Oppo F9

In Qatar, the Oppo F9 is available in two variants: the 4GB RAM with 64GB storage model, priced at QAR 1,099, and the 6GB RAM with 64GB storage model, priced at QAR 1,299. These prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.

Oppo F9 Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	6.3″ IPS LCD, 1080 x 2340 pixels
Processor	MediaTek Helio P60
RAM	4GB / 6GB
Storage	64GB (expandable up to 256GB)
Main Camera	16MP + 2MP Dual Camera
Front Camera	25MP
Battery	3500mAh with VOOC Flash Charge
Operating System	ColorOS 5.2 based on Android 8.1
Fingerprint Sensor	Rear-mounted
Colors	Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue, Starry Purple

 

The Oppo F9 boasts a sleek design with a waterdrop notch, making it one of the first smartphones to feature this aesthetic. Its 6.3-inch IPS LCD display offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, perfect for multimedia consumption and everyday use. The device is powered by a MediaTek Helio P60 processor, which provides smooth performance for most tasks and light gaming.

One of the standout features of the Oppo F9 is its camera system. The 16MP + 2MP dual rear camera setup allows for decent photo quality and depth effects, while the 25MP front-facing camera is a selfie lover’s dream, offering clear and detailed self-portraits. The device also includes AI-enhanced photography features, improving image quality in various lighting conditions.

Battery life is another strong point of the Oppo F9. Its 3500mAh battery, coupled with VOOC Flash Charge technology, ensures that users can quickly top up their device and stay connected throughout the day. The phone can charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes, which is a significant advantage for busy users.

Design and Build Quality

The Oppo F9 stands out with its eye-catching design, particularly the unique waterdrop notch that houses the front-facing camera. This design choice allows for a high screen-to-body ratio, giving users more display real estate without increasing the overall size of the device. The phone’s back panel features a gradient color scheme, available in Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue, and Starry Purple, which adds a touch of elegance and modernity to its appearance.

In terms of build quality, the Oppo F9 features a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, which offers improved scratch and drop resistance compared to its predecessors. The back panel is made of plastic with a glossy finish that mimics glass, striking a balance between aesthetics and durability. The frame is also plastic, which helps keep the weight down to a comfortable 169 grams.

The device’s dimensions of 156.7 x 74 x 8 mm make it relatively compact for a phone with a 6.3-inch display. This size allows for comfortable one-handed use for most users, while still providing ample screen space for multimedia consumption and productivity tasks.

Display Technology

The Oppo F9 features a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of about 409 ppi. This Full HD+ resolution ensures crisp and clear visuals for text, images, and videos. The IPS technology provides good viewing angles and color reproduction, although it may not match the deep blacks and vibrant colors of OLED displays found in some competing devices.

The waterdrop notch design allows for a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, which is ideal for widescreen content and split-screen multitasking. The display covers approximately 84% of the front surface, offering an immersive viewing experience that was quite impressive for a mid-range phone at the time of its release.

While the display doesn’t feature high refresh rates like some newer models, it does offer a responsive touch experience and good outdoor visibility. The maximum brightness is sufficient for most lighting conditions, although it may struggle slightly under direct sunlight.

Camera Capabilities

The camera system on the Oppo F9 is one of its key selling points, especially for selfie enthusiasts. The rear setup consists of a 16MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, paired with a 2MP depth sensor. This combination allows for decent photo quality in various lighting conditions and the ability to create bokeh effects in portrait mode shots.

The main rear camera performs well in daylight conditions, capturing images with good detail and accurate colors. In low-light situations, the performance is acceptable for its class, though it may struggle with noise and detail preservation compared to more advanced camera systems.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the 25MP front-facing camera, which boasts an f/2.0 aperture. This high-resolution selfie camera captures detailed self-portraits and is complemented by AI beautification features that can enhance facial features without looking overly artificial. The front camera also supports HDR, which helps balance exposure in challenging lighting situations, such as when taking selfies with bright backgrounds.

Video recording capabilities include 1080p at 30fps for both the rear and front cameras. While not cutting-edge, this is sufficient for casual video capture and social media sharing. The inclusion of electronic image stabilization (EIS) helps smooth out minor hand movements during video recording.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the Oppo F9 is the MediaTek Helio P60 chipset, an octa-core processor manufactured on a 12nm process. This chip features four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz for high-performance tasks and four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz for power efficiency. The GPU is a Mali-G72 MP3, which handles graphics processing for gaming and UI animations.

The device comes in two RAM configurations: 4GB and 6GB. Both variants offer 64GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 256GB via a dedicated microSD card slot. This combination of processor, RAM, and storage provides smooth performance for everyday tasks, light multitasking, and moderate gaming.

In real-world usage, the Oppo F9 handles social media apps, web browsing, and media consumption with ease. It can also manage light to moderate gaming, though more demanding titles may require lower graphics settings for optimal performance.

The inclusion of a dedicated microSD slot is a notable feature, as it allows users to expand storage without sacrificing dual SIM functionality, which is particularly useful in the Qatari market where dual SIM usage is common.

Software and User Interface

The Oppo F9 runs on ColorOS 5.2, based on Android 8.1 Oreo. While not the latest version of Android, ColorOS offers a feature-rich experience with numerous customization options. The interface is user-friendly, with a clean design and intuitive navigation.

Some of the notable software features include:

1. Smart Bar: A quick access sidebar for frequently used apps and functions.
2. Game Space: A mode that optimizes performance and blocks notifications during gaming sessions.
3. Clone Apps: The ability to run multiple instances of the same app, useful for managing multiple accounts.
4. Gesture Navigation: Full-screen gesture controls for a more immersive experience.

Oppo has also included several AI-powered features, such as AI Battery Management, which learns user habits to optimize battery life, and AI Scene Recognition in the camera app, which automatically adjusts settings based on what you’re photographing.

It’s worth noting that while the Oppo F9 may not receive the latest Android updates, ColorOS updates can still bring new features and security improvements to the device.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the standout features of the Oppo F9 is its battery performance and charging capabilities. The device is equipped with a 3500mAh battery, which provides good endurance for a full day of moderate to heavy use.

What sets the Oppo F9 apart is its VOOC Flash Charge technology. This fast-charging system can deliver up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes, which is a significant advantage for users who need quick power boosts throughout the day. The full charge time is approximately 80 minutes, which is impressive for a battery of this capacity.

In terms of battery life, users can expect:

• Up to 14 hours of continuous video playback
• Up to 11 hours of web browsing
• Up to 33 hours of talk time

The actual battery life will vary depending on usage patterns, network conditions, and enabled features. The device also includes power-saving modes that can extend battery life in low-power situations.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Oppo F9 offers a comprehensive set of connectivity options to cater to the needs of Qatari users:

1. Dual SIM: Supports two Nano-SIM cards for multiple network connections.
2. 4G LTE: Compatible with Qatar’s 4G networks for fast data speeds.
3. Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac for high-speed wireless connectivity.
4. Bluetooth 4.2: For wireless audio and accessory connections.
5. GPS: Supports GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for accurate location services.
6. FM Radio: Built-in FM radio receiver for local station access.
7. USB OTG: Supports USB On-The-Go for connecting external devices.

Additional features include:

• Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor: Quick and reliable biometric security.
• Face Unlock: An alternative method for device unlocking using facial recognition.
• 3.5mm headphone jack: Allows use of traditional wired headphones.
• Dual speakers: Provides stereo sound for an enhanced audio experience.

Oppo F9 vs. Competitors

When comparing the Oppo F9 to its competitors in the Qatari market, several factors come into play:

1. Samsung Galaxy A50:
   • Pros: Super AMOLED display, triple camera setup, larger battery (4000mAh)
   • Cons: More expensive, potentially slower charging
2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro:
   • Pros: 48MP main camera, larger battery (4000mAh), lower price
   • Cons: MIUI may not be as polished as ColorOS, potentially slower charging
3. Huawei P30 Lite:
   • Pros: Triple camera setup, more modern design
   • Cons: Similar price, potentially less powerful processor
4. Oppo F11:
   • Pros: Larger display, higher resolution main camera (48MP), bigger battery
   • Cons: More expensive, similar processor performance
5. Oppo F15:
   • Pros: AMOLED display, quad-camera setup, in-display fingerprint sensor
   • Cons: Significantly more expensive, may be overkill for some users

The Oppo F9 holds its ground with its fast charging capability, high-resolution selfie camera, and balanced performance. It’s particularly appealing for users who prioritize quick charging and selfie quality without breaking the bank.

Value for Money in the Qatari Market

In the context of the Qatari smartphone market, the Oppo F9 offers good value for money, especially considering its price point and feature set. Its competitive pricing, coupled with features like VOOC Flash Charge and a high-resolution selfie camera, make it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who don’t want to compromise on key smartphone experiences.

The device’s build quality and design are on par with more expensive models, giving users a premium feel without the premium price tag. The waterdrop notch design, which was quite novel at the time of release, adds to the phone’s modern aesthetic.

For Qatari users, the dual SIM functionality is particularly valuable, allowing for easy management of personal and work numbers or for taking advantage of different carrier plans. The dedicated microSD slot is also a plus, as it doesn’t force users to choose between dual SIM functionality and expanded storage.

Long-term Usage and Support

While the Oppo F9 was released in 2018, it remains a viable option for users who don’t require the absolute latest features. Oppo has a track record of providing software updates and security patches for its devices, which helps extend the usable life of the phone.

The device’s hardware specifications, including the Helio P60 processor and 4GB/6GB of RAM, are sufficient to handle most day-to-day tasks and should continue to perform adequately for the foreseeable future. The 64GB of storage, expandable via microSD, also provides ample space for apps, photos, and media.

In terms of physical durability, the Gorilla Glass 6 protection on the front display offers good resistance against scratches and minor drops. The plastic back, while not as premium as glass, is less prone to shattering if dropped.