This 12 months, I bought to make use of my first foldable cellphone, which occurred to be a flip cellphone. Now I am on my third flip cellphone evaluate with the brand new OPPO Discover N3 Flip, which is definitely OPPO’s second flip cellphone to hit world markets this 12 months.
OPPO did not reinvent the wheel with the Discover N3 Flip. The cellphone takes after its predecessor with an analogous design, the identical cowl display screen, and an equally giant battery. It might appear to be a boring, iterative improve, however the issues OPPO did change carry the Discover N3 Flip nearer to being the right flip cellphone. That is as a result of OPPO manages to deal with among the shortcomings of different flip telephones from firms like Samsung and Motorola whereas managing to maintain the cellphone modern and crowd pleasing.
That is to not say it’s the excellent flip cellphone, as there are nonetheless some shortcomings and attention-grabbing design decisions that maintain it again, however my expertise with the cellphone has been fairly refreshing.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Worth & availability
OPPO initially launched the Discover N3 Flip in August 2023, though the machine was solely out there in China. The corporate is launching the cellphone in India on October 12, adopted by a worldwide launch on October 19. Precise pricing and availability haven’t but been disclosed on the time of writing, however I’ll replace this part once I study extra from OPPO.
The cellphone is out there in two configurations with both 256GB or 512GB of storage. Each variants include 12GB of RAM.
The cellphone might be bought in three completely different colours, together with Cream Gold, Misty Pink, and Modern Black.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Design and show
Not a lot has modified from the OPPO Discover N2 Flip. The cellphone is sort of an identical to its predecessor, save for a couple of small-ish adjustments. The general design borrows closely from the Discover N2 Flip, though OPPO says the again glass on the Discover N3 Flip “has essentially the most curved glass again panel of any flip cellphone.” The shiny end is sweet, though it is a main fingerprint magnet, and the cellphone is out there in some fairly interesting colours. Even the Modern Black colour I’ve offers the cellphone a little bit of a chromatic look that I fairly like.
Then there’s essentially the most noticeable change, which is the brand new round digital camera housing, the place you may discover the brand new triple-camera system. OPPO calls this the Cosmos Ring with a Starlight Observe, meant to emulate the look of a typical digital camera aperture lens system. It is a good look, though I can not assist however want that it spun or one thing, only for enjoyable.
The left facet of the cellphone now has a mute swap, a preferred characteristic borrowed from OnePlus telephones that permits you to swap from Ring to Silent and Vibrate with only a flip. It is not an enormous characteristic, nevertheless it’s fairly useful in a pinch, and I want extra telephones had this characteristic.
Apart from these adjustments, the cellphone has related dimensions to the Discover N2 Flip, which is wider than different flip telephones I’ve used, and ideally so. You may additionally discover the vertical cowl exterior display screen on the quilt panel, however extra on that later.
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One factor that actually stunned me in regards to the Discover N3 Flip is the inner show. Foldable telephones all should cope with the dreaded crease simply due to the character of the panels. The depth of those creases varies, however in some way, OPPO managed to provide a folding show with virtually no crease. I really feel like firms usually make that declare, however on this case, it is true. You’ll be able to see the crease at sure angles, however solely simply. Even when dragging my finger throughout the show, I can barely inform it is there.
OPPO says that is the product of its new Flexion Hinge, which is a flowery advertising time period for a waterdrop hinge that many foldable telephones have adopted. Nonetheless, it is fairly spectacular, and the hinge additional permits the cellphone to carry numerous angles, which can be utilized for video calls, viewing content material, or taking selfies.
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The show is a 6.8-inch OLED panel with a Full HD+ decision, 120Hz refresh fee, and 1440Hz PWM dimming (so it ought to be nice for people with PWM sensitivity). I discover the show is sort of vibrant, and OPPO offers you many completely different display screen colour modes to select from, certainly one of which is a “Cinematic” mode that guarantees to offer a extra devoted colour replica. This additionally lends itself to the digital camera system, however I am going to contact on that later.
It is also decently brilliant with 1600 nits of beak brightness, though I discover that the built-in display screen protector can usually obscure the show a bit on foldables, particularly open air. Nonetheless, it is also a polarizer-free show, so OPPO says it ought to be simpler to view with sun shades, and it reduces energy consumption by 20%.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Cowl display screen
The primary show is nice, however what in regards to the cowl display screen? It is the identical 3.26-inch because the one discovered on the Discover N2 Flip, and its specs are largely unchanged except for the Gorilla Glass Victus defending it. It is an attention-grabbing tackle the quilt display screen since others favor a extra sq. or horizontal strategy. The logic is that it ought to higher emulate the principle show, which is sound, in idea. Nonetheless, whereas utilizing it, I can see why this type is not extra broadly adopted, and I am going to clarify that in a second.
I really fairly like the quilt show, although it is not essentially the most useful. OPPO has a “dwelling web page” that may be edited with numerous wallpapers like cute interactive pets and three shortcuts. Swiping from the underside opens notifications, and a swipe from the highest opens Fast Settings. However in contrast to different foldables, you will not discover the quilt display screen full of a sequence of panels for glanceable data; as an alternative, OPPO opted for an app drawer that sits subsequent to the house display screen. With a swipe, you may entry choose “mini apps” to open on the quilt display screen.
Like with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the OPPO Discover N3 Flip has a number of apps out there by way of “Labs” which you can entry on the quilt display screen. Not each app is out there this fashion, however there have been instances once I would obtain an app like MyFitnessPal to search out that it is supported on the quilt display screen via Labs, in order that’s good. When you select which apps you need on the quilt display screen, you may prepare them the way you need.
Utilizing apps on the quilt display screen is fairly simple, which is sensible since it is a vertical show. That is each an ideal factor and a not-so-great factor. The reason being that the slender, vertical display screen shows the total app how it could usually present up on the common display screen, however it’s a lot smaller. Subsequently, pictures, textual content, and UI parts are shrunken down and may usually be onerous to see or work together with, particularly when there’s a number of textual content. That is noticeable with apps like X (previously Twitter), MyFitnessPal, and Gmail, and the display screen’s relatively low decision would not make it any higher.
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That is in distinction to different flip telephones just like the Motorola Razr Plus and Z Flip 5, which have extra sq. shows. Positive, the apps are squished down, however they’re additionally displayed in a wider view, that means textual content is extra legible. And whereas I want OPPO would enable any app from the quilt display screen (it says it is working so as to add extra), I can perceive why this is not precisely a precedence.
Nonetheless, the quilt display screen expertise is nice sufficient, making it simple to reply to messages, navigate with Google Maps, and play music via the YouTube Music app.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Efficiency and specs
The OPPO Discover N3 Flip is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9200, a really succesful flagship chipset that is ready to deal with nearly all the pieces you may throw at it. Coupled with 12GB of RAM, my unit gave me zero issues in day-to-day use. It additionally handles gaming fairly properly, managing the best settings at 60fps when enjoying Honkai Star Rail, though it’s going to get a bit heat, which is to be anticipated.
If you’d like, OPPO offers you the choice so as to add as much as 12GB of further digital RAM, however I by no means appeared to wish this.
| Class | OPPO Discover N3 Flip |
|---|---|
| OS | ColorOS 13.2 (Android 13) |
| Outer Show | 3.26-inch 60Hz AMOLED, 720 x 382, 900 nits (peak), Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Internal Show | 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED, 2520 x 1080, 1600 nits (peak), HDR10+ |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9200 |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB, UFS 4.0 |
| Rear digital camera 1 | 50MP broad, f/1.8, PDAF, 4K30fps |
| Rear digital camera 2 | 48MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 112-degree FoV |
| Rear digital camera 3 | 32MP telephoto, f/2.0, 2x zoom |
| Entrance digital camera | 32MP f/2.4, autofocus |
| Water resistance | None |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Sub-6 5G |
| Safety | Facet-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock |
| Audio | Stereo sound, Dolby Atmos |
| Battery | 4300mAh, 44W quick charging |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 166.2mm × 75.78mm × 7.79mm |
| Dimensions (folded) | 85.54mm x 75.78mm × 16.45mm |
| Weight | 198g |
| Colours | Cream Gold, Misty Pink, Modern Black |
There are solely two storage choices and no 1TB variant, however USF 4.0 means you may anticipate quicker speeds if that is one thing you care about. The cellphone additionally helps Wi-Fi 7, which is nice for future-proofing as the usual ramps up adoption.
Haptics on the cellphone are fairly spectacular. Even when typing, the out-of-the-box expertise is delicate but efficient, in contrast to the relatively aggressive haptics I’ve skilled on another gadgets like Pixels. OPPO even has a neat little demo of its haptics system, which just about makes me consider the PS5’s DualSense controller. I am additionally fairly impressed with the audio on the cellphone, significantly the stereo audio system, which assist Dolby Atmos.
Sadly, regardless of extra foldable telephones launching with added safety, the OPPO Discover N3 Flip would not have an IP ranking for water and dirt resistance.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Battery life
Battery life is likely one of the main shortcomings of flip telephones as a consequence of their restricted house. However that is not the case right here.
The Discover N2 Flip had a relatively giant 4300mAh battery, and OPPO noticed no want to extend that, which I wholeheartedly agree with. With a battery this massive (and presumably due to the extra environment friendly show), the Discover N3 Flip will get me via a complete day with no downside. You in all probability will not get rather more past that, relying on how you employ it, however I have been fairly relieved not having to cope with battery nervousness once I exit.
The cellphone additionally helps 44W charging, which isn’t blazing quick however undoubtedly quick sufficient. Thankfully, charging would not take too lengthy once you use the included charging adapter, with the cellphone juicing as much as 50% in lower than half an hour.
What you will not discover is wi-fi charging, which is sort of unlucky since I’ve wi-fi chargers in all places in my dwelling.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Cameras
The OPPO Discover N3 Flip is likely one of the first flip telephones to sport a triple digital camera setup and the one one with a telephoto lens. However that is not what makes the digital camera system on this cellphone so spectacular. One thing about OPPO’s computational pictures simply actually makes pictures pop, particularly coupled with the cellphone’s ProXDR show that’s able to correctly displaying pictures how they’re meant to be considered.
The 50MP main digital camera takes superb pictures with loads of distinction, particularly in well-lit circumstances. That stated, I am a bit torn in regards to the output. I discover pictures can seem a bit softer than I would love, as if the small print and sharpness are being dialed down. Nonetheless, one thing about it makes the photographs seem fairly engaging in a means that I can not fairly put my finger on. Most of the time, I am fairly happy with the photographs I seize from the cellphone.
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There’s additionally a singular XPan mode that emulates the normal means pictures had been developed by turning it right into a adverse first earlier than it is absolutely rendered. This produces pictures in a really broad 65:24 facet ratio, and to date, I actually love the photographs that it reproduces. I can see this being an ideal mode for cell or novice photographers.
That extends to low-light pictures, though they could be a little noisy relying on the lighting circumstances. Zooming additionally produces nice outcomes, due to the 32MP 2x telephoto digital camera, which supplies sufficient decision to output spectacular pictures at even 5x zoom. Portrait photographs are additionally spectacular, including loads of natural-looking background blur to essentially spotlight the topic.
One profit of getting a canopy display screen is that you should use it as a preview window so your topics can place themselves, or you should use it to take selfies with the first digital camera when the cellphone is closed. There are some limitations when utilizing solely the quilt display screen with the digital camera: you may’t use flash, and movies are restricted to 1080p. Contemplating that 4K recording is an possibility on different flip telephones when utilizing the quilt display screen, this can be a bizarre omission. However then once more, 4K video recording when the cellphone is open is restricted to only 30fps, which can also be unlucky.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Software program
The OPPO Discover N3 Flip runs ColorOS 13.2 out of the field, and it ought to be pretty acquainted in case you’ve used a OnePlus machine. Nonetheless, if you have not used ColorOS or OxygenOS earlier than, then chances are you’ll discover it to be a bit overwhelming, and it is undoubtedly not everybody’s cup of tea.
There are a number of choices right here, providing you with greater than sufficient methods to customise your expertise right down to the icons you need within the standing bar or the form of the icons within the Fast Settings panel. Let’s simply say it took a minute to get absolutely arrange on the cellphone, and even then, I really feel like I have never explored sufficient.
There are some odd apps I’ve by no means heard of and a reasonably redundant “app market” that’s much less of an app retailer and extra of a brief record of apps you may wanna obtain. I principally ignore these. Then again, there are different further software program options and gestures that I acknowledge from different telephones, which helps make the expertise a bit extra acquainted.
It is a bit annoying how the cellphone all the time needs to default to Spotify when utilizing the music participant within the Fast Settings menu or cowl display screen, particularly since I do not use Spotify. This can happen even once I’m already listening to music on one other app, which makes the expertise a bit complicated once I faucet the tile that is at present displaying the track I am enjoying on YouTube Music, just for it to attempt to open Spotify.
Nonetheless, the general expertise, whereas overwhelming, is definitely fairly good when you get used to OPPO’s distinctive type. Animations are fluid, haptics are nice, there are devoted music and gallery apps, and I actually just like the Current Apps view.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Competitors
The Discover N3 Flip is not the one flip cellphone to launch this 12 months, and OPPO has some stiff competitors if it expects to deal with the worldwide market. Maybe its greatest competitor is the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which is Samsung’s newest clamshell foldable. That is little doubt Samsung’s greatest flip cellphone, due to the spectacular flagship chipset, the big cowl display screen spanning the entrance, and Samsung’s aggressive advertising technique on the subject of foldable telephones. It is a robust cellphone to beat, however the Discover N3 Flip has it outmatched with higher battery life, a 3rd digital camera lens, and a extra ergonomically snug design.
The Motorola Razr Plus can also be a serious contender and my private favourite flip cellphone this 12 months. The quilt display screen is the most important we have seen on a flip cellphone, and it helps you to open almost any app with out opening the cellphone, which is one thing we have but to essentially see on different clamshell foldables. That stated, battery life leaves quite a bit to be desired, and it, too, solely has two rear digital camera lenses.
In China, the Discover N3 Flip has to cope with the Vivo X Flip, which takes a extra horizontal strategy to the core display screen. Design-wise, it is one thing of a mixture of the Discover N3 Flip and the Razr Plus however with a Zeiss digital camera. Nonetheless, regardless of some spectacular specs, it is solely out there in China, limiting its attain.
OPPO Discover N3 Flip: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You desire a trendy flip cellphone with a big cowl display screen.
- You desire a battery that may final you all day.
- You endure from PWM sensitivity.
You should not purchase this if…
- You reside in america, as assist could also be a bit shoddy.
- You need wi-fi charging.
- You are not a fan of OnePlus software program.
- You are aren’t a fan of the concept of foldable telephones.
I can say unquestionably that the OPPO Discover N3 Flip is certainly one of my favourite telephones this 12 months. I am a fan of flip telephones, although they have a tendency to compromise on specs as a consequence of their restricted house. The Discover N3 Flip makes an attempt to flip that script by shoving in a big battery, quicker charging, a 3rd zoom lens, and probably the most spectacular foldable shows I’ve seen.
OPPO’s software program is not precisely my favourite, and whereas the quilt display screen is sweet, the character of its vertical orientation makes it a bit counterintuitive because it shrinks textual content and different UI parts, making it onerous to navigate typically. Nonetheless, it could be good to have extra choices for apps on the quilt display screen for many who would need it, however firms except for Motorola appear to have hassle making this occur for no matter motive.
That stated, OPPO has a very good factor going with the Discover N3 Flip, and whereas I do not anticipate it to be out there stateside, I hope OnePlus can comply with in its footsteps with a flip cellphone of its personal.
The brand new OPPO Discover N3 Flip is likely one of the greatest examples of a contemporary flip cellphone, due to its triple digital camera system and huge cowl display screen the place you may open apps, reply to messages, take selfies, and extra. To not point out, it has all-day battery life, which is a large deal.