Chinese smartphone maker Oppo has launched yet another mid-range smartphone in the market dubbed the Oppo K1. The K series (oblivious to many) isn’t the company’s headline-making series, yet keeps Oppo in the reckoning with people looking for a phone within the Rs 20,000 segment.
In this segment the Oppo K1 is in direct competition with the likes of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro and even the Asus Zenfone Max M2.
The Oppo K1 has been launched in India for Rs 16,990, which will be available starting 12 February. We got to play with the device for a while and here are the first impressions of the Oppo K1.
Specifications
- Display: 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED
- Processor: Snapdragon 660
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB (non-expandable)
- Rear camera: 16MP+2MP
- Front camera: 25MP
- Battery: 3,600mAh
- Price: Rs 16,990
Design & Display
The K1 sports a very minimalist design with rounded edges and a metallic finish at the back. The dual tone finish reminds me of the Oppo R17, which by the way is a good looking phone. I prefer the black variant of the phone which exuded a more premium look.
A striking 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display is the highlight of the phone that is complimented by a water drop notch at the top. Since it’s AMOLED tech, you can expect good colours and contrast from this one. To protect this setup, the company is offering Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Performance & Hardware
The K1 packs a Snapdragon 660 inside coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of in-built storage. It is not underwhelming considering the 660 can get the job done without any hiccups. I would have liked more storage though.
The phone comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor and also Face ID for that extra security. In terms of the extra hardware, it also offers a 3.5mm headphone jack.
I was disappointed that it still comes with Android Oreo out-of-the-box which is a big deal breaker.
Camera & Battery
The Oppo K1 comes with a 25-megapixel selfie camera that comes bundled with AI capabilities. It also packs a dual 16+2-megapixel rear camera with a depth sensor. I didn’t have the time to test how good or bad the camera is, but since Oppo calls itself “the selfie expert”, we expect it has decent performance.
The Oppo K1 comes with a 3,600mAh battery, which I feel is ideal for the package. Though, the flip side is that it still charges via a USB 2.0 port.
Initial Verdict
The Oppo K1 doesn’t really bring anything extra to the game. Rather, it covers all the basics. It’s got a 25-megapixel front camera, which to me is the USP of the device and the no-bezel display makes the deal sweeter.
I really don’t have a very compelling reason to ignore the Redmi Note 6 Pro and the Asus Zenfone Max M2 over the Oppo K1 in this price, but if you feel that a good selfie camera is the top priority on your list then the Oppo K1 is a good option for you.