OPPO A6x Unveiled: Two Variants, Surprising Twists, and What They Mean for You

Well, look what we have here! OPPO, always keen to keep us on our toes, has just pulled back the curtain on its new A6x series in China. And get this – they're rolling out two distinct versions right off the bat: an OPPO A6x 4G and, as you might expect, an OPPO A6x 5G. Now, usually, the 5G variant is the clear step up in every way, right? But OPPO seems to be playing a slightly different game this time, mixing things up in some rather interesting ways.

Let's kick things off with the so-called "4G" model, because it actually packs a delightful surprise. For starters, you're getting a gorgeous 6.67-inch AMOLED display. Yes, AMOLED on the 4G version! It boasts a crisp Full HD+ resolution and a super smooth 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring everything from scrolling through your feeds to gaming feels incredibly fluid. Plus, it can hit a respectable 600 nits typical brightness, with a peak of 950 nits in High Brightness Mode, making it pretty decent outdoors. Oh, and it's protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which is always a welcome sight.

Under the hood, things get a tad peculiar. This "4G" model is listed with the Dimensity 6300 chipset. Now, if you're like me, you might be scratching your head, thinking, "Isn't Dimensity 6300 a 5G-capable chip?" And you'd be absolutely right! It's a bit of a head-scratcher why it's branded as a 4G variant, but perhaps it's a regional marketing decision or just how OPPO wants to segment its features. Regardless, it comes paired with a healthy 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For photos, you'll find a 50MP main camera (using an OV50K sensor with a 1/2.75" size and f/1.8 aperture) alongside a 2MP depth sensor. Selfies are handled by an 8MP front-facing camera. Keeping it all juiced up is a robust 5,000 mAh battery, supported by 45W fast charging, and it runs ColorOS 14 straight out of the box, based on Android 14.

Now, let's turn our attention to the OPPO A6x 5G variant. This one, surprisingly, opts for a 6.67-inch LCD display, rather than the AMOLED panel seen on its supposed "lesser" sibling. It still offers a Full HD+ resolution and a zippy 120Hz refresh rate, which is great, but the lack of AMOLED might be a bit of a letdown for some. Brightness peaks at 600 nits, with no mention of the HBM or Gorilla Glass 5 protection found on the 4G model. Curiously, it also uses the same Dimensity 6300 chipset – reinforcing the odd "4G" branding for the other variant.

Where the 5G model really tries to shine is in its camera setup. You still get that capable 50MP main sensor, but this time it's the Sony LYT600 and crucially, it features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) – a definite upgrade for clearer, steadier shots. Plus, OPPO has added an 8MP ultrawide lens, which is fantastic for capturing those broader landscapes or group photos, alongside the ubiquitous 2MP depth sensor. The front camera also gets a bump up to 16MP, perfect for crisper selfies and video calls. Powering this version is the same generous 5,000 mAh battery with 45W fast charging, and yes, it also ships with ColorOS 14 based on Android 14.

So, here's the interesting part, the pricing. The OPPO A6x 4G is launching at CNY 1,199, which translates to roughly $165 or €155. The OPPO A6x 5G, with its enhanced camera system but LCD screen, comes in at CNY 1,399 – about $195 or €180. Both models are set to hit the shelves in China starting May 24th. It's a curious choice by OPPO to put the premium display on the cheaper "4G" model and better cameras on the pricier "5G" one, especially when both share the same 5G-capable chipset. It really makes you think about what features matter most to you when picking your next smartphone!