Oppo A38 Review – Budget Beast or Just Basic? (2025)
Introduction
Looking for a smartphone that will not cost you a fortune, but still delivers solid performance? The Oppo A38 is one of the most talked-about budget smartphones in South Africa for 2025.
With a big battery, stylish design, decent cameras, and reliable performance for everyday use, it is positioned as a go-to option for budget-conscious buyers. But does it live up to the hype? Let us break it down.
And remember — if you are shopping for the best cell phone contracts in South Africa, Phonefinder makes it easy to compare deals from MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom all in one place.
Sleek Design That Does Not Feel Cheap
- Weight: 190g — comfortable for daily use
- Build: Polycarbonate back that resists scratches
- Colours: Shiny Gold and Glowing Black
- Extras: 3.5mm headphone jack included
It is slim, modern, and practical — perfect for one-handed use.
Display: Smooth Enough for Daily Use
| Feature | Oppo A38 Display |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.56-inch LCD |
| Resolution | HD+ |
| Brightness | Up to 720 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz |
| Touch Response | Fast and reliable |
Great for social media, YouTube, and browsing, but do not expect OLED-level depth or sharpness.
Performance: Reliable for Everyday Tasks
Powered by the MediaTek Helio G85, paired with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, the A38 gets the basics right. Plus, you can expand with a microSD card (up to 1TB).
- ✅ Browsing, texting, WhatsApp, YouTube
- ✅ Casual games like Subway Surfers, Clash Royale
- ❌ Demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty at high settings
Battery Life: The Real Champion
| Usage Style | Battery Life |
|---|---|
| Heavy use | 1 full day |
| Light use | Up to 2 days |
| Charging Speed | 33W SUPERVOOC (50% in ±30 mins) |
Camera: Good by Day, Average by Night
| Camera | Specs and Performance |
|---|---|
| Main Rear | 50MP — sharp daylight shots, good portraits |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP — adds natural background blur |
| Front Camera | 5MP — good for video calls, basic selfies |
| Video | Up to 1080p, 30fps |
| Night Shots | Grainy, average quality |
Software Experience: Clean and Customisable
- Gesture navigation
- Dark mode and Eye Comfort
- App Cloner (use 2 WhatsApp accounts)
- RAM Expansion (adds virtual memory)
Plus, Oppo promises at least 1 major Android update and 2 years of security patches.
Connectivity: Covers the Basics
- Dual 4G SIM support
- Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.3
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- ❌ No 5G support
- ❌ No NFC (no tap-to-pay)
Oppo A38 vs Rivals
| Phone | Fast Charging | Main Camera | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oppo A38 | 33W | 50MP | 5000mAh |
| Redmi 12C | 10W | 50MP | 5000mAh |
| Realme Narzo N53 | 33W | 50MP | 5000mAh |
Is the Oppo A38 Right for You?
✅ Buy it if:
- You want long-lasting battery life and fast charging
- You are on a budget but want a stylish design
- You mostly browse, stream, chat, and use social media
❌ Skip it if:
- You need 5G or NFC
- You are a heavy gamer
- You rely on top-tier night photography
FAQs – Oppo A38 South Africa
Q1: How long does the battery last?
Up to 2 days with light use, 1 day with heavy use.
Q2: Is it good for gaming?
Great for casual games, not for graphic-heavy ones.
Q3: Can I expand the storage?
Yes, with a microSD card up to 1TB.
Q4: Will it get Android updates?
Yes, at least 1 major update plus 2 years of security patches.
Q5: Does it support 5G?
No, it is 4G-only.
Q6: How is the selfie camera?
Fine for calls and basic selfies, but not for professional content creators.
Final Verdict – Should You Buy the Oppo A38 in 2025?
The Oppo A38 is a dependable daily driver for South Africans who need a smartphone that just works — without the premium price tag.
Strengths: Big battery, fast charging, stylish design, smooth software, reliable daylight camera.
Weaknesses: No 5G or NFC, average night photography, not for power gamers.
Phonefinder Verdict: 8.3/10 – A well-balanced budget phone that delivers great value.
About Phonefinder
At Phonefinder, we help South Africans compare mobile phone contracts across MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, and Telkom. Whether you are looking for the latest Oppo, Samsung, Huawei, or iPhone, our platform makes it simple to find the best deal in minutes.
