Oppo Reno 3 vs Samsung Galaxy A71 - when is it worth paying extra?

Contrary to appearances, these phones have a bit more in common than just plastic "backs". They both look trendy, belong to one market segment... and I liked both during testing. Today I will consider which one is better, or which one will meet your expectations better. In other words - I will try to suggest a selection to those who hesitate between these two models.

1. Plastic is likeable
2. Samsung Galaxy A71 is bigger
3. The screens are comparable, but...
4. Readers under the screen
5. Samsung Galaxy A71 has higher performance
6. The Color OS vs One UI interface
7. Galaxy A71 has a larger battery, but so what...
8. Samsung Galaxy A71 has a (slightly) better speaker
9. Oppo Reno 3 has a more universal camera
10. Is it better to buy Oppo Reno 3 or Galaxy A71?
11. Useful links
12. Videoreviews
13. Reno 3 and Galaxy A71 specifications

Plastic is likeable

As I mentioned, both smartphones feature plastic-coated housings. You will say that it is a minus - and I, perversely, will say that it is rather an advantage! Thanks to this, smartphones are slimmer and lighter, and in addition - in the event of a fall, the back will not break! If we add that both compared models look really great and can boldly be considered elegant and pretty - we already have a completely different picture of plastic. Which is prettier? Judge for yourself. I like the back of Oppo Reno 3 more, but looking from the front - I would choose Galaxy A71. Unfortunately, none of the smartphones in question is waterproof. Both are ergonomic (although in Oppo you have to get used to the unusual position of the buttons), both are slim and light.

Useful links:

• See what the Samsung Galaxy A71 looks like
• See what Oppo Reno 3 looks like
• Compare the dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy A71 and Oppo Reno 3

Samsung Galaxy A71 is bigger

Choosing the more handy of comparable models will be easy. If you prefer a smaller phone, choose Oppo Reno 3. It is smaller than Galaxy A71, but remember that it also means a smaller screen, in addition with a droplet notch. In Samsung, you will find a more elegant hole for a selfie camera, and a large screen will be more convenient for many of you. In my opinion - it is best to go to the store and check both models. Samsung is only 9g heavier, and the differences in case sizes (Compare the dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy A71 and Oppo Reno 3) are measured in millimeters. Meanwhile, the difference in the size of the screens is 0.3 inches ... Personally - I would be guided by the size of the display and choose Samsung.

The screens are comparable, but...

There is basically a draw here. Both phones have great AMOLED displays. Both are perfect for sunny days, offer attractive, saturated colours and similar brightness levels. In Oppo Reno 3 we will find an additional OSIE function - OPPO Screen Image Engine. It is supposed to improve the image quality in social and film applications, but honestly, I did not see any spectacular effects of its operation. Both phones have eye protection functions, as well as a dark interface theme and Always-on-Display. If you are very attached to numbers, then with the same resolution (1080x2400 px), the larger Samsung screen has a lower pixel density factor. The question is, are you looking at the phone through the magnifying glass ... Just be guided by the size of the phone. In both models, the screen will not disappoint you.

Readers under the screen

In terms of security, there is also a draw, with a slight indication of Samsung, offering the KNOX protection platform. Nevertheless, you can have a secret folder in both models, and in both you will also find simple facial recognition and fingerprint readers hidden under the screen. Both readers were placed quite comfortably, but I wasn't happy with either. They work slower than classic, good "tiles". I would describe the level of error-free reading as comparable - satisfactory. Likewise, I don't see any drastic differences in the speed and reliability of facial recognition systems. They're nice, but remember that there is (in theory) a way around this blockade.

Samsung Galaxy A71 has higher performance

MediaTek at Oppo vs Qualcomm at Samsung. You probably know everything by now, this round is won by Samsung Galaxy A71, although it has 2 GB of RAM less. The benchmark result clearly shows the difference between the Helio P90 and the Snapdragon 730, but ... In everyday life, you don't necessarily notice it.

Both smartphones work stable and smoothly, neither has a tendency to overheat, and you will notice any differences only in games or during multimedia processing. They will be noticeable, but slightly. Both models offer more or less the same space for files - they have 128 GB of memory, but unfortunately not the fastest... In both we find separate microSD card slots, which I personally consider a great advantage.

Company interfaces

In both smartphones you will find company interfaces. In Oppo Color OS, in Galaxy - One UI. Both are based on Android 10 and due to the "topicality" of both models, they have fresh security patches and the latest versions of the company's overlays. Which one is better? I like both, but judging with a distance... I recommend the Samsung interface to people who appreciate readability, simplicity and ergonomics, while the Color OS from Oppo will please those who like to "tailor" the phone to themselves and add a lot of personal accents. Of course, I'm not saying that the Oppo overlay is worse - it is just different, built according to different assumptions. And although I personally prefer One UI, I also recommend that you familiarize yourself with Oppo's ideas. Some are interesting, and you will learn more about them in our review. In both phones you will find a lot of additional, pre-installed applications, but more - probably in Samsung. I admit, I didn't count. However, I can assure you that you will not find junk applications on any of the phones, and you can uninstall those you do not need. Both models offer applications that facilitate "switching" from an old phone to a new one. Here - I give the Samsung app a higher score. Oppo makes up for the loss with a pre-installed movie editing program.

Galaxy A71 has a larger battery, but so what...

Samsung Galaxy A71 has a 4500 mAh battery, and Oppo Reno 3 - 4025 mAh. In practice, it is the same, because Samsung has a larger display that needs a bit more power. The difference is also compensated by the faster charging offered by Reno 3. And therefore, if I was only guided by the battery capabilities, I would choose Oppo. But a smartphone is more than just a battery...

Samsung Galaxy A71 has a (slightly) better speaker

Both models offer a similar range of connectivity interfaces and high sound quality during calls. In both we find minijacks and Dolby Atmos, but in Samsung we have a slightly more extensive equalizer with an interesting Adapt Sound function. It allows you to adjust the sound correction to the capabilities of our headphones and ears. Unfortunately, both compared models have only single multimedia speaker. The one in Samsung sounds average, the one in Oppo - even worse. So - in this fight by a hair, Galaxy A71 wins.

Oppo Reno 3 has a more universal camera

Samsung Galaxy A71 tempts with a 64-megapixel matrix, while Oppo Reno 3 offers "only" 48 megapixels. The main matrix is not everything, however. If I was guided by the photographic possibilities, I would choose Oppo Reno 3 due to the higher universality of the camera. Why? Because it has a telephoto lens! It is true that the lossless zoom is not high - but it is always better a small zoom than no zoom. Samsung - instead of a telephoto lens - offers a macro camera. So what if I took better macro shots with a phone from Oppo...?

Samsung takes the lead in the field of night shots - it simply takes them better than Reno, but the quality of wide-angle shots is closer. In the background blur competition - Samsung wins, but in the selfie clash - Oppo is the leader. In the case of movies - I like the clips recorded with Samsung more, but Oppo allows you to switch to a different lens without interrupting the recording.

Judging by the camera interface - I definitely prefer Samsung. It allows you to personalize the order of individual shooting modes, which is very important to me. In Oppo - we have everything "rigid", and in addition some functions - such as ultra night mode, pro stabilization or "Dazzling colour" - are too poorly exposed.

See sample photos

• See what photos Oppo Reno 3 takes
• See what photos the Samsung Galaxy A71 takes

See sample videos

Oppo Reno 3 - Sample videos video: GSMchoice.com via YouTube

Samsung Galaxy A71 - Sample videos video: GSMchoice.com via YouTube

Is it better to buy Oppo Reno 3 or Galaxy A71?

As I mentioned at the beginning, I used both smartphones for quite a long time during the tests - and with pleasure. And I can honestly recommend both. Whom, which? I recommend Oppo Reno 3 to buyers who prefer to have a phone with compact dimensions (although I will remind you - the differences do not strike!), as well as to lovers of smartphone photography - also a selfie. I also appreciate this model for its fast charging. I would recommend Galaxy A71 to lovers of larger screens, as well as music, night photography and filming. This model will also work better in the hands of players.

Both phones will be great as communication tools, both will offer great quality of daytime photos, both have high-end displays. Both are aesthetic and neat, have current versions of the system and batteries that allow you to work for an average of two days. Unfortunately, in both we can also find average multimedia speakers and screen fingerprint readers. None of them is waterproof, there is also no inductive charging, but we get 128 GB of memory for files, triple card slots and mini-jacks.

A lot of similarities, and what are the prices? Looking at the official price lists, Samsung Galaxy A71 is more expensive than Oppo Reno 3. However, when we look at sales websites or outside the leading electromarkets, the price difference slightly melts, although it still remains in favor of Oppo Reno 3. The problem is that the Chinese smartphone it is less accessible and less popular in these sales channels. Even so, I think it's worth taking the risk and giving a lesser-known player a chance. As you can see, the cheaper Chinese design is almost as good as the Samsung average.

Useful links:

• Visual comparison of the sizes of Samsung Galaxy A71 and Oppo Reno 3
• Compare Oppo Reno 3 and Samsung Galaxy A71 specifications

Videoreviews

Samsung Galaxy A71 - Videoreview video: GSMchoice.com via YouTube

Oppo Reno 3 - Videoreview video: GSMchoice.com via YouTube

Specifications of Oppo Reno 3 and Samsung Galaxy A71: