I am going to buy a phone as a gift with a budget of $400.
A quick research on the net shows that OPPO A91 is quite a good phone that fits the budget. However I would like to hear opinions and suggestions from users in the forum. Perhaps there are better phones in the price range.
The requirements are quite basic:
Thanks!
/WT
Sorry, I didn't quite get the last point of "only 12 more months of features software update". Could you please elaborate? Thanks.
Is there another phone you would recommend?
Unless it has been announced otherwise, android phones typically get 2 years (or less) of software update, plus an extra year of security only update. Oppo website confirms suggests 3 year of security update support, but not the feature update.
A91 was released in December 2019. It is reasonable to expect they will provide at most another feature update before December 2021 (android 11, next coloros), but not after. Meaning if you buy this as a gift for someone, the phone model will be pretty much out of date in a years time, with 12 more months of security fix support and that's it.
I don't have another phone to recommend. I bought this phone as a gap phone and quite like this phone and not looking to upgrade at the moment. But if I am to replace this phone, I would pick something else. Likely a 5G phone on Telstra. Not within your budget.
Thanks for such a detailed reply. The links are informative too. Really appreciate it.
Just out of curiousity, does iphone have longer years of software update and security-only update?
@BendBridge: A bit guessing for me on iOS as I don't use them. From wiki, latest iOS 14 runs on iPhone 6S, which was made in 2015. iPhone 5S, which was made in 2013, still receives security update if running iOS 12. So pretty reasonable to assume they have longer update support than Google pixel/Samsung galaxy series in comparison.
I bought my A91 last Spring and I like it. Good camera. It is quick to recognise me so it unlocks. The battery does go quick if you use apps, but it charges quick too; but if you don't use apps, the thing will last 2-3 days. I am old & fall asleep alot & thus drop the phone alot, but she keeps on ticking :) It comes with a screen protector and phone protector, it is grouse to hold too. The ColorOS is too bloated & I felt like ripping the shit out of it, you can do weird things to it if you want to, or you can do what I did and just take the time and go through all the settings one by one and mainly switching most of them off.
I just checked on OPPO's website for their Updating Policy, and this is their reply:-
"Situation: You want to know how often OPPO updates its operating system, as well as the Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR).
Applicable to: All OPPO Smartphones.
For transparency and keeping up with the system performance and security of your device, here is the list of updates we do.
On Updating the Operating System:
For flagship models (Find Series), it is updated every 2 years. *For other models, we will list down once confirmed so stay tuned for any updates.
On how often OPPO updates Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR):
There’s a monthly update for flagship models (Find Series) and quarterly update for other models.
Additional information: Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) is a radio system where two or more mobile wireless transceivers are linked by a single digital signal."
I've had my A91 for about 9 months and apart from the battery life which is nothing special I'm reasonably happy with it.
I haven't had any issues with it, it takes good photos, audio is reasonable.
It's had a few security updates since I purchased it.
It came with Android 9, quickly updated to Android 10 and is due to get its final update, to Android 11, within the next couple of months.
For a cheapish phone you could do worse.
Just noticed OPPO Reno4 Z 5G on sale at $499 (was $599) at Woolworths. Is this phone worth the extra $100 compared to A91?
I've been using it for 8 months. It is a good phone for the requirements you've listed. Battery life is a bit meh. Wouldn't buy it as a gift for someone being a year old model so only 12 more months of features software update.