How much phone can you get for under $300? In Oppo’s latest two, you’ll find sizeable screens and batteries with a hint of water and shock resistance.
High-end phones may well be where most of the intriguing technology is, but over time, that technology trickles down to other price points.
It might take some time, but it’s one of the reasons the world of mid-range mobiles can be so compelling, as phone makers bring features once found in the high-end to more price points.
The same is true when it comes to budget phones, even though that can take a little longer, as well. And with “budget” mobiles these days meaning typically anything under $300 — as close to the $99 mark of “cheap” as manufacturers can get it, really — what we’re seeing appears to be the trickling down of technology from the mid-range to these lower price points.
Oppo has been making this happen for a while, and its arrival in Australia roughly a decade ago pretty much started with less expensive takes on the competition, so it should come as no surprise the company is keeping it going.
The latest two continue that, with a double phone attack of similar devices showing what’s possible for phones under $300 in Australia. Both sport a similar body and screen size, as well as a big battery for each, but a difference of $40 will determine what you end up getting.
At the $299 mark, there’s the Oppo A60 5G, a 6.67 inch phone sporting an HD+ only display with 120Hz refresh rate, accompanied by 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, Android 14, one useful 50 megapixel camera on the back, NFC for Google Pay, water resistance, and a 5100mAh battery.
Sitting in a 7.68mm thick body and featuring a design rated for drop resistance, it looks to offer budget mobile buyers value in their search for a new phone.
However, it’s not the only one.
For $40 less, Oppo will also have the A40, a model that keeps the 6.67 inch HD+ screen, but ditches the speedy refresh rate. That sort of switcheroo is consistent for the phone, which has slightly more memory at 6GB RAM, but the same 128GB storage.
The 50 megapixel camera on the back is the same, as is the 5100mAh battery, but you don’t get 5G. The durability stays as does the 7.68mm thickness, offering both water resistance and MIL-STD-810H certification for a shock test, also known as “surviving a drop test”.
“At Oppo, we’re always striving to deliver greater value to our customers by extending the longevity of our devices without increasing costs,” said Michael Tran, Managing Director of Oppo in Australia.
“The A60 and A40 take this commitment to the next level with military-grade durability and enhanced battery performance,” he said. “This means users get a device that’s not only built to withstand daily wear and tear, but also delivers exceptional value at an affordable price.”
You might not want to expect either to necessarily beat a flagship phone from 2024, but in terms of what a sub-$300 phone can offer, it appears Oppo is going for more than just the basics.
Both looks set to arrive this week from the likes of Big W, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, JB HiFi, Officeworks, and Oppo’s own online presence, with the A40 costing $259 in Australia, and the A60 5G for $299.
