Oppo Find N2 Flip: A Game-Changing Arrival in the Foldable Smartphone Arena

Oppo has historically overlooked the high-end sector of the Indian smartphone market. The Oppo Find X2 Pro (Initial impressions) was introduced in 2020, and there have been no new Find series devices until now. The Oppo Find N2 Flip made its worldwide launch in February, and merely a month later, Oppo has released it in India. The Find N2 Flip competes against the only other vertically folding smartphones in India, notably the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and its earlier models, which have remained unopposed until now.

The Find N2 Flip employs a similar approach as Samsung, incorporating comparable software functions as well. Its standout features include a significantly larger outer display, enhanced camera resolution, a bigger battery, and faster charging. Are these attributes sufficient to make it a preferable choice over its well-established competitor? Let’s delve deeper.

Price of Oppo Find N2 Flip in India

The Oppo Find N2 Flip is available in India in a single variant featuring 8GB of (LPDDR5) RAM and 256GB of (UFS 3.1) storage. This storage is not expandable as the SIM tray accommodates just two nano-SIM cards. Oppo has set the price of the Find N2 Flip at Rs. 89,999 (without any discounts or promotions), which happens to align perfectly with the cost of the entry-level variant of the Galaxy Z Flip 4.

Design of Oppo Find N2 Flip

If you’ve experienced any Samsung Galaxy Z Flip model, the Oppo Find N2 Flip will be quite recognizable. The device weighs 191g, and when folded, it is extraordinarily compact, easily fitting into most pockets. While it is thicker when closed than most smartphones, there is no noticeable gap between the two halves, and I rarely encountered any lint or dust making its way into the folding display during my few weeks of usage.

The Astral Black version that I tested appears quite sleek; the matte surface repels fingerprints and feels pleasing to the touch. The Moonlit Purple variant also stands out with its glossy finish, which I find appealing.

The Moonlit Purple finish of the Oppo Find N2 Flip presents a subtle yet attractive look

 

The aluminum frame is flat and showcases a polished finish, which tends to show smudges easily. The dual-SIM tray, USB Type-C port, and speaker are found on the lower section of the frame, while the upper part features cutouts for the secondary microphone. The Oppo Find N2 Flip integrates a fingerprint sensor within the power button, a convenient addition since facial recognition can struggle in very low light conditions.

Oppo is emphasizing its innovative Flexion hinge, designed to minimize the visibility of the crease on the folding display. We have yet to conduct a comprehensive side-by-side evaluation with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 to determine how much of an impact this makes. The crease remains apparent on the Find N2 Flip when viewed at an angle, and it can still be felt to the touch. The hinge has received a durability certification from TÜV Rheinland for exceeding 400,000 folding cycles, and it has been engineered to maintain its position at angles ranging between 45 and 110 degrees.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip is well-constructed and exudes a premium feel

 

The outer display is one of the most notable features of the Oppo Find N2 Flip. At a size of 3.26 inches, it holds the record for the largest outer display seen on a vertically folding smartphone thus far. This AMOLED display boasts a respectable resolution (720×382 pixels), a refresh rate of 60Hz, and can achieve up to 800 nits of peak brightness under direct sunlight. It also comes with a pre-installed screen protector. The generous size of this display allows for much more functionality without needing to unfold the phone.

You can preview most notifications, access essential quick toggles for Wi-Fi, Airplane mode, etc., and even utilize specific widgets for the camera, voice recorder, weather application, and more. There is also a quick reply option for specific apps like Slack, Telegram, and WhatsApp, but composing a custom message directly from the cover screen is not possible. For composing responses in other apps, such as Gmail, the device must be unfolded. I hope to see expanded app support in upcoming updates, perhaps even enabling voice composition, if a full keyboard is not feasible.

The inside display of the Oppo Find N2 Flip measures 6.8 inches when unfolded, with a full-HD+ (2520×1080 pixels) resolution, a peak refresh rate of 120Hz (ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz), a peak brightness of up to 1600 nits, and is covered with a layer of ultra-thin glass (UTG) for added durability. It supports usage in a half-folded state or at any angle within the defined range. Certain apps will automatically adjust to this configuration, which we will cover in the subsequent section.

The retail package of the Oppo Find N2 Flip includes a power adapter and a protective case

 

In contrast to its competitor, Oppo provides the Find N2 Flip with all necessary accessories, including an 80W power adapter and a hard-shell case.

Specifications and Software of Oppo Find N2 Flip

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC, the Oppo Find N2 Flip features a 4nm architecture similar to the Dimensity 9000 seen in the Vivo X80 (Review), but it offers a greater maximum CPU clock speed of 3.2GHz. The device is compatible with 17 5G bands in India and includes standard connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and support for a variety of satellite navigation systems.

It boasts a 4,300mAh battery with 44W SuperVOOC charging support, although wireless charging is notably absent. Additionally, the Find N2 Flip lacks any formal IP rating, although Oppo has claimed some basic moisture resistance.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip operates on ColorOS 13, which is based on Android 13. It is intended to receive four years of “major” software updates and five years of security updates. The user interface is similar to what we have seen on other recent Oppo devices, with specific enhancements tailored for the Flip model. The Settings app features a ‘Foldable feature’ option that allows customization of the cover screen. You can select from preloaded wallpapers, upload your image, or choose from five «interactive pets». Each pet comes with 15 distinctive animations or actions activated by tapping on them. This section also enables customization of the cover screen widgets and their arrangement, along with adding personal quick reply templates to the existing ones.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip offers versatile options for capturing images and videos

 

Oppo offers its version of Samsung’s Flex mode, dubbed FlexForm mode. This feature modifies the layout of selected apps to accommodate use in a semi-folded position. For example, YouTube automatically enlarges the video frame to fill the top half of the screen, moving comments and UI components to the lower half. The camera app rearranges the viewfinder to the upper half while placing controls below. You can even interchange these placements to better frame subjects at challenging angles.

Performance and Battery Life of Oppo Find N2 Flip

I utilized the Oppo Find N2 Flip as my main smartphone for about a week, and it delivered a highly enjoyable experience, primarily due to the practicality of the expansive cover screen. I was able to send quick replies to messages, view notifications, and access essential functions like toggle switches and the camera promptly, all without needing to open the device.

Nevertheless, the outer screen could be optimized further. The capability to draft responses (either by voice or typing) in more applications, especially Gmail, would be a significant advantage. Moreover, having turn-by-turn navigation in Google Maps or displaying results from Google Assistant on the cover screen would be incredibly beneficial. I hope Oppo enhances these functionalities through future updates.

While the SoC in the Oppo Find N2 Flip may represent MediaTek’s flagship tier, it does not quite match up to Qualcomm’s current top-tier processor in benchmark comparisons. The Find N2 Flip recorded 710,743 points in AnTuTu, along with 1,153 and 3,339 points in Geekbench 6’s single and multi-core tests, respectively. Comparatively, it falls short against the AnTuTu scores of phones utilizing even the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, which remains prevalent in new 2023 models.

In practice, these performance discrepancies may go unnoticed, as Android 13 runs seamlessly on the Find N2 Flip. Games such as Asphalt 9: Legends and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City performed well, exhibiting smooth framerates.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip provides extensive customization options for its interface and Always-on display

 

Video playback quality on the Find N2 Flip’s display is also impressive, supporting HDR10 in various applications such as Netflix. Due to the ultra-wide aspect ratio of the folding display, most videos will have black bars on either side. The stereo speakers provide a pleasant listening experience, and Dolby Atmos is consistently active when utilizing the speaker. The fingerprint sensor is quick to respond, and facial recognition works well in proper lighting conditions. The ultra-thin glass layer protecting the folding display appears fairly robust; pressing down with fingers did not reveal any flex, although it can dent if subjected to sharp objects or even fingernails.

I found the battery life of the Oppo Find N2 Flip to be more than satisfactory. Generally, it lasted over a day with around five and a half hours of screen-on time from main apps like Netflix, Slack, and WhatsApp. In our HD video loop test, the Find N2 Flip operated for 17 hours and 39 minutes until the battery was fully drained, which is impressive. The device supports a maximum charging rate of 44W SuperVOOC fast charging, although it is shipped with an 80W proprietary charger. After half an hour, I was able to recharge it to 54 percent, reaching 96 percent after an hour.

Cameras of Oppo Find N2 Flip

The cameras on the Oppo Find N2 Flip are enhanced by Oppo’s dedicated imaging chip known as MariSilicon X. Additionally, there is a collaboration with Hasselblad for color calibration in Pro mode. Similar to the OnePlus 11 5G (Review), it features special Master filters designed in collaboration with Hasselblad ambassadors, an XPan mode, and an orange shutter button. Being a flip phone, the Find N2 Flip allows for improved selfies while folded, enabling the use of the main rear camera and framing shots on the cover screen. Curiously, videos recorded through the cover screen widget are limited to 1080p, with no option to switch between resolutions.

The main rear camera is equipped with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor, similar to the OnePlus 11 5G. The ultra-wide camera has an 8-megapixel Sony IMX355 sensor but lacks autofocus, thus it cannot capture macro shots. There isn’t a telephoto lens, but digital zoom is available up to 20X. The selfie camera, incorporated into the folding display, features a 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 sensor, which is also found in the Oppo Reno 7 Pro. This camera does not have autofocus but does allow for 2X zoom.

Sample shot from the main camera of the Oppo Find N2 Flip (click to view full size)

Sample shot from the ultra-wide camera of the Oppo Find N2 Flip (click to view full size)

Sample shot from the main camera of the Oppo Find N2 Flip (click to view full size)

In well-lit conditions, the main camera of the Oppo Find N2 Flip produces good-quality images. Detail retention is satisfactory, dynamic range is acceptable, and close-up shots exhibit sharpness and clarity. Overall, the colors are quite precise. Conversely, the ultra-wide camera tends to struggle with detail, and the colors often appear muted.

Low-light pictures captured with the main camera are vibrant, exhibiting rich hues and favorable exposure, as the app automatically engages long-exposure shots. The details remain reasonable, even when zoomed in. The ultra-wide camera, however, fails to capture the color consistency and exposure levels of the main camera, resulting in merely acceptable photos, contingent on sufficient ambient light. In very dim settings, even Night mode falls short of producing satisfying results.

Sample shot from the main camera of the Oppo Find N2 Flip (click to view full size)

Sample shot from the ultra-wide camera of the Oppo Find N2 Flip (click to view full size)

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Selfie camera captures from the Oppo Find N2 Flip in daylight (left) and low light (right) (click to view full size)

 

The selfie camera performs adequately in bright lighting, and the portrait mode yields good results. Selfies taken in low light appear decent, but skin tones can be inconsistent.

Regarding video recording, the Oppo Find N2 Flip can capture footage at a resolution of up to 4K 30fps. In bright conditions, the video quality and stabilization are commendable. However, low-light videos tend to look overly processed, featuring diminished detail and some graininess. The ultra-wide camera can only record video at 1080p, akin to the selfie camera, but its performance is considerably subpar compared to the main camera both in daylight and in lower light settings.

Conclusion

The Oppo Find N2 Flip represents a commendable initial effort in the vertically folding phone market, posing significant competition to Samsung. The more functional outer display, quicker charging capabilities, and higher resolution main camera are key reasons to consider it over the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Furthermore, it provides more storage, as the 256GB variant of Samsung’s model is priced higher.

Nonetheless, I cannot overlook two substantial features missing from Oppo’s device: an official IP rating and wireless charging capability. The ultra-wide camera is somewhat disappointing, and I feel that the outer display has yet to be fully utilized. Still, the introduction of the Oppo Find N2 Flip in India signifies that consumers now have an alternative, which is always a positive outcome.

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