Oppo Find N5: A Near-Perfect Foldable Sadly Out of Reach
I’ve consistently held Oppo’s foldable offerings in high regard, appreciating their innovative designs and user-friendly experiences. However, the new Oppo Find N5 transcends its predecessors, establishing itself as a truly exceptional device. In fact, without hesitation, I can declare it the best foldable I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. The tragedy, however, lies in its limited availability, restricting its reach to a select few. This is a phone that deserves widespread recognition and adoption, but sadly, its accessibility will remain frustratingly constrained.
The defining feature of the Oppo Find N5 is undoubtedly its remarkable thinness. Claiming the title of the world’s thinnest foldable, it measures a mere 8.93mm when closed. This is an astonishing achievement, resulting in a device that feels remarkably like a standard smartphone when utilizing the outer display. Gone are the bulky, brick-like dimensions that often plague foldables. Opening the device reveals an even more impressive feat of engineering – an insanely thin form factor that borders on the unbelievable. The internal components are packed so efficiently that it’s almost difficult to comprehend how Oppo managed to fit a USB-C port for charging.
Initially, I admit to having some reservations about the Find N5’s extreme thinness. I worried that it might feel fragile or uncomfortable to hold. However, after a period of daily use, those concerns largely dissipated. The device quickly felt natural in hand, its svelte profile becoming a welcome departure from the bulkier alternatives. Does this represent a significant upgrade over existing foldables in terms of usability? That’s a difficult question to answer definitively. My usual device, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, doesn’t feel overly cumbersome by comparison. Perhaps we’re reaching a point where further reductions in thickness yield diminishing returns in terms of perceived benefit.
Nevertheless, the Find N5 is much more than just an impressively thin device. Oppo has consistently demonstrated its commitment to delivering a comprehensive and refined user experience across all aspects of its foldables, and the Find N5 is no exception. The hinge mechanism is remarkably smooth and fluid, offering a satisfying opening and closing action. Despite the device’s slim design, the display crease is virtually non-existent. While it’s still visible under certain reflections, it represents the pinnacle of crease reduction technology in the current generation of foldables. I honestly struggle to imagine how it could be improved further.
Similar to the OnePlus Open that preceded it, the Find N5 incorporates an anti-reflective layer on the display, a feature I greatly appreciated for its ability to minimize glare and improve visibility in various lighting conditions. It also boasts "Boundless View," which is the ColorOS equivalent of OnePlus’s excellent Open Canvas multitasking feature. This allows for seamless switching between apps and enhanced productivity, taking full advantage of the expansive foldable display. ColorOS itself is a generally well-designed and intuitive operating system, although I do wish it incorporated the same regional customizations found in OxygenOS, OnePlus’s version of Android.
Beyond the core hardware, I’ve been particularly impressed with the battery life of the Oppo Find N5. The 5,600 mAh battery is remarkably large for a foldable, especially one as thin as this. It consistently delivers exceptional endurance, easily providing a full day of use with 30% or more remaining in the tank. This usage pattern typically involves using the outer display for around 65% of the time and the inner display for the remaining 35%. Wired charging is impressively fast, allowing for quick top-ups when needed. I did encounter some minor inconsistencies with wireless charging on certain chargers, likely due to variations in coil placement, but this was a minor inconvenience overall.
Turning to the camera system, it’s an area where the Oppo Find N5 falls slightly short compared to other flagship smartphones. Historically, foldables have often compromised on camera performance, and the Find N5 is no exception. The camera is not without its flaws, but it’s certainly not a poor performer. In optimal conditions, it captures images with pleasing contrast and vibrant colors. However, it’s also relatively easy to produce a subpar photo with this camera. The software processing plays a crucial role in salvaging many images, compensating for the physical limitations of the hardware. One of my recurring frustrations is Oppo’s continued refusal to implement the double-press gesture for launching the camera, a feature that I find incredibly convenient and intuitive. This omission ultimately leads me to use the camera less frequently.
While every foldable device typically has at least one significant drawback, I struggle to identify any major shortcomings with the Oppo Find N5. Apart from the camera being somewhat limited in its capabilities (although still perfectly adequate for most users), this is the foldable that all foldables aspire to be. That’s why it’s so disheartening that so few people will have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.
Oppo hinted at a "global" launch for the Find N5, but the reality is far from that. The device won’t even be released in Europe, severely restricting its availability. Coupled with the fact that the "OnePlus Open 2" isn’t expected this year, it feels like a wasted opportunity. The Oppo Find N5 is a near-perfect foldable that would be a compelling device for a vast audience if it were only released more widely. At least the Honor Magic V3 is more readily available, offering a somewhat similar experience.
In conclusion, the Oppo Find N5 is a remarkable achievement in foldable technology. Its incredibly thin design, smooth hinge, virtually invisible crease, excellent battery life, and refined software experience make it the best foldable I’ve ever used. The only real disappointment is its limited availability, preventing it from reaching its full potential and impacting the wider market. It’s a shame that such a groundbreaking device will remain out of reach for many potential users.
