CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974AA), 2.3GHz, quad-core
GPU	Adreno 330
RAM	2GB
ROM	32GB (can be expanded to 128GB)
Display	5.5-inch display screen, 1920×1080, 403PPI, LTPS
Camera	16mp 206° motorized rotating camera, F/2.2aperture, dual-LED
Operating System	Color OS 2.0.1(Android 4.4.4)
SIM type	Dual: Micro SIM +Nano SIM (and TF card too but it’s either this or the Nano SIM)
Battery	3000mAh(fixed)
Connectivity	TD-LTE/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA/GSM/FDD-LTE
Dimensions and weight	77mm×161.2×8.7mm 192g
Special feature	Motorized rotating camera, fingerprint sensor, O-Click 2.0
Price	3999 RMB/652.70 USD (Goes on sale this month)

 

Appearance 

       The OPPO N3’s design is actually quite similar to the OPPO N1’s. Both have the classic black-on-white design. Among the new additions to the OPPO N3’s design though is the fingerprint sensor and the use of a chassis made of 7075 aluminium alloy, which are outstanding.

 

 

 

       Another difference in the design is the screen size. While the OPPO N1 sports a 5.9-inch display screen, the OPPO N3 sports a 5.5-inch display screen and has a very narrow frame. As a result, this phone is smaller than its predecessor, but is also easier to carry.

The most appealing thing about the OPPO N3 is its camera. Like the N1, the N3 sports a rotating camera, but this time it comes with a motor, the first cellphone in the industry to do so.   On top of it are also the receiver and a sensor. If you want to take a selfie, just turn the camera towards you with the motor.

 

 

 

       The microphone and a speaker are also located at the hollow underside of the phone.

 

 

 

       On the left side are the lock button and Micro SIM slot. There is also a nano SIM/memory card slot (up to 128GB) there. On the right side are the volume switch and a 3.5 earphone jack.

 

 

 

       The phone’s charging port is also at the bottom. This phone has support for VOOC charging technology. The package also comes with a VOOC mini charger. This charger has received well-deserved praise and it was a good idea for OPPO to use it.

 

 

 

       As for the camera, the OPPO N3 sports a 16mp motorized rotating camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It also has an f2.2 aperture and dual-LED sensor. It can rotate 206 degrees which many users should be happy about.

 

 

 

 

       Furthermore, the OPPO N1’s touch area was replaced with a fingerprint sensor which can be used to unlock the cellphone, encrypt files, etc. It can also be used to rotate the camera.

Display screen

        Although the OPPO N3 has a smaller display screen (5.5 inches) than the N1 (5.9 inches), it is still common among many phones and makes it easier to hold the phone. I would say it was a wise and reasonable decision for OPPO to do this. The N3 uses an LTPS display screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It has a pixel density of 403ppi and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. You can see the quality of the screen in the shots below:

      These images show how great the OPPO N3′s screen is. The colors and the pixelation are great. Users should not have any problem with it. 

Tear-down

Motorized rotating camera

Even though the camera has a motor, you can also rotate it with your hand.

If you want to use the camera, the first step is to turn it on. If you had the OPPO N1, just take out the camera with your hand like in the N1, and the camera interface will appear. When you exit the camera interface, the camera will automatically close.

Next just move your finger on the screen to adjust the angle. 

Pure Image Processor 2.0 

       One thing that helps the OPPO N3’s camera is OPPO’s in-house image processor, the “Pure Image 2.0” which can adjust the lighting and coloring in every environment so that the camera can take the best pictures.

You can install different kinds of camera features

When you swipe your finger upwards in the camera screen, you can see all types of camera modes that you can download and use.

Panorama shots

        You can take shots in panorama mode by having the camera in a fixed position. That way, you can take panorama shots without your hand shaking.

For the best panorama shots, you can even put the camera on a tripod. Here are shots taken using the OPPO N3′s camera:

Color OS 2.0.1 

OPPO has done some upgrades for its new in-house operating system, the Color OS 2.0.1. This is based on the Android 4.4.4. Its tabs, interface, etc. have all been redesigned to look better than before.

       At the launch, it was pointed out that you can use the O-Click accessory to take photos with the OPPO N3. The phone’s OS lets you synchronize it with the phone.

       The OPPO N3 comes with a fingerprint sensor which is located at on the upper part of the phone’s back. It can be used to unlock the phone or encrypt files. It is also very simple to put your fingerprints into the phone. Just press your finger on the sensor and it will record your fingerprints.

Snapdragon 800　

At the launch, OPPO did not mention a lot of things about the OPPO N3’s hardware. After all, its biggest feature is its camera. Nevertheless, the OPPO N3 has the kind of hardware that you would expect from a flagship phone. It uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974AA, 2.3GHz) quad-core processor. It also has the 450MHz Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM, and 32GB ROM (which can be expanded to 128GB with a micro SD card). Here are the benchmark scores:

Dalushi: 43611

AnTuTu 5.1.5: 38355

3D Mark: 15723

Vellamo: HTML5 (1972), Metal (1190)

Conclusion 

The OPPO N3, with its creatively designed motorized rotating camera and excellent appearance, has shown the best the cellphones today have to offer. It’s also one of the most expensive Chinese cellphones around. Still, considering its powerful specs, it should not be surprising that it is so expensive. Overall, it is an excellent phone that is worth considering.