The Oppo A74 is one of those mid-range smartphones that manages to strike a balance between affordability and performance. While it may not compete with flagship devices in terms of raw power or cutting-edge features, it offers a solid package for everyday users who prioritize reliability, decent cameras, and long battery life. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the Oppo A74 stand out in its price segment and whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Oppo A74 doesn’t break any new ground in terms of design, but it’s far from unattractive. The phone features a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with a glossy plastic back that catches the light in a way that mimics glass. It’s available in two color options: Prism Black and Midnight Blue. The rear panel houses a rectangular camera module that protrudes slightly, but not enough to make the phone wobble when placed on a flat surface. The device feels surprisingly premium in hand, despite its plastic construction, and the curved edges make it comfortable to hold for extended periods.

One of the standout design elements is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which doubles as the power button. It’s fast and accurate, a welcome feature in this price range where in-display sensors are often slow or unreliable. The phone also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare even in mid-range devices. At 175 grams, it’s neither too heavy nor too light, striking a good balance that makes it feel substantial without being cumbersome.

Display

The Oppo A74 sports a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This is one of the phone’s strongest selling points, as AMOLED panels at this price point are still relatively uncommon. The screen delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for media consumption. Whether you’re watching videos, scrolling through social media, or playing games, the display provides an immersive experience.

Brightness levels are adequate for indoor use, though it can struggle a bit under direct sunlight. The 60Hz refresh rate is a slight letdown in an era where even budget phones are adopting 90Hz or 120Hz panels, but for most users, this won’t be a dealbreaker. The display also features a small punch-hole cutout for the front camera, which is unobtrusive and doesn’t interfere with content.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Oppo A74 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The Snapdragon 662 is a modest processor, but it handles everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming with ease. Multitasking is smooth, thanks to the ample RAM, though heavy apps or games may cause occasional stutters. Storage is expandable via a microSD card, which is a nice touch for users who need extra space for photos, videos, or apps.

The phone runs on ColorOS 11.1, based on Android 11. Oppo’s custom skin is feature-rich but can feel a bit bloated at times. There are plenty of customization options, from theme engines to gesture controls, but some pre-installed apps and bloatware can’t be uninstalled. That said, the software is generally stable and receives regular security updates, which is a plus for long-term usability.

Camera Performance

The Oppo A74 features a quad-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and two 2MP sensors for macro and depth sensing. The primary camera captures detailed and well-exposed shots in good lighting, with accurate colors and decent dynamic range. The ultra-wide lens is useful for capturing landscapes or group photos, though there’s a noticeable drop in sharpness and detail compared to the main sensor.

Low-light performance is average, as expected at this price point. Night mode helps brighten shadows and reduce noise, but don’t expect flagship-level results. The macro and depth sensors feel more like filler than functional additions—macro shots lack detail, and portrait mode can struggle with edge detection. On the front, the 16MP selfie camera produces flattering images with good skin tones, though it tends to over-smooth faces in certain lighting conditions.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is where the Oppo A74 truly shines. The 5,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day of heavy use, and lighter users might even stretch it to two days. Streaming videos, browsing, and social media usage drain the battery at a slow and steady pace, making this an excellent choice for those who hate frequent charging. The phone supports 33W fast charging, which can top up the battery from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes—a handy feature when you’re in a rush.

Final Verdict

The Oppo A74 is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that excels in key areas like display quality, battery life, and design. While it may not wow tech enthusiasts with its performance or camera capabilities, it delivers consistent and reliable performance for everyday use. If you’re looking for an affordable device with an AMOLED display and long-lasting battery, the Oppo A74 is definitely worth considering.

Oppo A74 Full Specifications:

Display: 6.43-inch AMOLED, 2400 x 1080 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662

RAM: 6GB

Storage: 128GB (expandable via microSD)

Rear Cameras: 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth

Front Camera: 16MP

Battery: 5,000mAh with 33W fast charging

Operating System: ColorOS 11.1 (based on Android 11)

Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm headphone jack

Dimensions: 160.3 x 73.8 x 8 mm

Weight: 175 grams

Colors: Prism Black, Midnight Blue