OPPO AX7 Review

Aesthetics are typically one of the first compromises you make if you buy a cheap phone. Saving money typically means getting slugged with nasty plastic and an unrefined design that screams afterthought. Thankfully, this is far from the case with the OPPO AX7.

Retailing for $399 outright (or $319 through Optus prepaid), OPPO's latest budget device looks anything but. It's almost a dead-ringer for its pricier sibling, the OPPO R17 Pro, which we thought was a pretty elegant phone. It even has the same tiny tear-drop notch.

And while the back may be plastic, it doesn't feel cheap. And it even comes in a rather unique shade of blue, complete with a pattern that dances in the sunlight.

Sure it looks nice, but is it a good phone?

Of course, looks are only screen deep. It's what's inside a phone that really counts, especially when it comes to handsets in the budget arena. And like most budget smartphones, the OPPO AX7 has clear strengths and weaknesses.

Battery life is easily the OPPO AX7's best feature. I found it easily lasted two days, two-and-a-half even. Lighter users could maybe even push this to three - for example, there was at least one day where I clocked off work with 80% charge left. Unfortunately, the AX7 is very slow to charge. This isn't really a phone you can plug in for a quick top-up, you'll need to leave it charging for at least an hour to get a decent amount of juice.

The OPPO AX7 has 64GB storage out of the box, which is commendable for a budget phone. While we've seen other affordable handsets do the same, this is still far from standard in the $300 - $400 ballpark.

For the most part, the OPPO AX7 is fine in terms of performance. It handles day-to-day tasks - even basic gaming (think Super Mario Run or Angry Birds) - well enough, even if it stutters every now and again. It's not silky smooth - the AX7 can demand a little bit of patience from time to time - but not to the extent where you'll want to break it in frustration. Hopefully.

I would like to have seen a slightly sharper display: the screen only runs at a resolution of 720p, which looks a little stretched out over 6.2-inches. This shouldn't be too noticeable unless you're scrutinising the display closely, however. On a more positive note, the OPPO AX7's display is real bright, so there are no visibility issues if you're using it outdoors on a sunny day.

Camera tends to be the major compromise you make when buying a cheaper smartphone, and the same holds true with the AX7. The camera is okay, but only with good lighting. As soon as the sun starts to go down (or when you step inside a dark location) results become quite inconsistent - you can still get a decent shot, but you might end up with three or four blurry images for every sharp one. The AX7 camera is also very prone to blowout. 

As you'd expect from any on-trend phone, the AX7 has facial recognition on board. The tech is pretty decent - it's quick enough and works in most lighting conditions. It is however 2D image-based recognition (as opposed to the more sophisticated 3D recognition found in the iPhone X family, the OPPO Find X, and Huawei Mate 20 Pro) which is technically less secure than a PIN or fingerprint. A picture shouldn't be enough to fool the AX7, but if you're concerned about security, you've also got a rear-facing fingerprint reader as an option.

The AX7 runs OPPO's heavily customised version of Android: ColorOS. In some ways, ColorOS has more in common with Apple's iOS than stock Android. There's no app drawer, for example, and there's no way to bring one back without a third party launcher.

While ColorOS has often been divisive, OPPO has managed to polish out a lot of the issues in recent releases. It might look different to what you'd expect from Android, but it works smoothly. At least for the most part - there are still a few quirks and oddities to get your head around.

The one thing that will affect most users is the AX7's aggressive battery management. If you're not using an app, the phone tends to automatically shut it down to conserve battery life. This can delay notifications, which isn't great when it comes to email and messaging apps. You can get around this by 'locking' an app (swipe down on the app in question in the multitasking menu) but this won't be immediately obvious to anyone who hasn't previously used an OPPO device. 

And as with most OPPO phones, it's worth noting the AX7 doesn't have NFC. This won't be a huge deal for everyone, but it does mean you can't use it for contactless payments with Google Pay.

Who's the OPPO AX7 for?

If you're after an affordable smartphone that looks good too, the OPPO AX7 should definitely be on your shortlist. At $399, it's a good value phone without major red flags - and it's even better value at $319 on Optus prepaid. The display could be sharper and the camera could be more consistent, but the OPPO AX7 is a good phone for its price.

OPPO AX7 camera samples

I don't want an OPPO AX7, what else can I buy?

Nokia 6.1

The Nokia 6.1 isn't quite as easy on the eyes as the OPPO AX7 - the aesthetic is bulky and brutalist - but it's a bit of a snappier phone thanks to a faster process under the hood. If looks don’t matter, the Nokia 6.1 is a pretty safe buy. It is however worth noting you only get 32GB storage out of the box. You'll pay $399 outright, but it regularly goes on sale.

Moto G6 Plus

If you can afford to spend a little more, the Moto G6 Plus is a great phone. It has a faster processor, but still has a reasonably modern design. Presently, the Moto G6 Plus will set you back around $449 outright.

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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