Gadget review: Oppo Joy 3 A11W It’s sleek, light and fast

For an entry-level phone on a shoestring budget, Joy 3 packs in almost all the basic features — office essentials, a (rather strong) flashlight, sound recorder and radio.

Review: Oppo Joy 3 A11W is sleek, light and fast. But if you’re shutter-happy, this isn’t for you

QUICK SPECS
What: Oppo Joy 3 A11W
At a glance: Android KitKat version, 1 GB RAM, 5MP primary camera
USP: Battery power and multitasking
Best buy: ₹7,990 at Oppo stores, retail outlets
Rating: ***

In the past, Oppo's smartphones have received positive reviews for their innovativeness and competitive pricing. So we had high expectations from their new entry-level phone, Oppo Joy 3 A11W and we weren't disappointed. Available in grey and white metallic finish, the phone is as lightweight and sleek as any other smartphone in the market. Moreover, the phone supports an expandable memory of up to 32GB to ensure there's no space crunch, ever.

What's good: For an entry-level phone on a shoestring budget, Joy 3 packs in almost all the basic features — office essentials, a (rather strong) flashlight, sound recorder and radio. However, its biggest positive is the strong 2,000mAh battery — it easily lasts for a day even after heavy use. The lightweight phone is easy to hold, and the 4.5 inch display is crisp. Surprisingly, the 1GB RAM functions smoothly too — we put it to the test with Android's KitKat version and ran multiple applications. The phone hung just once.

What's not: With phone cameras gaining prominence, people ditch DSL₹for smartphones. However, Joy 3's 5MP primary camera is its biggest setback. Even the 2MP front camera is disappointing as it comes with preloaded filters and the colour balance/contrast is poor. The post-editing options are limited as well.

Verdict: Oppo Joy 3 is a feasible option if you are looking for a fast, entry-level smartphone. However, if you want a good camera phone, you should explore other options.