Oppo F3

The OPPO F1s was a true game-changer in the smartphone market. Upon its release, units were selling, like hotcakes. This feat was only to be expected from a phone that captures selfies impressively and retails at a very competitive price. OPPO hopes to recreate and multiply this success with the launch of the F3.

- Mia Carisse Barrientos

DESIGN

If you’ve seen the F3 Plus—at least in pictures— you could tell that the F3 and its Plus version are like two peas in a pod, albeit the latter just a tad bigger. And if you’ve handled an F1s, there’s going to be an overwhelming sense of déjà vu upon first glance of the F3. This is exactly what I felt when my eyes fell on the Oppo F3. There was a feeling of familiarity—the good kind, as I know I have a good phone in my hand.

The F3 is undeniably an OPPO phone with its subtle emblem on its rear, smooth finishing, and a home button on its front, all of which are marque characteristics of the Chinese brand’s roster of phones. It has the basics strategically placed on various sides of the device, with the audio jack unexpectedly at the bottom along with the speaker grille and micro USB port.

Like its bigger sibling, the F3 features a solid state fingerprint scanner upfront which doubles as its home button. This feature is flanked by two capacitive keys which are the end tasks and return function. Honestly, I was a bit sceptical about the non-sinking home button, but it just takes a few minutes to get used to it.