I am fairly active in the Android Community and have heard A LOT about +OPPO over the past few months, it seems to be a favorite amongst Android Enthusiasts and Developers who need a High End Device. Several well known XDA Members speak highly about +OPPO as they seem to listen to their users rather than carriers.
So, while attending XDA DevCon 2013, I had the opportunity to pick one up for myself. The phone was never intended to be my primary daily driver as I am a Sprint customer and they do not support GSM phones. I currently use an HTC ONE with Sprint. I purchased the phone to play around with and use it for emergencies but it seems that my intentions will soon change.
Within a few hours of me purchasing the phone, I purchased a pre-paid SIM card and Service with T-Mobile. I was immediately blown away with the super-premium build quality of the phone. This was something I honestly did not expect as it meets and almost exceeds the quality of the reigning champion, the HTC One. The build quality simply surpasses that of Samsung, LG and even Sony. My only issue with the hardware is the odd placement of the power button, which I would have loved to see above the volume buttons. An IR Blaster would have also made a nice touch.
Next is the features, many of which make so much sense that they really need to be built into the main AOSP code branch. Some of these include the ability to revoke application permissions, data useage in the notification tray, and a few other subtle changes. The only issue I had with the phone is the launcher, in which I am not the biggest fan of it so I installed Nova Launcher. The skin is not horrible but definitely not AOSP. I am also stunned that Oppo releases updates OTA updates every ~2 weeks!
Finally there is the developer support. It is almost unheard of to see a manufacturer actually link to a few alternate ROMs such as AOSP, Cyanogenmod, PA, etc. directly on their product page. In contrast, HTC and Samsung would want you to believe that using CyanogenMod or AOSP will somehow cause damage to your phone. It is also remarkable to browse this forum and see how Oppo is actually taking feature requests from their customers and even publishing BETA versions of their software for people to test, NO OTHER COMPANY DOES THIS!.
24 hours later and I am actually re-thinking my initial strategy of using this phone as a spare and turning it into my primary driver. I have been using it all day today and kept reaching for it rather then my HTC one, it was that good. I may be canceling my Sprint plan soon and moving my entire family plan onto Oppo phones in the next few months.Shared with: Public, OPPO, Keith I Myers, Rob M., Samantha Myers, Maarten Edgar+1’d by: W. Alejandro Polanco, Saul Dolgin, Kristoffer Rath Hansen, Jay Harper, Michael Smith, Corey Miecielica, Dave, Jeremy Meiss, Wilfredo Lassalle, Maarten Edgar, Samantha Myers, Rob M., Jason KrugerRob M. – 2013-08-12 19:39:25-0400Pretty mind blowing support from an OEM.Keith I Myers – 2013-08-12 19:42:02-0400+Rob Maynard – Its completely unheard ofSamantha Myers – 2013-08-12 19:44:00-0400I want the device in Australia, think I may have to import one after this.Rob M. – 2013-08-12 19:44:34-0400They’re definitely on my very short list of prospective replacements when my N4 is a little longer in the tooth. Keith I Myers – 2013-08-12 19:45:34-0400+Nathan Myers – Definitely worth itKeith I Myers – 2013-08-12 19:46:27-0400Also +OPPO – I hope you are happy, you are making a 10+ year Sprint customer actually switch providers to use your phoneSamantha Myers – 2013-08-12 19:47:39-0400+Keith I Myers definitely, I have an Xperia Z at the moment and even Sony has some good developer AOSP support now, I just haven’t had the time to put the ROM on.Maarten Edgar – 2013-08-12 19:50:11-0400The hardware is great, the COLOR Rom has some great widgets (if they keep developing the record player music one it’ll be great!), the settings panel is extensive; I definitely agree with you, Keith; there is a new contender in town.Keith I Myers – 2013-08-12 19:53:42-0400(Speaking of someone who seriously needs a phone upgrade) +Maarten Edgar – I could not agree more. The record player widget is nicely designed. I am not liking the clock widget but that is simple enough to change.Maarten Edgar – 2013-08-12 19:55:20-0400Hehe… typing this on my Oppo 🙂Keith I Myers – 2013-08-12 19:56:32-0400+Maarten Edgar then you sir just earned my respectCorey Miecielica – 2013-08-12 20:27:38-0400Great review +Keith I Myers ! Chris Ravenscroft – 2013-08-12 20:49:02-0400I found myself carrying around both my GNex and my new Oppo as only one of them would let me take awesome pictures but I didn’t have a SIM yet (I do now; default radio seems on par with that of the GNex)Michael Smith – 2013-08-12 21:13:18-0400I have been dreaming of just holding one for so long I almost bought via +Corey M at xdadevcon13…. Until it was cash only. But I will wait until the LTE models start rolling out. You did a great review and analysis of this awesome device! +oppo “will be the next big thing” in next several years, if not, months to come.