OPPO F27 5G Review: Impressive AI Features, But Is It Enough?

The OPPO F27 5G is the brand's official attempt to make Artificial Intelligence accessible to everyone at around Rs 20,000. The F27 5G introduces several AI-powered tools that were previously reserved for the high-end Reno series. In addition to its AI features, the OPPO F27 5G comes equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, a 120Hz AMOLED display, 45W fast charging, and more, all for a price of Rs 22,999. Read our review to find out if it’s worth the price.

OPPO F27 5G Review: Design and Display

The OPPO F27 5G is available in two colour variants: Amber Orange and Emerald Green. Our review unit came in the Amber Orange, featuring a striking white-to-orange gradient and wave textures. The design is certainly eye-catching, but if you prefer a more understated look, the Emerald Green version may be more to your liking.

One standout design feature is the rear camera module, encircled by Halo Lights, which glow during various actions such as charging, receiving calls, notifications, and even while gaming. The Halo Lights can be customised via the device’s settings.

In terms of ergonomics, the OPPO F27 5G is well-built, weighing 187g and boasting a slim profile at just 7.69mm thick. The phone is comfortable to hold and feels quite premium. It also carries an IP64 rating, providing limited protection against dust and water splashes.

The 6.67-inch AMOLED display offers excellent colour reproduction and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. OPPO claims the screen achieves a peak brightness of 2,100 nits, and while we couldn’t verify the exact numbers, we found the display more than sufficient even under bright sunlight. Watching content on streaming platforms like Disney+ Hotstar and YouTube was an enjoyable experience, further enhanced by the dual-stereo speakers, which provide decent audio output.

The display is equipped with a Splash Touch feature, enabling you to use the phone with wet hands. Additionally, the device supports Widevine L1 certification, ensuring HD content playback on OTT platforms. Another useful feature is the ability to assign specific apps to run at different refresh rates, optimising performance and battery life.

OPPO F27 5G Review: Performance, AI, and Software

Under the hood, the OPPO F27 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The device handles day-to-day tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and camera usage smoothly, without any noticeable lag. However, extended periods of usage, especially while gaming, cause the device to heat up. We noticed this when playing BGMI for around 30 minutes.

In benchmark tests, the OPPO F27 5G scored 784 on single-core and 1,954 on multi-core in Geekbench. While these are decent numbers, several competitors in this price range, like the iQOO Z9, offer superior performance.

The phone runs Android 14-based ColorOS 14.0.1, which brings with it plenty of customisation options but also some pre-installed bloatware such as Hot Apps and Hot Games, which can lead to unnecessary notifications. One of the key selling points of the OPPO F27 5G is its AI suite, including features like AI Eraser, AI LinkBoost, BeaconLink, and AI Summary. While some of these tools, such as AI LinkBoost, are useful, others, like the AI Eraser and AI Summary, still feel underdeveloped, often struggling with object removal and content summarisation.

The AI Studio feature, pre-installed on the device, enhances portrait shots, turning them into something more professional with just a few taps.

OPPO F27 5G Review: Camera Samples

The OPPO F27 5G features a dual-camera setup at the back, with a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, while a 32MP front camera handles selfies and video calls. The choice of a 2MP sensor instead of an ultra-wide lens is disappointing, particularly at this price point, where competitors offer more versatile camera systems.

In well-lit environments, the 50MP sensor performs admirably, capturing sharp, detailed images. However, it struggles with dynamic range, particularly in low-light conditions where noise becomes more noticeable. The portrait mode is hit or miss—while background blur is generally effective, edge detection can be inconsistent.

The 32MP front camera produces social media-ready selfies with good clarity, but it tends to overexpose skin tones, especially in low-light situations, where noise becomes more prevalent.

For video, the OPPO F27 5G supports up to 1080p at 60fps on the rear camera and 1080p at 30fps on the front.

OPPO F27 5G Review: Battery and Charging

The OPPO F27 5G is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, which comfortably lasts a full day with moderate usage, including social media, video streaming, and casual gaming. The 45W fast charger included in the box charges the device from 0 to 100% in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, which is competitive for its class.

OPPO F27 5G Review: Verdict

The OPPO F27 5G has its pros and cons. Priced at Rs 22,999, it offers a beautiful display, good battery life with fast charging, decent selfies, and a range of AI features. However, its performance and camera are two areas where the device falls short compared to its competitors. For better performance in these aspects, you might want to consider the iQOO Z9 or the POCO X6 Pro 5G.