Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Two-minute assessment
Oppo had one mission when making the Oppo Discover N5: make the world’s thinnest book-style foldable. It is a testomony to the corporate’s cellphone making ability that it not solely succeeded, however produced such a robust, pleasing, and handsome system alongside the way in which. For my cash, that is the route folding telephones needs to be heading in, and utilizing the Discover N5 feels simpler and extra seamless than the folding gadgets I’ve used up to now. It is a robust contender for the best Oppo phone I’ve ever used.
The standout function of the Discover N5 is its design. The cellphone unfolded measures simply 4.21mm thick, which is thinner than an iPad Professional and solely overwhelmed within the foldable area by the tri-fold Huawei Mate XT. It truly is wonderful to carry the Discover N5 for the primary time, and this slimness by no means stops being genuinely handy. I am right here to inform you that this is not a gimmick: the Discover N5’s profile is an enormous a part of the rationale the cellphone feels so useable. Even at a folded thickness of 8.93mm, it is barely bulkier than an iPhone 16 Pro Max. The shows are each nice, and each the biggest you may discover on a book-style cellphone, at 6.62-inches for the duvet display and eight.12-inches for the internal show.
The Discover N5 has obtained the {hardware} energy to problem the premium slab flagships too. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage make the only real configuration a robust one, and Oppo has made each effort to enhance the traditionally middling battery lifetime of the common folding cellphone with an enormous 5,600mAh silicon-carbon cell. Within the case of the Discover N5, slim doesn’t imply gradual. Wanting on the competitors, the thicker and heavier Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, with its smaller battery and fewer highly effective internals, appears a bit archaic by comparability.
It isn’t with out compromise, although. With the intention to attain such a slim profile, the digital camera system has been scaled again in comparison with the earlier era Discover N3 (nonetheless bought worldwide because the OnePlus Open) and outcomes can fluctuate from nice to fairly undesirable. There are additionally a number of software program bugs, however I am conscious a few of this will likely be on account of builders not optimizing for the foldable type issue.
General, I am very impressed with the Oppo Discover N5. It is an enormous step in the direction of foldable gadgets that do not really feel in any respect constrained by their type issue, with a barely-visible crease, two nice shows, and a really cheap battery life. Any imperfections aren’t impactful sufficient to cease this sense just like the folding cellphone of the long run. If it wasn’t for its restricted availability, the Discover N5 could be a shoe-in for our listing of the best folding phones.
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Worth and availability
- Pricing within the UK and Australia TBC
- Availability TBC
- Prices round £1500 in Singapore
Oppo hasn’t revealed pricing for the Discover N5 but, so we haven’t but obtained a tackle the worth for cash the cellphone affords. The cellphone has been confirmed to value the equal of round £1500 in Singapore, however we’re nonetheless ready for additional particulars.
As for availability, Oppo has no distribution within the US so it’s overwhelmingly probably the Discover N5 received’t launch there. We aren’t fairly positive of the complete extent of the Discover N5’s availability elsewhere, however we all know it’s coming to the UK not less than.
We’ll replace this part as soon as the cellphone’s pricing is formally out there, however till then maintain studying for an in depth assessment of the Oppo Discover N5.
Remember the fact that as soon as we hear of the Oppo Discover N5’s official UK launch value, our total verdict and rating might change.
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Specs
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Dimensions: |
160.87 x 145.58 x 4.21mm (unfolded) / 160.87 x 74.42 x 8.93mm (folded) |
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Weight: |
229g |
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Show: |
6.62-inch OLED (cowl) / 8.12-inch OLED (internal) |
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Decision: |
1140 x 2616 (cowl) / 2248 x 2480 (internal) |
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Refresh fee: |
1-120Hz (each screens) |
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Chipset: |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
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Rear cameras: |
50MP most important, 8MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom |
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Entrance digital camera: |
8MP, 8MP |
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Storage: |
512GB |
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RAM: |
16GB |
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OS (at launch): |
Android 15 with ColorOS 15 |
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Battery: |
5600mAh |
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Charging: |
90W wired charging 50W wi-fi charging |
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Design
- 4.21mm unfolded thickness, 8.93mm folded
- Is available in two colours, black and white
- Crease is barely noticeable
The Oppo Discover N5 is among the most impressively designed telephones I’ve ever used – truly, rewind that – the Oppo Discover N5 is among the most impressively designed issues I’ve ever used. Unboxing the cellphone for the primary time was a type of uncommon “wow” moments: the Discover N5 is actually extremely skinny. At a folded thickness of 8.93mm it’s about half a millimeter thicker than an iPhone 16 Professional Max, and at an unfolded thickness of 4.21mm it’s even slimmer than a 2024 iPad Pro. Holding it side-by-side with the 5.8mm-thick OnePlus Open (the earlier era Discover N3 in all however title) actually highlights the progress Oppo has made up to now two years.
The Oppo Discover N5 additionally nails the ever-crucial hinge: Oppo is looking its hinge the Titanium Flexion Hinge, and what this implies is that Oppo has used 3D-printed titanium alloy to create a hinge that’s extra resilient and inflexible whereas being 26% smaller than the earlier era. I observed that the hinge has actual resistance to it, feeling stable when open between round 20 and 120 levels, and snapping open or shut on both facet of this vary. Oppo says the hinge ought to final for 10 years of regular use, although it will naturally fluctuate between customers.
The Discover N5 opens practically fully flat, and that smaller hinge makes much less of an impression on the internal show, too – the crease is actually solely seen when the display catches the sunshine in a sure method, and it’s successfully invisible while you’re truly utilizing the cellphone. Oppo says the crease on the Discover N5’s internal show is 10% narrower and 50% shallower than the already impressively unobtrusive crease on the OnePlus Open. The crevice working down the center of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 seems completely comical by comparability.
The remainder of the chassis is manufactured from aluminum, with a glass cowl display and fiber rear panel. The bezel across the internal show is manufactured from a thick plastic that conceals robust magnets to carry the cellphone shut, and the internal show itself is roofed in a plastic coating. I had no sturdiness considerations with the sturdy outer body of the cellphone the internal show may be dented by something laborious, even a fingernail, so be cautious. Buttons are normal fare, with a quantity rocker, ringer change, and energy button doubling as a quick fingerprint scanner.
The Discover N5 pushes the boat out by way of water resistance, and so far as I’m conscious is the primary folding cellphone to hold each an IPX8 and IPX9 ranking for cover in opposition to water ingress. There’s no licensed mud resistance although.
Oppo has an excellent monitor report on the subject of aesthetics, and the Discover N5 isn’t any completely different. In international markets the cellphone is offered in both Misty White or Cosmic Black, and the white unit I examined featured a cool marble impact much like the pearlescent materials used for the Oppo Find X8 Pro. It’s a refined contact that provides a touch of luxurious, and contrasts properly with the slimmed-down black digital camera island. Ergonomically, the cellphone’s rounded edges make it moderately snug to carry when unfolded and decently usable one-handed, not less than for right-handed customers.
If I had one notice concerning the design of the Oppo Discover N5, it’s that the perimeters are so slim that it may well truly be somewhat difficult to get sufficient buy to open the cellphone. Then once more, there’s not a lot Oppo can do about that whereas persevering with to make these telephones thinner, which in case you ask me is a way more necessary aim. General, the Discover N5 is a marvel of engineering that feels good to make use of – you’ll be able to’t ask for significantly better than that.
Design rating: 5 / 5
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Show
Picture 1 of 2
- 6.62-inch cowl display
- 8.1-inch internal show
- Each screens are shiny and sharp with 120Hz refresh fee
Although Oppo has leaned on the Discover N5 being the “world’s thinnest book-style folding cellphone” in advertising, the shows listed below are class-leading otherwise. The Oppo Discover N5 sports activities the biggest shows on any cellphone of its sort, with a 6.62-inch cowl display and big 8.12-inch internal show, and each are sharp, shiny, responsive panels that make absolutely anything look wonderful.
The Oppo Discover N5 options an 8.12-inch folding internal show, with a decision of 2248 x 2480 pixels, peak brightness of 2100 nits, and variable refresh fee of 1-120Hz. At an almost-square facet ratio of 9.9:9, the Discover N5 is a good alternative for watching movies, taking pictures, and studying articles. This display is a contact dimmer than the internal show on the OnePlus Open, which is noticeable however not a difficulty: I discovered the Discover N5 to be greater than serviceable in a wide range of indoor and outside lighting situations.
By floor space, the Discover N5’ internal show is bigger than an iPad mini’s, which makes it an excellent alternative for multitasking. As for the duvet display, the Discover N5 goes properly past the concept of a backup panel, with a pointy and contrasty 6.62-inch panel that makes one-handed use not solely viable, however genuinely pleasing. Each shows assist the Oppo Pen stylus, bought individually, which opens much more productiveness potentialities.
The quilt show boasts a decision of 1140 x 2616 pixels, peak brightness of 2450 nits, and that very same variable 1-120Hz refresh fee. At a side ratio of 20.7:9 it’s a contact slimmer than the standard 19.5:9 employed by the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25, however wider than the 22.1:9 cowl display on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Switching between the 2 shows stays as straightforward as opening and shutting the cellphone. Opening the cellphone will immediately proceed your exercise on the internal display, whereas leaping from the internal to outer display requires a swipe as much as maintain issues going. These are two nice panels that actually really feel like they work collectively as a part of one cohesive system.
Show rating: 4.5 / 5
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Software program
- Android 15 with ColorOS 15
- Nice multitasking options
- Bloatware on a cellphone of this caliber is ridiculous
I’ve been a fan of the software program expertise on Oppo telephones for fairly a while now – ColorOS 15 (based mostly on Android 15) is among the cleanest, quickest, and most customizable implementations of Android available on the market, and Oppo has gone out of its method to make sure the expertise interprets properly to the folding type issue; the UI as an entire stays blisteringly quick. Default apps and AI are all advantageous, however I think about most customers will head for the pre-installed Google suite and Gemini for his or her normal software and AI wants.
In some ways, ColorOS nonetheless appears like an imitation of iOS, and the projection of the OS onto the folding type issue can really feel like a bizarro mashup of iPhone and iPad options. The three dot multitasking menu is right here, instantly lifted from iPadOS, and permits you to activate cut up display or floating home windows with as many as 4 apps without delay (three in cut up view and one floating). Originality apart, this works very properly, and I used to be shocked by simply how a lot the Discover N5 might deal with. I additionally just like the pop-up that seems while you change between two apps regularly, which suggests placing the 2 in cut up display.
There’s one other distinctive productiveness function that Oppo has added to the Discover N5, nevertheless it isn’t put in by default. The brand new O+ Join app for Mac permits the Oppo Discover N5 to manage Apple computer systems remotely, with real-time display mirroring and a digital keyboard showing on the cellphone display. This, constructing on earlier file sharing performance between Oppo telephones and iPhones and iPads through the identical app. O+ Join works wirelessly over LAN, although Oppo wouldn’t inform me the precise latency. I’m undecided how helpful that is in observe, however the thought of seeing Adobe Premiere Professional or Ableton Dwell on such a small display is genuinely novel.
As is normal with Oppo telephones, the customization on provide is world-class, with attractive reside wallpapers and numerous methods to alter fonts and colours throughout the UI. Regrettably, although, the cellphone comes preloaded with a handful of bloatware apps that most individuals received’t use – frankly, it’s irritating {that a} cellphone of this value and calibre comes with any bloatware in any respect. This can be a luxurious cellphone: it’s extra about respect for the client than any kind of precise inconvenience. That mentioned, when you get the app drawer trying the way you need it, ColorOS sails clean.
Software program rating: 3.5 / 5
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Cameras
- 50MP most important digital camera
- 8MP ultra-wide digital camera
- 50MP telephoto digital camera with 3x zoom
The OnePlus Open – a.ok.a the worldwide model of the Oppo Discover N3 – made waves by being the primary folding cellphone to sport a correctly flagship-grade digital camera system – it additionally had one of many largest digital camera bumps we’ve ever seen. With the Discover N5, Oppo has prioritized a slim construct to the purpose that the digital camera system has needed to be scaled again. The cameras listed below are nonetheless usable, good even, however positively the place the compromises wanted to provide the world’s thinnest book-style foldable are most acutely felt.
The Discover N5 comes outfitted with a 50MP most important digital camera, 8MP ultra-wide digital camera, and 50MP telephoto digital camera with 3x optical zoom. Throughout the board, we see a discount in decision in comparison with the earlier era, although the principle and telephoto cameras have bigger sensors (Oppo hasn’t shared the sensor measurement for the ultra-wide). This interprets to brighter photos at the price of a little bit of granular element. The primary digital camera is first rate and dependable, producing expressive pictures in daylight and holding its personal in darker environments too. The attain and depth of discipline provided by the 3x telephoto digital camera is very spectacular, whereas the 8MP ultra-wide is a mystifyingly low-spec alternative that’s laborious to get good photos from.
The Discover N5 additionally sports activities two an identical selfie cameras – one punch-holed into every show – they usually’re merely beneath par. Each are caught at a measly 8MP and produce low-detail, low-contrast photos. Because the Discover N5 is a folding cellphone, you’ll be able to in fact take selfies with the principle digital camera, utilizing the duvet display as a viewfinder, however that’s probably not a alternative for a good selfie digital camera – particularly in case you’re attempting to be refined.
As for the precise pictures expertise, the folding type issue permits for lots of freedom with how you’re taking your pics and movies. The internal display works extremely properly as an enormous viewfinder, and you should utilize the decrease half of the display as a gallery whereas taking pictures. Equally, the cellphone is slim sufficient that taking pictures with the display folded is simply as nice. As for video, the cellphone maxes out at 4K 60fps.
The high-end cameras frequent to at the moment’s flagship telephones require a certain quantity of bodily area, which Oppo might have been unable to accommodate in such a slim body. Alternatively, designing such a slim cellphone may need simply been too costly a course of to make a greater digital camera system value efficient. Both method, I respect that making the world’s thinnest folding cellphone comes with some compromises, and the Discover N5 can nonetheless take nice pictures – however this digital camera system is a noticeable backwards step.
Digicam rating: 3 / 5
Oppo Discover N5 Digicam Samples
Picture 1 of 5
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Efficiency
- Snapdragon 8 Elite (7-core variant)
- 16GB of RAM
- 512GB of storage
Oppo wasn’t messing round when it selected the interior specs of the Discover N5. This can be a severely highly effective cellphone outfitted with the newest cellular {hardware} and an enormous quantity of reminiscence. There’s just one configuration to select from, however with specs like these, you’re most unlikely to be upset.
Outfitted with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, the Discover N5 has greater than sufficient {hardware} energy to deal with just about something you’ll be able to throw at it. The cellphone flew by day-to-day duties and periods of Call of Duty Cell with no fuss, solely warming barely throughout probably the most intense multitasking.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset discovered inside the Discover N5 is the lower-powered 7-core variant, however you wouldn’t discover it in regular use. The massive display, responsive UI, and highly effective internals come collectively to supply a persistently wonderful expertise.
Nonetheless, I did encounter some glitchy conduct throughout my testing interval. On one event, the cellphone totally locked up when switching between the duvet and internal display, which required a restart. Different occasions, apps would develop into unresponsive on account of a change in facet ratio or switching screens. A few of this will likely be for app builders to kind out, and Android 16 ought to carry options that drive builders to make apps that deal higher with altering facet ratios, nevertheless it’s nonetheless one thing to concentrate on.
General, regardless of a number of hiccups, it’s best to discover that the Discover N5 flies by no matter you throw at it, with sufficient storage to final years of regular use and sufficient reminiscence to maintain up as purposes and AI get extra advanced. It is the primary folding cellphone I’ve seen that I might think about a real productiveness device.
Efficiency rating: 4 / 5
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Battery
- 5,600mAh silicon-carbon battery
- 90W wired charging
- 50W wi-fi charging
It’s usually accepted that folding telephones could have a shorter battery life than their candy-bar counterparts, on account of the usage of inefficient cut up battery cells, and the elevated energy draw of a big internal display. With the Discover N5, Oppo has made each effort to counteract this pattern, however there’s solely a lot that may be achieved inside the bounds of folding cellphone design.
With a – say it with me – class-leading battery capability of 5,600mAh, the Discover N5 could make it by a day of combined use with out having to assume an excessive amount of about charging. That battery is bigger than the cells present in both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and I discovered myself probably not worrying about charging in a single day or to 100% earlier than leaving the home. That’s partly due to the adoption of silicon-carbon battery expertise, which permits for a a lot larger energy density. For those who do get right down to 1%, the cellphone enters an ultra-low energy mode that retains important features lively till you’ll be able to high up.
Charging is actually no chore, because the Discover N5 helps some really speedy charging speeds. The cellphone helps as much as 90W wired charging and 50W wi-fi charging over Oppo’s proprietary AirVOOC normal. That’s wonderful, not only for a folding cellphone however for a sensible system typically – there are laptops that don’t assist charging this quick. Oppo quotes a 50-minute cost time from 0-100%, however I discovered this took round 45 minutes with an Oppo 80W charger.
I did discover the battery draining a contact quicker than on fashionable slab flagships, however then once more I additionally observed an enchancment versus the OnePlus Open. Relative to different folding telephones, it is a winner, however in comparison with slab telephones there’s nonetheless somewhat catching as much as do.
Battery rating: 4 / 5
Must you purchase the Oppo Discover N5
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Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
We do not have pricing for the Oppo Discover N5 but, so we will not choose it is worth. |
N/A |
|
Design |
Business-leading thinness and Oppo’s aptitude for aesthetics are an ideal marriage. This can be a cellphone that appears pretty much as good because it feels to make use of. |
5 / 5 |
|
Show |
The Discover N5 sports activities two improbable screens, each of that are the biggest you may discover on a cellphone of this sort. |
4 / 5 |
|
Software program |
ColorOS is as nice as ever, however the odd bug and bloatware bathroom issues down. |
3 / 5 |
|
Digicam |
The cameras on the Discover N5 are advantageous, and may take nice pictures, however that is clearly the place Oppo has compromised to attain its design targets. |
3 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
Highly effective {hardware} and stable first-party optimization make the Discover N5 a powerhouse, however there are a number of bugs to iron out. |
4 / 5 |
|
Battery |
Oppo has made each effort to buck the pattern of poor battery life in folding telephones: a big cell and speedy charging maintain issues going. |
4 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Oppo Discover N5 assessment: Additionally think about
How I examined the Oppo Discover N5
I used the Oppo Discover N5 as my most important smartphone for a interval of 1 week, placing it by each day use instances like watching movies, listening to music, scrolling by social media, and studying articles, in addition to extra intentional exams like gaming periods and timed charging. The mannequin I examined got here within the white shade possibility and got here with the usual 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Utilizing the Discover N5 as my each day driver over every week or so additionally gave me a way of how helpful or annoying the optimistic and unfavourable attributes of the Discover N5 are, significantly how the cellphone holds up ergonomically over time. I then utilized my broad information of the smartphone market and journalistic coaching to evaluate the efficiency and worth of the Discover N5.
For extra on our smartphone testing course of, ensure to try how we test telephones for assessment.