bezel, vibrant colors, and striking brightness, the Find 8X Pro's 6.78-inch, 2780 x 1264p, OLED Infinity View display is a sight to behold. Whether watching series like Dan Da Dan or Found, playing games such as Dead Cells or Alien Isolation, or simply reading texts, the vivid hues, sharp details, and deep blacks are impressive. You can also customize the screen's appearance by choosing between two modes or adjusting the color temperature. However, as a flagship device, some might find the resolution in need of improvement.
The display's minimum brightness starts at 800 nits, while the maximum can reach an astounding 4,500. At the highest brightness, lighter colors and blacks may appear washed out or gray. The Find 8X Pro features adaptive brightness, allowing a smooth viewing experience by adjusting the refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz. This is particularly useful for gaming.
Oppo Find 8X Pro Review: UI
As my first review of an Oppo device, I was introduced to Color OS, which I found enjoyable. Based on Android 15, Color OS 15 is an intuitive UI with AI-driven features and simplified sharing with iPhones. The interface also boasts smoother interfaces thanks to the new Luminous Rendering Engine. Color OS 15 is highly customizable, allowing users to choose between unified or split notification/quick toggles panel views. Additionally, you can personalize the status bar's appearance.
The Color OS 15 navigation on this device is quite similar to stock Android, offering both gesture controls and the traditional three-button setup. The icons and widgets resemble those found on an iPhone, maintaining a smooth navigation experience. As an Android enthusiast, I find the interface enjoyable and familiar.
The AI-related features are housed under Oppo's AI umbrella, encompassing productivity and photo editing. Let's dive into the AI ToolBox, starting with AI Speak, which reads out your emails and notifications, and then there's AI Summary, which condenses highlighted text, and AI Writer, which enhances your writing style based on your personal style. The Recorder app generates succinct summaries of transcripts, and for documents, summary options are available in seven languages.
Oppo packs the Find 8X Pro with several AI-powered photo editing tools, such as AI Clarity Enhance, which upscales low-resolution images, and AI Unblur, which highlights finer details like hair and skin. For those photographs with distracting glares, AI Reflection Remover comes in handy. My favorite tool, however, is AI Studio, which allows me to create AI avatars of myself, transforming me into a futuristic space soldier or a beauty queen in different styles.
Oppo made sure the Find 8X Pro is compatible with the iPhone, implementing the Touch to Share feature. This feature allows iPhone and 8X Pro users to transfer files with a simple tap, provided the iPhone has the Oppo's O+ Connect app installed. Additionally, Oppo echoed Apple's Dynamic Island Alerts with ColorOS' Live Alerts, displaying real-time updates around the punch-hole camera.
Oppo Find 8X Pro Review: Performance
The Oppo Find 8X Pro boasts MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 processor, paired with the Trinity Engine, a proprietary system architecture designed to optimize the phone's performance and efficiency. The smartphone sports a vapor chamber with a graphite layer and thermal gel, ensuring that the components stay cool and perform at their best.
I pushed the Oppo Find 8X Pro to its limits, launching more than 50 tabs in Google Chrome. The device remained smooth as I navigated through pages and switched between apps, including Adobe Photoshop Express, Netflix, and several G-Suite apps. The Oppo also stood its ground when I engaged in an hour-long game of Dead Cells, maintaining a steady temperature and delivering impressive performance.
Geekbench 6 results showed that the Oppo Find 8X Pro held its own against other flagships, scoring a single-core result of 2,818 and a multi-core outcome of 8,434. It outperformed the Pixel 9 Pro XL and gave the iPhone 16 Pro Max a run for its money, solidifying its position as one of the few phones I've seen this year surpass the iPhone.
Oppo Find 8X Pro Review: Camera
Oppo teamed up with Hasselblad, the renowned camera manufacturer, to create the Find 8X Pro's quad camera setup. Each of the four cameras boasts a 50-megapixel sensor, with two telephoto shooters offering 3X and 6X optical zoom. According to Oppo, the Find 8X Pro is the first smartphone to feature dual-periscope telephoto cameras.
The main sensor is outfitted with a ƒ/1.6 aperture and a 1/1.4-inch sensor. The first telephoto lens offers a 50MP resolution and a ƒ/2.6 aperture with a 3X optical zoom, while the second telephoto lens provides a 6X optical zoom at ƒ/4. The ultrawide lens offers a ƒ/2.0 aperture, and the front camera sports a 32MP sensor at ƒ/2.4. I'm eager to compare this device against the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max, as my initial results have been impressive.
Wide shots
The proliferation of wide shots began with a close-up of a hornet's nest. With the 3X optical zoom, intricate details of the nest, like the ridges and tree pods, were rendered clearly. I also captured a few images of my adorable puppies, accurately portraying their charm. Despite the high action, there was minimal blurring, and on closer inspection, specific features of the dogs, such as Natasha's eye color and brindle pattern, were distinguishable.
Zoom shots
When it comes to digital zoom, the Find 8X Pro challenges the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's 120x digital zoom capability. Notably, pushing the zoom limit leads to noticeable blurring. In an attempt to combat this, Oppo implemented its AI Telephoto Zoom, evident in my picture of a distant skyscraper. Although the build of the building and some lighting elements were discernible, the overall image was somewhat blurry.
Selfie shots
The selfie camera doesn't disappoint either. The front camera captured precise details, showing off the intricate craftsmanship of my partner's pocket watch and the individual strands in his beard. His complexion had a warm hue with undertones of red, contrasting well with his olive green T-shirt.
In my personal testing, the Gizmodo battery trial, involving a 24-hour YouTube video with a screen brightness set to 50%, resulted in a run time of 19 hours and 42 minutes for the Find 8X Pro. However, the battery life can vary based on usage. I managed to squeeze out 12 hours and 29 minutes from the device, with a mix of activities such as browsing social media, watching episodes of Dune: Legacy, listening to music on Spotify, playing Streets of Rage 4, texting, and making occasional calls.
The smartphone supports 80W of wired fast charging and 50W of wireless charging, but for the wireless option, you'll need to invest in Oppo's specific wireless charger.
Oppo Find 8X Pro Review: Final Thoughts
This is my first encounter with an Oppo device, and I'm impressed by many aspects of the Find 8X Pro. It boasts a distinct, attention-grabbing design, a captivating display, and a fantastic camera setup. Although it runs on Color OS, which is Android software, it possesses features reminiscent of modern iPhones, even seamlessly transferring files between devices. Furthermore, a variety of AI functions catering to productivity and photo editing are incorporated. To some extent, the Find 8X Pro surpasses the iPhone 16 Pro Max in terms of performance. Its battery life is commendable, albeit dependent on your activities.
However, in terms of some features and the interface, Oppo strays too close to the iPhone's territory. Although imitation is a form of flattery, the Find 8X Pro teeters on the edge of being derivative. In regards to the display, I expected a higher resolution for the price tag. Also, the extreme brightness, maximuming at 4500 nits, while advantageous for legibility, can be excessive at times, potentially washing out some colors.
If you're searching for a flagship Android device with a strong iPhone influence, remarkable performance, longevity, and an impressive display, the Oppo Find 8X Pro is a contender.
When considering the future of smartphones, the Oppo Find 8X Pro's AI-driven features and powerful performance, like outperforming the iPhone in certain areas, indicate a promising trajectory for technology. Additionally, the device's ability to transfer files seamlessly with iPhones showcases a potential bridge between competing platforms, thereby encouraging more cross-platform reviews and comparisons in the reviews section of websites like Gizmodo.
