Oppo F21 Pro 5G- The smartphone market in India is constantly evolving, outpacing itself with every new launch. Consumer expectations are growing, especially in the mid-range segment, and the chase for the ultimate combination of style, substance, and value is real. Oppo, well-known for its design-centric phones and camera innovation, has thrown its latest hat into the ring — the Oppo F21 Pro 5G. But does this latest offering deliver the kind of all-rounder punch you’d want from a phone priced under ₹30,000? After using it extensively and pushing it through a multitude of scenarios, here is our deep-dive review, infused with practical insights and a real-world perspective.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Setting the Scene: The Quest for the Best Mid-Range Camera Phone
If you’ve scrolled through social media feeds or followed tech news recently, you’d know that the “best camera phone under ₹30,000” is one of the hottest debates around. Today’s users, especially content creators and the selfie generation, expect smartphone cameras that can deliver social-media ready results in any condition — whether you’re at a bustling night market, on a solo trek, or simply catching up with friends over coffee.
Oppo has long positioned itself as a leader in smartphone imaging, especially in this critical segment. The Oppo F21 Pro 5G rides in on the reputation of the F-series, with a promise to blend premium style, 5G speed, and powerful optics, all within a price bracket that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Unboxing Experience and First Impressions
Snap open the box and you’re greeted by the Oppo F21 Pro 5G in all its shimmering glory. The packaging itself is clean yet inviting: you immediately notice Oppo’s focus on presentation. Under the phone, you’ll find a soft silicone case, USB-C cable, 33W SuperVOOC charger, SIM ejector tool, and some paperwork. It’s nice to see Oppo hasn’t cut corners here — both accessories and the essentials are right where you want them.
The phone’s instantly noticeable — it’s slim, light, and gives off that unmistakable ‘premium’ vibe. The Sunset Orange and Cosmic Black color options bring serious visual flair; the orange even sports a lychee-grain leather finish that feels luxurious to the touch and invitingly grippy. The Cosmic Black variant looks sleek with its matte finish, resistant to fingerprints and smudges.
Weight sits comfortably at about 173g, and the slim 7.55mm profile means the Oppo F21 Pro 5G slips effortlessly into your pocket or even a small clutch. For a phone in this price range, this is design done right — Oppo delivers palpable elegance without pushing the device into the fragile territory.
Table: Oppo F21 Pro 5G Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 60Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G |
| RAM | 8GB (+5GB dynamic RAM) |
| Storage | 128GB (expandable via microSD) |
| Rear Cameras | 64MP Main + 2MP Macro + 2MP Depth |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Battery | 4,500mAh, 33W SuperVOOC charging |
| OS | ColorOS 12 (Android 12) |
| Weight | 173 grams |
| Thickness | 7.55mm |
| Connectivity | 5G, Dual SIM, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC |
| Other | IPX4 Splash Resistant |
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Style, Ergonomics, and Feel: The Everyday Luxury
Picking up the Oppo F21 Pro 5G, you immediately sense it isn’t just another run-of-the-mill slab of glass and metal. The phone is crafted for those who want their tech to look as good as it performs. The lychee-grain faux leather on the Sunset Orange variant draws stares; it’s that imaginatively textured layer of orange that gives off vibes reminiscent of high-end designer accessories. Oppo claims it’s also more stain-resistant and survives daily wear better than glossy glass backs, and after a week of everyday handling, it holds true.
Physical ergonomics matter, especially after long hours of use, and Oppo has nailed the comfort factor here. The power and volume buttons sit within natural reach for both left and right-handed users. A returning favorite for many is the flat-edge frame, which makes one-handed use more secure. It’s small touches like these that add up, giving daily usability a subtle, confident edge.
There’s no curved glass up front; instead, the AMOLED display nestles under a sheet of robust glass, with minimal bezels and a discrete punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. Water resistance is modest at IPX4, so while the phone won’t survive a dunk in the pool, it can handle splashes and sweaty palms without drama.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Display Experience: AMOLED Magic With a Familiar Caveat
Dive into the display and the Oppo F21 Pro 5G shines — almost literally. The 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panel immediately impresses with color richness and deep contrast, making everything from Instagram stories to Netflix binges pop. Blacks are inky, viewing angles are strong, and sunlight legibility is more than decent, thanks to 600 nits of peak brightness.
But here’s the deal: unlike some rivals that feature 90Hz or even 120Hz refresh rates, Oppo opts for a 60Hz panel. If you’re coming from a higher-refresh device, you’ll spot the difference; scrolling and animations feel just a shade less buttery. For some users, especially avid gamers and tech enthusiasts, this could be a letdown. Still, for the regular user catching up on social feeds, streaming shows, or hopping into occasional games, the display’s vibrancy and sharpness more than compensate.
Oppo’s ColorOS 12 brings along smart display tweaks, such as Always-On Display, customizable OS themes, and a gentle blue-light filter that works wonders during late-night reading sessions. Overall, this display is fun for movies, satisfying for reading, and sharp enough for professional photo editing on the go.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Under the Hood: Snapdragon 695 5G and Day-To-Day Performance
Powering the Oppo F21 Pro 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, a popular pick for phones in its class. Paired with 8GB of RAM (and up to 5GB virtual RAM expansion), along with 128GB storage, the experience for most users is pretty snappy. Everyday tasks — like juggling between WhatsApp chats, endless Instagram scrolling, binging YouTube, and firing up Google Maps — are handled with ease. The phone rarely breaks a sweat.
Gaming is a central expectation for many mid-range buyers. On this front, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G isn’t a beast, but it does the job comfortably for casual gaming. Titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run smoothly at medium settings. Push it too hard with graphically intensive games at max settings, and you’ll see occasional frame drops and the device warming up slightly. For marathon gaming sessions, this might not be your top pick — but for most daily moments of gaming fun, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G stands up just fine.
What matters most is that even with dozens of Chrome tabs open, app-switching feels zippy. Oppo’s ColorOS is slimmed down and well-optimized, giving the Snapdragon 695 enough breathing space to keep things running smoothly.
The Oppo F21 Pro 5G Camera System: The Moment of Truth
A big, bold promise comes on the camera front. Oppo has a reputation to defend, and with a triple camera setup that includes a substantial 64MP main sensor, expectations are sky-high.
Main Camera — 64MP
Photos from the main camera are crisp, detailed, and most importantly, natural-looking. In daylight and good ambient setups, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G captures colors faithfully — not oversaturated but with enough pop to keep Instagram happy. Dynamic range improved compared to earlier F-series models, so well-lit outdoor shots retain both shadow and highlight detail well.
Where the camera shines is in portrait mode. Oppo’s AI algorithm gets skin tones right and background blur (bokeh) feels pleasing rather than artificial. If you love taking pictures of people — friends, pets, yourself — you’ll find the results consistently strong. The edge detection occasionally falters with fine hair or glasses, something you’ll spot if you’re nitpicky, but overall, it’s impressive for a device at this price.
Low light is where the Oppo F21 Pro 5G’s main sensor is put to the test. With Night mode enabled, noise is kept relatively in check, and you get bright, usable shots even in challenging dim-lit cafes or streets. There’s still a tradeoff — corners soften and some detail is lost, but unless you zoom in relentlessly, shots retain their appeal for social sharing.
Two 2MP Sensors — Macro and Depth
Oppo throws in two additional 2MP cameras for macro and depth effects. The macro sensor is handy for close-ups of flowers, insects, or fine textures, but the results are decent rather than jaw-dropping. With such small sensors, lighting and steadiness matter; images can sometimes feel soft or washed out.
The depth sensor quietly goes about its job in portrait mode, helping with the background blur effect. This combo, when paired with Oppo’s software smarts, keeps the focus sharp and results creamy.
Front Camera — 16MP
Selfies are a highlight. The front camera is well-tuned for Indian skin tones and tends to flatter by default — smoothing blemishes while retaining enough facial detail so you still look like, well, you. There’s plenty of beautification and AI scene recognition, but if you prefer untouched selfies, these can be dialed down or off.
Video calls stay stable, even indoors, and the camera’s electronic stabilization works to iron out slight shakes when walking and recording. That said, video maxes out at 1080p — 4K fans will find this limiting.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Real World Camera Use: A Week of Shooting
Instead of diving into clinical comparisons, let’s get practical. Over a week, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G was carried everywhere: to busy street markets, family dinners, a local park at dusk, and an impromptu road trip on a rainy afternoon.
Morning shots in good light routinely impressed — whether capturing vivid flower beds or city silhouettes. Indoors, the camera handled tricky lighting like an expert; photographs of homemade desserts or candid pet snaps came out bright and sharp. Night photography at roadside stalls or dim lounges showed what the post-processing could do, pulling out more detail and color than you’d expect.
Friends eagerly posed for portraits, and the camera’s edge detection handled everything from flowing hair to sunglasses. There’s an undeniable fun factor in experimenting with filters, retouching options, and video modes like Dual-View, which records from both front and back cameras simultaneously.
In summary, while Oppo doesn’t rewrite camera history in this segment, it consistently nails the main thing that matters — making you look good, and your moments look memorable.
Video Quality and Features
On the video side, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G offers a competent experience. It records up to 1080p at 30fps, and while 4K recording is missing (a trend with Snapdragon 695-based phones), stabilization ensures that home movies and vlogs don’t turn out wobbly. Autofocus works swiftly, and audio capture remains clear even in outdoor settings.
The ability to shoot with both front and rear cameras in split view is a highlight, particularly for content creators or families recording milestone moments. Slow-motion and time-lapse options add to the creative arsenal, although ultimate video fiends might miss more pro-level controls.
Battery Life: Lasts and Lasts
If you ask any smartphone owner about their number one complaint, battery life usually tops the list. Oppo seems to recognize this, and the Oppo F21 Pro 5G Review: Best Camera Phone Under ₹30,000 packs a reliable 4,500mAh battery paired with intelligent optimization features.
With regular use — social scrolling, a few hours of streaming, camera sessions, and some navigation — getting through a full day is easy. On heavier days, with multiple gaming sessions or long commutes filled with podcasts and maps, the battery still manages to hold up until bedtime.
A big selling point is the 33W SuperVOOC charger. Charge it from empty and you’re close to 60% in half an hour, fully topped up in about 70 minutes. Whether you’re rushing to leave in the morning or squeezing in a quick boost before a night out, charging anxiety isn’t a thing here.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G ColorOS 12: Software That Stays Out of Your Way
Good hardware can be ruined by bad software, so it’s a relief that ColorOS 12 (built on Android 12) is maturing well. Oppo’s interface feels less bloated than previous generations, with a cleaner notification shade, fluid animations, and sturdy privacy controls.
Customizing your phone is easy — widgets, themes, icon packs, and Always-On Display tweaks are abundant. You get a bunch of built-in tools: a system-wide dark mode, app cloner for running two WhatsApp accounts, flexible split-screen multitasking, and a robust gallery app with AI search. For privacy buffs, the privacy dashboard and permission manager bring you up-to-speed with the best of what Android offers.
Bloatware is kept relatively controlled, and most non-essential apps can be uninstalled. Regular updates remain crucial — Oppo’s track record has been mixed, but recent efforts seem more committed to monthly security patches and timely Android version upgrades.
5G and Connectivity: Ready for Tomorrow
One of the reasons many users are eyeing mid-range phones for upgrades is 5G readiness. The Oppo F21 Pro 5G supports multiple 5G bands, ensuring that when networks become mainstream in your area, you won’t have to upgrade again.
Daily connectivity is rock solid. Calls are clear, dual SIM flexibility works as promised, Wi-Fi remains steady even in crowded spots, and Bluetooth is strong for wireless audio. NFC is included for easy tap-and-pay moments or quick sharing.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Multimedia and Everyday Use: Surprising Joys
Streaming music, catching up on web series, or doom-scrolling through endless reels — the Oppo F21 Pro 5G handles them all with finesse. The AMOLED display makes videos come alive, while a bottom-firing speaker keeps audio clean, if a bit tinny at louder volumes. A side-mounted fingerprint reader is fast and reliable; face unlock is quick but not the most secure, so best reserved for non-sensitive moments.
Haptic feedback is decent, helping with typing accuracy, and the phone never gets uncomfortably warm unless pushed with heavy graphics. There’s an inbuilt game assistant to tune performance and block distractions during crucial gaming moments.
Storage, RAM, and Expansion
With 128GB onboard, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G leaves ample breathing room for thousands of high-res photos, a season’s worth of binge-watching, and all your favorite apps. The microSD slot is a saving grace for anyone who hates dealing with ‘storage full’ pop-ups. The 8GB RAM plus dynamic 5GB expansion is more of a future-proofing feature — multitasking feels genuinely zippy.
The Oppo F21 Pro 5G vs. The Competition
How does the Oppo F21 Pro 5G hold up against its peers? The ₹20,000–₹30,000 space is fiercely fought over by Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, and Motorola, all offering compelling alternatives.
If you’re chasing high-refresh displays, the Realme 9 Pro+ or Xiaomi Note 11 Pro+ push ahead with 90 or 120Hz panels. For pure performance, devices with the Snapdragon 778G edge out the F21 Pro 5G in gaming benchmarks.
Where Oppo clinches its advantage is in styling, camera consistency, and software polish. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy M52 offer stronger battery endurance, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 matches Oppo’s 5G-future proofing at a similar price.
But rarely do you feel a smartphone’s personality shining through as much as with the F21 Pro 5G — it feels thoughtfully built for real-world users, not just spec-sheet warriors.
Who Should Buy the Oppo F21 Pro 5G?
This phone isn’t for everyone, but it nails its crowd. If you…
- Value eye-catching design and a comfortable in-hand feel
- Want reliable cameras that make your daily life and people look good
- Prefer a software experience that feels polished but customizable
- Care about fast charging and all-day battery confidence
- Don’t mind a 60Hz screen to get better battery and AMOLED richness
- Crave the security of 5G-readiness
…then the Oppo F21 Pro 5G is tailor-made for you.
Techies who want raw power for gaming or 120Hz display aficionados may want to look elsewhere, but for the style-savvy, socially active, and everyday multitasker, this device is an easy recommendation.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Long-Term Thoughts: After The Honeymoon
After the first week, does the Oppo F21 Pro 5G retain its charm? In a word, yes. It has enough oomph to stand out at a party and more than enough reliability to serve as your workhorse. The camera doesn’t just slap on filters — it genuinely helps preserve memories. The battery keeps anxiety at bay, and quick charging is addictive. You stop worrying about carrying a power bank.
Software is a quiet strength; it matures and adapts as you settle into your routines. Little extras like the leather finish and splash resistance feel more valuable with daily use. The phone neither slows down unexpectedly nor nags you with storage warnings or clunky bloatware.
Of course, no phone is perfect. The absence of a 90Hz or 120Hz display stings for tech enthusiasts, the macro camera is more novelty than necessity, and lack of 4K video limits pro-level content creation. But these are trade-offs you might be willing to accept for all the things this Oppo gets right.
Oppo F21 Pro 5G Final Verdict: Best Camera Phone Under ₹30,000?
After living with the Oppo F21 Pro 5G, it’s clear this isn’t a phone trying to wow you with numbers or niche features. It’s a phone built for everyday people, everyday moments, and the simple joys of great looks backed by dependable performance.
For the style-conscious, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G feels like a statement. For photo lovers, it consistently delivers shots you’ll love to share, especially for portraits and vibrant city moments. Factor in speedy charging, all-day battery, and assured 5G connectivity, and Oppo’s latest is a compelling package.
In the race for the best camera phone under ₹30,000, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G is definitely one of the front-runners. It’s not the best raw performer, nor does it offer the smoothest display in its bracket. But as a device you’ll enjoy using — and be proud to show off — day in, day out, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G ticks nearly every box that matters.
If you want a bit more than just another black rectangle in your hand, something that matches your style and your pace, this Oppo could easily become your favorite companion. In the end, perhaps what matters most isn’t just the ‘best’ camera, but the best experience — and the Oppo F21 Pro 5G makes a strong case for itself in that department.