The Oppo A5s, also marketed as the AX5s in several regions, is a budget-oriented smartphone that arrived in early 2019 with a clear mission: deliver a big screen, a large battery, and dual rear cameras at an entry-level price. Announced in March 2019 and released the following month, it paired a waterdrop-notch 6.2-inch display with MediaTek’s Helio P35 chipset, positioning itself for first-time smartphone buyers and shoppers who wanted maximum battery endurance without overspending.
Today the A5s carries a “Discontinued” status, so this article approaches it as a legacy and second-hand buying reference rather than a new-purchase recommendation. Below, we break down what the phone did well for its class, where its compromises show, and who might still get real value from it in the used market. For verified technical details, primary sources such as Oppo’s official support pages, GSMArena, and MediaTek’s Helio P35 page remain the best anchors.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced | 2019, March 18. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions | 155.9 x 75.4 x 8.2 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
Display
| Type | S-IPS LCD |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Platform
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), ColorOS 5.2 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 |
Memory
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 |
Main Camera
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
Selfie camera
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.12µm |
| Features | HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| NFC | No |
| Radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
Features
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
Battery
| Type | Li-Ion 4230 mAh, non-removable |
Misc
| Colors | Red, Black, Gold, Green |
| Models | CPH1909, CPH1920, CPH1912 |
Value in Context: A Budget Big-Battery Phone
When it launched, the Oppo A5s targeted the crowded sub-entry tier where battery life and screen size sell handsets. Its headline appeal was a 4230 mAh battery paired with a power-efficient 12 nm chipset, a combination that promised all-day endurance for light users. Because pricing has always varied by region and the device is now discontinued, treat any figure you see as an approximate used-market value; there is no current official retail price to quote.
Against modern rivals like the Oppo A18 or Realme Note 50, the A5s clearly shows its age, but as a first phone, spare device, or hand-me-down it still covers the essentials of calling, messaging, and casual browsing.
Design and Build Quality
The A5s measures 155.9 x 75.4 x 8.2 mm and weighs 170 g, which is comfortable in hand despite the sizeable battery inside. Oppo used a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, matched with a plastic back and plastic frame, a sensible cost-saving choice for the segment. A rear-mounted fingerprint sensor sits within easy reach, and the color options at launch included Red, Black, Gold, and Green.
The design language is typical of 2019 budget phones: a glossy plastic rear, a small waterdrop notch, and slightly thick bezels by today’s standards. It is unremarkable but durable enough for everyday use.
Display: Big Screen, Modest Sharpness
The 6.2-inch S-IPS LCD panel runs at 720 x 1520 pixels in a 19:9 aspect ratio, giving roughly 271 ppi and an 81.6% screen-to-body ratio. Colors are acceptable for an LCD in this bracket, and the tall format suits scrolling social feeds and messaging.
Sharpness is the obvious trade-off. HD+ resolution keeps costs and battery draw down, but text and fine detail are noticeably softer than on the 1080p screens that dominate newer budget models. For video and casual use it is perfectly serviceable; for reading-heavy tasks it feels dated.
Performance and Everyday Speed
Under the hood sits the MediaTek Helio P35 (MT6765), an octa-core chip with four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz, backed by the PowerVR GE8320 GPU. RAM and storage shipped in several configurations — from 2 GB/32 GB up to 4 GB/64 GB — using eMMC 5.1 storage.
This platform was built for efficiency rather than speed. Basic tasks like calls, chat apps, and web browsing run smoothly on the higher-RAM variants, but heavy multitasking and modern games will strain it. If you are considering a used unit, prioritise the 3 GB or 4 GB models for a more comfortable experience.
Cameras: Dual Rear, Simple Results
The A5s features a dual rear camera led by a 13 MP f/2.2 wide sensor with an auxiliary lens, supported by an LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes. Video tops out at 1080p at 30fps. On the front, an 8 MP f/2.0 selfie camera also records 1080p and includes HDR.
Image quality is in line with expectations for a 2019 budget device: usable daylight shots, softer low-light performance, and limited dynamic range. It captures memories adequately but is not a reason to choose the phone on its own merits today.
Battery Life and Charging
The 4230 mAh non-removable battery is arguably the A5s’s strongest feature. Combined with the frugal Helio P35 and the low-resolution HD+ screen, it comfortably delivers a full day and often more for lighter users, which made it popular among buyers who prioritise endurance.
The compromise is charging: the phone relies on microUSB 2.0 rather than USB-C, and there is no fast-charging headline to speak of, so top-ups are slow by current standards. It also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio, both welcome for budget users.
Software and Connectivity
The A5s launched on Android 8.1 Oreo with ColorOS 5.2 on top. As a discontinued model, it will not receive current Android updates, which is an important consideration for security-conscious buyers evaluating it second-hand.
Connectivity covers 4G LTE, dual Nano-SIM with a dedicated microSDXC slot, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, and multi-system GPS. Notably, there is no NFC, so contactless payments are off the table. The dedicated card slot is a plus, letting you expand storage without sacrificing a second SIM.
Who Should Consider the Oppo A5s Today
The A5s makes sense as an inexpensive backup phone, a durable device for children or older relatives, or a simple daily driver for someone who mainly calls, texts, and browses. Its long battery life and expandable storage remain genuinely useful.
Buyers who want sharp visuals, fast performance, NFC payments, or ongoing software updates should look to a newer entry-level model instead, such as current Oppo A-series or Realme releases.
Conclusion
The Oppo A5s (AX5s) was a sensible budget phone in 2019, built around a large battery, a big HD+ display, and dependable everyday reliability rather than raw power. Its weaknesses — a low-resolution screen, microUSB charging, no NFC, and an outdated Android version — are more pronounced now that it is discontinued. As a result, we recommend it only as a low-cost second-hand option for undemanding users who value battery endurance and simplicity; anyone needing modern performance, security updates, or a sharper display should choose a current entry-level Oppo or Realme model. Always verify the exact variant and condition before buying used, and confirm specifications against reputable sources.
References
- OPPO official product/support pages for OPPO A5s / AX5s (oppo.com) – Primary manufacturer source to verify official model naming, regional variants, colors, memory configurations, dimensions, battery rating, camera claims, and included software where an active or archived regional product page/manual is avai
- GSMArena – Oppo A5s (AX5s) full specifications – Established mobile device reference with a dedicated Oppo A5s (AX5s) specs page covering display, chipset, memory, cameras, battery, connectivity, dimensions, and release information.
- MediaTek Helio P35 official product page – Official chipset manufacturer source for the Helio P35 platform used in the Oppo A5s, useful for confirming CPU/GPU platform details and SoC capabilities.
