First Look at the ‘World’s Thinnest’ Foldable: Oppo Find N5

Foldable phones have come a long way in recent years, evolving from niche tech experiments into mainstream devices with polished designs and top-tier performance. Now, Oppo is set to push the boundaries of this category once again with the upcoming Find N5, which is being touted as the world’s thinnest book-style foldable. With its official launch just days away, early hands-on impressions reveal a device that is impressively slim, refined, and potentially one of the most practical foldables yet.

A New Standard in Thinness

Oppo is careful in its wording when it claims the Find N5 is the thinnest foldable it specifically refers to “book-style” foldables, differentiating it from trifold designs like Huawei’s Mate XT. When closed, the Find N5 is remarkably thin, giving it a premium feel that immediately sets it apart from bulkier competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Holding the Find N5 feels almost surreal. The device is so slim that its USB-C port is barely separated from the phone’s exterior by what seems like a hair-thin strip of metal. It’s difficult to imagine foldable devices becoming much thinner than this without sacrificing key features. Yet despite its svelte design, the Find N5 doesn’t feel fragile. The build quality is solid, and it doesn’t flex or creak under pressure. While durability tests from tech reviewers like JerryRigEverything will ultimately determine just how sturdy it is, early impressions suggest that Oppo has managed to strike a remarkable balance between thinness and durability.

The Crease Is (Almost) Gone

One of the biggest challenges foldable phones face is the crease running down the middle of the display. Over the years, brands like Samsung and Huawei have worked to minimize this issue, and Oppo has made significant progress with the Find N5. The crease is still present, but it’s far less noticeable than in previous generations. It only becomes visible under specific lighting conditions and is almost imperceptible to the touch. This improvement brings Oppo one step closer to delivering a truly seamless foldable experience.

Design and Colors

The Find N5 will be available in classic black and white options, both of which look sleek and elegant. However, the most intriguing model appears to be a limited-edition purple variant with a vegan leather back unfortunately, this color option seems to be exclusive to the Chinese market. The vegan leather not only adds a unique aesthetic but also provides a more comfortable grip compared to traditional glass-backed phones.

Performance and Features

Under the hood, the Find N5 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, ensuring flagship-level performance. This makes it one of the most powerful foldable devices available, capable of handling multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease.

Oppo’s ColorOS skin for Android has consistently delivered one of the best software experiences on foldables, and the Find N5 is expected to continue this trend. The multitasking capabilities, floating window support, and optimized UI are designed to take full advantage of the foldable form factor, allowing users to maximize productivity.

Another notable aspect of the Find N5 is its impressive water resistance. It holds IPX6, IPX8, and IPX9 certifications, meaning it can withstand dust, splashes, and even full submersion in water. While foldable phones have traditionally struggled with waterproofing, Oppo appears to have made significant strides in this area.

Charging and Battery Life

The Find N5 supports both wired and wireless charging, a feature that isn’t always guaranteed in foldables. While battery size details are yet to be confirmed, Oppo’s past devices have featured strong battery optimization, so users can likely expect all-day battery life with fast charging speeds.

Will It Launch in the U.S.?

One lingering question is whether the Find N5 will make its way to the U.S. market. Oppo’s previous foldables have not officially launched in the U.S., but a rebranded version of the Find N3 was released as the OnePlus Open. Given that trend, it’s possible that a OnePlus-branded version of the Find N5 could eventually arrive in the States.

The Oppo Find N5 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting foldables yet. Its ultra-thin design, improved crease reduction, powerful chipset, and water resistance make it a strong contender in the foldable market. While the full details will be revealed on February 20, early impressions suggest that Oppo has created a device that pushes the boundaries of what a foldable phone can be.

As the foldable phone market continues to evolve, Oppo’s Find N5 sets a new standard for design and usability. With competitors like Samsung, Huawei, and Google also pushing the limits of foldable technology, 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for mobile innovation.