Spectacular and distinctive productiveness options
Maintains stylus assist, in contrast to rivals
Cons
Laborious to return by in most markets
Thermal efficiency issues
Battery life might be higher
Our Verdict
Regardless of fresh-faced competitors, the Oppo Discover N5 doesn’t actually lose its edge, providing a richer foldable expertise general, with battery life and world availability being its most notable shortcomings. It could have scored increased if solely it had been extra available.
Value When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Greatest Pricing At the moment
Value When Reviewed
Unavailable within the US
Greatest Costs At the moment: Oppo Discover N5
A hearth has seemingly been lit inside Oppo in 2025; simply check out its present smartphone lineup. You’ll see examples of boundary-pushing {hardware} and among the most full productiveness and AI-powered options within the cellular area, throughout its portfolio.
It’s foldables, nonetheless, the place Oppo’s ambition has actually been made manifest, with what seems to be set to be top-of-the-line telephones of 2025. The Oppo Discover N5 builds on the corporate’s already-strong basis within the foldable area, however demonstrates unrivalled engineering prowess, with an industry-leading design that, despite its skinny profile, homes one of the crucial full flagship-tier spec sheets in its class. To not point out, it comes full with boundary-pushing software program enhancements that rivals will unquestionably ape within the close to future.
However for all of the reward I can heap on what’s arguably the most effective foldable available in the market proper now, the ‘market’ in query isn’t fairly as we first anticipated, and that’s a small tragedy, at the very least in the meanwhile.
Evaluating the Discover N5 within the context of newer rivals from Honor and Samsung provides a further layer of depth to the expertise. Whereas each the Magic V5 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 haven’t but hit retailer cabinets internationally (on the time of writing), realizing what they create to the desk – and lack – in comparison with the Discover N5, higher clarifies simply how succesful and progressive Oppo’s new foldable is.
Design & Construct
World’s thinnest “book-style” foldable at launch
Bodily three-stage alert slider
229 grams
When the Discover N5 formally broke cowl again in February, its declare to fame got here with one small caveat. Oppo was eager to tout the cellphone’s wafer-thin waistline – 8.93mm when folded and solely 4.21mm when unfolded.
That was thinner than any of its then-rivals (Galaxy Z Fold 6: 5.6mm, Pixel 9 Professional Fold: 5.1mm, Honor Magic V3: 4.35mm) save for one: the unique Huawei Mate XT tri-fold, which at its thinnest measures solely 3.6mm. With this in thoughts, you’ll be able to see why Oppo specified “ebook type”.
After all, because the firm threw down the gauntlet, two main rivals have subsequently emerged. The Honor Magic V5 – out there in China as of 15 July and deliberate for a global launch in late August – got down to steal the Discover N5’s title of “world’s thinnest”, with the V5’s physique supposedly measuring 0.1mm thinner than the Discover N5’s svelte silhouette.
Per week after Honor’s announcement, Samsung then dropped the hotly anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 7. Whereas by no means instantly claiming to be the “world’s thinnest”, first and third-party impressions place it fairly near the mark (Samsung additionally cites a thickness of 4.2mm when open).
Within the case of the Magic V5, the measurements Honor’s printed relate particularly to the Ivory White mannequin, whereas its different colourways are literally 0.1mm thicker. No producer accounts for the digital camera bump of their measurements both, however having all three foldables handy, I also can affirm that, for those who issue that in, the Honor is the thickest and Oppo’s entry is definitely the thinnest.
As for Samsung’s new entry, the corporate’s means to slim the Z Fold 7 down by a seemingly outlandish 25% was made attainable by merely nixing the digitizer altogether, which suggests no extra S Pen stylus assist. what the Discover N5 helps regardless of being lower than 0.1mm thicker? A stylus.
It’s clear that whichever means you slice it, the Oppo Discover N5 is an simple engineering achievement, beating these main gamers to the punch on foldable thinness in 2025, in fact, however in different methods too.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Hair-splitting out of the way in which, it’s additionally reassuringly resilient. Not solely attributable to its top-of-the-line IPX6, IPX8 and IPX9 water resistance, however due to its titanium alloy-reinforced hinge, which in keeping with Oppo has been examined to 100,000 folds in temperature extremes as excessive as 50°C and as little as -20°C.
To essentially hammer the purpose residence, once I first noticed the N5 in particular person, Oppo representatives had unfolded one flat between two tables, looped a strap round it an hooked up a 20kg kettlebell beneath; the Discover N5 bowed however didn’t break, and extra importantly remained absolutely purposeful throughout and after its ordeal; one of many extra head-turning tech demos of my profession.
It’s the primary foldable I’ve used that actually seems to be and appears like a traditional smartphone when not unfolded
For all of the stats that come hooked up to the Discover N5’s spectacular kind issue, dealing with it in particular person is one thing else. Switching from a Mous case-clad Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, a closed Discover N5 appears like a breath of contemporary air that – even when sporting the in-box case – remains to be thinner throughout the physique, by comparability. It’s the primary foldable I’ve used that actually seems to be and appears like a traditional smartphone when not unfolded; boasting the proportions to match.
At 229g, it’s not the lightest entry on the market, however nonetheless pleasingly succesful for prolonged intervals; even throughout one-handed use. For context, it clocks in at solely two grams heavier than your run of the mill iPhone 16 Professional Max.
End-wise, Oppo affords up the Discover N5 in most markets in both Misty White or Cosmic Black (pictured), with the previous that includes a fake patina much like the ‘Moonlight White’ Honor MagicPad 2 from 2024. I believe it really cheapens the look of what’s, an clearly premium product, so I’d recommend going for the subtle and understated Cosmic Black model.
That’s, until you’re in markets like China, the place there’s the third possibility: the head-turning Nightfall Purple, which I believe is essentially the most fascinating and attractive possibility of the three.
Display & Audio system
6.62-inch 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED outer show
8.21-inch 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED primary show
Improved affect and puncture safety on each screens
Oppo Pen stylus assist
The primary purpose for proudly owning a foldable is that all-important folding show, and the Discover N5’s is the most important of the bunch, at a whopping 8.12-inches (evaluate that to the Vivo X Fold 5 at 8.03 inches, the Z Fold 7 at 8 inches, and the Magic V5 at 7.95 inches).
It additionally tussles with the Vivo for the sharpest panel amidst the present crop of book-style foldables, at round 412ppi (pixels per inch).
It’s, the truth is, one the most effective takes on app multitasking on foldables round, and an expertise that no rival has completed a very good job of rivalling up to now, up to now.
As for leaping between the 2 screens, an open app on the 6.62-inch outer display will probably be available on the principle show the second you open the Discover N5 up. When closing it again down, nonetheless, you’re prompted to swipe up on the exterior panel to renew no matter app you’re utilizing, which could sound tedious, however really proves unobtrusive and prudent, primarily based on real-world use.
It’s one the most effective takes on app multitasking on foldables round, and an expertise that no rival has completed a very good job of rivalling
To go in hand with the cellphone’s aluminium body and IP-rated safety, Oppo has additionally added a brand new anti-shock layer to the principle folding show, which the corporate claims makes the panel 70% stronger towards impacts than earlier Discover-series foldables. Months of use, at this level, have but to yield any noticeable put on and tear both (past mud gathering on the edges of the non-removable display protector), so I’d say the corporate’s sturdiness efforts are paying off.
Whichever of the cellphone’s screens you’re utilizing, you’re served crisp, vibrant, brilliant visuals, with a responsive 120Hz refresh fee, and a peak brightness of 2100 nits on the principle display (2450 nits on the outer display), plus a decent panel-wide brightness max of 1400 nits (1600 on the outer display), making the N5 an amazing possibility to be used outside and when having fun with HDR content material.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Premium show options, like fine-grain management over the color area the UI operates in, eye consolation (for simpler viewing in low mild) and Adaptive Tone (to regulate white stability relative to your surrounds) are all welcome inclusions too.
Regardless of the restrictive thinness, the Discover N5’s loudspeakers provide spectacular readability and minimal distortion all through their vary, going decently loud with a balanced sound, though extra bass would all the time be good, even when physics may now permit on this explicit scenario.
In China, Oppo serves the N5 with both 12GB of (LPDDR5X) RAM and 256GB of (UFS 4.0) storage, 16GB of RAM paired to 512GB of storage, or a 1TB mannequin which additionally boasts satellite tv for pc communication assist. Internationally, nonetheless, you’ll discover solely that center variant, which I believe delivers greater than sufficient for the common app-loving multitasker.
It’s glorious at on a regular basis duties, particularly when multitasking on that expansive primary show
Though the Discover N5 makes use of the chip of alternative for 2025 Android flagships – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite – it sports activities a relatively unusual 7-core variant (against the usual 8-core model). This was one in every of my greatest issues earlier than getting my arms on the N5; primarily due to the truth that foldables like these demand among the highest value tags in the marketplace, falling right into a class the place you anticipate the most effective of the most effective, whatever the want for it.
Oppo’s choice right here was in all probability fuelled by thermal issues, with the 7-core model possible creating much less warmth at full tilt than its full-fat sibling.
In apply, you’re unlikely to search out fault with the Discover N5’s efficiency. It’s glorious at on a regular basis duties, particularly when multitasking on that expansive primary show, whereas demanding video games, like Infinity Nikki, default to Extremely/Excessive graphical settings.
I’ll say that after 20 minutes of play time, the Discover N5 did really feel fairly heat within the hand, with the occasional dropped body through the sport’s cutscenes, regardless of a constant expertise when really in gameplay.
It’s artificial benchmarking the place that lacking core turns into obvious, which is to say, the cellphone can preserve tempo with different 8-core 8 Elite-powered telephones – just like the Honor Magic 7 Professional, OnePlus 13 and, in fact, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – in the actual world, even when the likes of Geekbench 6 place its multi-core scores at between 4% and eight% decrease, going by numbers alone.
Oppo additionally consists of its Trinity Engine tech on its units, with efficiency, RAM and storage optimisation algorithms. That’s along with different efficiency administration options like Gaming Instruments, which incorporates graphic customisation choices co-developed with Qualcomm for a higher-fidelity gaming expertise that you just received’t discover on choose rivals.
Cameras
50Mp primary, 8Mp ultrawide and 50Mp 3x telephoto sensors
8Mp selfie digital camera (on internal and outer screens)
Imaging tuning courtesy of Hasselblad
Though we by no means obtained the OnePlus Open 2 many had hoped for, the Oppo Discover N5 offers us the most effective concept of what that cellphone might need been like, and one of the crucial stunning generational modifications has been to the digital camera setup.
The place the unique OnePlus Open (and equal Oppo Discover N3) led with a big 1/1.4-inch 50Mp Sony LYT-808 sensor, the Discover N5 really opts for bodily smaller and extra modest imaging {hardware} (led by the 1/1.56-inch Sony LYT-700).
Nevertheless, in side-by-side comparisons, the corporate’s HyperTone Picture Engine does some heavier lifting this technology, with a purpose to produce visually superior pictures, with sharper, brighter and extra vivid presentation.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
You’re buying and selling a level of optical authenticity for extra manufactured however extra pleasing outcomes general, so so long as you’re comfy with the trade-off, the smaller sensors on the Discover N5 nonetheless ship in on a regular basis capturing circumstances.
Add within the 3x periscopic telephoto sensor (Samsung’s ISOCELL JN5, for those who’re questioning) and an 8Mp ultrawide – full with autofocus, and the Discover N5 options an impressively versatile digital camera setup, with telemacro capturing from as shut as 10cm from a topic, as much as 120x on the cellphone’s most zoom vary.
The Discover N5 options an impressively versatile digital camera setup
The N5’s digital camera system additionally advantages from among the Oppo Discover X8 Professional‘s digital camera methods. AI Telescope zoom helps upscale these long-range pictures (past 10x) successfully, and LightningSnap permits for quicker seize (combining an ultra-short publicity to freeze movement, and a protracted publicity for color and distinction data), for the primary time on one of many firm’s foldables.
Digital camera samples spotlight the cellphone’s strong element retention at increased focal lengths and principally correct however barely punched-up color science. I used to be additionally significantly impressed with the Discover N5’s means to take care of high-contrast low-light capturing.
Nevertheless, work on constant distinction and publicity administration throughout the cellphone’s varied focal lengths wouldn’t damage – it’d allow a extra constant capturing expertise.
Battery Life & Charging
5600mAh (Si-C) battery
80W wired + 50W wi-fi charging
100% cost in <50 minutes (primarily based on testing)
Probably the most spectacular points of the Discover N5’s slim design is that it nonetheless permits for a capacious 5600mAh battery capability.
Regardless of solely measuring 2.1mm thick, the cells inside every half of the Discover N5 possible serve up such a excessive capability because of utilizing second-gen silicon carbon (Si-C) battery tech. We’ve seen this from the likes of Oppo and OnePlus earlier than, and it permits for higher power density.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Evaluate that to the similarly-sized Z Fold 7, which depends on older Li-ion (lithium ion) expertise as an alternative, that means its 4400mAh battery works out to greater than 20% lowered capability in comparison with the N5’s.
After all, despite that giant cell, book-style foldables just like the Discover N5 mainly serve up the equal of three screens by way of show floor space, which suggests much more pixels to energy.
Variation in battery longevity can also be extra unpredictable, as some individuals may dwell their cellular life on that 8-inch primary show, whereas others will solely change to the bigger display for streaming video.
I lived with the Discover N5 for months and tried to stability my utilization between the 2 screens as a lot as attainable. Though others have reported screen-on time figures upwards of 8 hours, I constantly achieved round 5 and a half. It’s lower than I anticipated, however because the Discover N5 boasts the biggest display in its class, I’m not too stunned.
For context, 5 hours normally equates to a day of normal use, that means the Discover N5 will possible want day by day charging. That mentioned, there’s a caveat which lies within the cellphone’s battery benchmark outcomes.
Oppo’s newest foldable fortunately fees as quickly as ever
Testing utilizing that primary show, the Discover N5 did an outstanding job in PCMark’s Battery 3.0 evaluation, with a rating of 13:58 (nearly similar to that of a traditional sweet bar flagship – the Xiaomi 15 Extremely). And if solely utilizing that smaller 6.62-inch outer display, it reached over 19 hours.
For those who nonetheless have battery nervousness issues, Oppo’s newest foldable fortunately fees as quickly as ever, with 80W SuperVOOC wired charging (in addition to assist for as much as 50W wi-fi charging).
Utilizing the included charger, I used to be in a position to attain 50% cost in round 20 minutes and a full cost in 49 (simply shy of Oppo’s personal declare of 47 minutes). Evaluate that to Samsung’s latest entry, with its extra underwhelming wired speeds passing 50% in half-hour and hitting 100% at “nicely over an hour”.
Take a look at our rundown of the most effective battery life telephones for extra.
Whereas Honor and Samsung have been in a position to out-engineer some points of the Discover N5’s {hardware}, I nonetheless suppose it has the sting in relation to software program that absolutely leverages the distinctive advantages of those telephones’ foldable kind issue.
When manufacturers discuss ecosystem, they concentrate on seamless interoperability between their very own merchandise, techniques and companies; Oppo is enjoying issues in a different way, taking a path that’s way more open and useful to the tip consumer.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Not solely was the corporate among the many first to bake in a local Android-to-iOS file switch system, however it has additionally since expanded that have into O+ Join. The latter works with a desktop Mac or PC consumer to permit for wealthy file administration, together with AirDrop-level comfort, plus a full distant management function, letting you entry and work together together with your machine from afar.
Offered you’re pleased with granting the desktop O+ Join consumer pretty deep entry to your private machine, you need to use the Discover N5 like a small laptop computer in its personal proper, with the decrease half of the display permitting for trackpad-like interplay and room for multi-finger gestures. Whereas Samsung’s DeX expertise emulates a desktop-like PC on the go, Oppo’s O+ Join feels rather a lot nearer to the actual factor.
Oppo additionally boasts among the most sensible and helpful implementations of AI on a smartphone proper now
Past the plain and distinctive productiveness advantages such a function holds over the Discover N5’s rivals, as touched on earlier than, the expansive multitasking of Open Canvas can also be the most effective round in relation to managing a number of apps and home windows.
The cellphone’s ColorOS 15 expertise (atop Android 15) is in any other case a pleasantly succesful and customisable spin on Android, with a studying curve for a few of its extra distinctive attributes, and a bit of bloat within the type of duplicate apps to a lot of Google’s pre-loaded choices.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
I additionally suppose Oppo – and by extension OnePlus’ OxygenOS – additionally boast among the most sensible and helpful implementations of AI on a smartphone proper now, with a dynamic toolset that surfaces options (from translation to display studying) from the cellphone’s admittedly Samsung-like Sensible Sidebar, relying on what you’re doing.
The OS additionally notices if you pair sure apps in split-screen view and auto-suggests if you may prefer to create a one-touch shortcut to open them up facet by facet in future; all good, considerate inclusions that present Oppo’s improvement workforce is specializing in options that profit the consumer at the beginning.
When it comes to software program updates, Oppo is providing 4 years of main OS updates and 6 years of safety patches. It’s a strong dedication, although nicely behind the seven years of each that Samsung is providing on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Value & Availability
If it isn’t clear by now, I’ve been left impressed by the Oppo Discover N5, and despite brisker competitors, I’d advocate it right away…if just for one fairly main flaw.
Regardless of preliminary intentions by the corporate to deliver the Discover N5 to most markets internationally, it seemingly walked again the cellphone’s rollout following its February debut in Indonesia on the final minute, massively hampering its means to compete in markets the place its key rivals play.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Whereas US customers haven’t ever actually been in a position to stroll right into a retailer and seize an Oppo cellphone, throughout the southern border, the Discover N5 is accessible in Mexico, and shifting eastwards, it’s offered within the UAE. Past that, nonetheless, availability stays confined to Asian markets, like Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The UK and the whole lot of Europe – areas the place Oppo does usually promote a few of its greatest units – miss out on the Discover N5 fully, leaving the door open for its aforementioned competitors to stroll proper in, and that’s an actual disgrace.
As for value, the cellphone launched at SGD$2499 (roughly £1400/$2000/€1700) for a similar 512GB mannequin as reviewed right here, on par with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. In some areas – together with Singapore – that value has since fallen to SGD$2099 (£1200/$1600/€1400), however it’s nonetheless among the many most costly telephones round, which isn’t too stunning, contemplating what’s on provide.
Must you purchase the Oppo Discover N5?
For those who’re fortunate sufficient to dwell in one of many markets the place the Discover N5 is offered, and also you’re after a brand new book-style foldable, sure.
The Oppo holds sufficient key benefits over its fresher-faced rivals that I’d argue it’s the most effective of the bunch, although we’re but to check the worldwide variant of the Honor Magic V5.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
It affords extra performance (together with stylus assist) and quicker charging than the Z Fold 7, whereas ColorOS has confirmed to be a extra elegant, approachable and succesful expertise than Honor’s MagicOS. Honor might need the Discover N5 beat from a numbers perspective when wanting on the {hardware} on provide, however I believe the Discover N5 may be the nicer entry to dwell with.
If the Discover N5 isn’t available, I’d say that, despite its greatness, the hoops to import one and guarantee all of its performance is accessible to you might be possible too quite a few to beat, particularly when two similar-capable options will probably be broadly out there in lots of markets with out caveats.
Specs
ColorOS 15 atop Android 15 (at launch)
6.62-inch 20.7:9 1-120Hz 2616 x 1140 LTPO AMOLED outer show protected by Nanocrystal Glass
8.21-inch 9.9:9 1-120Hz 2480 x 2248 LTPO AMOLED primary show
At a look
