Six years of security updates the new norm for OPPO's budget range

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 29 July 2025

OPPO's latest entry-level phones - the $259 A5 4G and $219 A5x 4G - will both receive three years of operating system updates and six years of security updates, local Managing Director Michael Tran told WhistleOut.

Six years of security updates matches what OPPO promises for its mid-tier Reno 13 devices and its flagship Find X8 Pro. It's especially notable because many cheaper handsets tend to have limited software support, especially at a sub $300 price point. Some cheaper devices may not even get a single operating system update, and security tends to cap out at a maximum of three years.

"We believe long-term performance shouldn’t be limited to premium price points," said Tran.

"That’s why even our most affordable devices, like the new OPPO A5x 4G and A5 4G, come with an extensive software commitment; six years of security updates and three major Android OS upgrades. It’s part of our promise to deliver not just value on day one, but value that lasts.”

Manufacturers across the board have been getting better when it comes to software longevity at cheaper price points, but so far the improvements have benefited devices costing at least $400.

OPPO's $399 A5 Pro 5G and Motorola's $499 Moto G75 both promise five years of operating system updates and six years of security, while Samsung promises six and six for the $549 Samsung Galaxy A36. Conversely, Motorola's new $399 Moto G56 will only get one year of operating system updates and three years of security.

When it comes to OPPO's new A-series devices, the A5 4G and A5x 4G continue with the manufacturer's emphasis on durability. Both have "military-grade" shock resistance and an IP65 rating for water-resistance. IP65 does protect against submersion like higher ratings, but will prevent damage from low-pressure water jets and heavy rain.

And as the names might suggest, neither the A5 4G nor the A5x 4G have 5G connectivity.

The OPPO A5 4G is the slightly more premium of the two models, featuring a 6.67-inch 720p+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 chipset, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, and a 6,000mAh battery. It has a 50MP primary camera, a 2MP depth lens, and a 5MP selfie camera.

The main trade-offs with the cheaper OPPO A5x 4G are less RAM and a lower resolution primary camera. Full specifications include a 6.67-inch 720p+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, and a 6,000mAh battery. It has a 32MP primary camera and a 5MP selfie camera.

The pair ship with OPPO's take on Android 15.

Both phones are available now from retailers, including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, and OPPO's online store. The OPPO A5 4G comes in a choice of purple or white, while the OPPO A5x 4G is available in a choice of blue or white.

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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