Foldable smartphones are real-world transformers—you get the portability of a regular slab phone for everyday tasks, but when you need more screen real estate, the tablet-sized inner display is right there. In theory, foldables are the best of both worlds. In practice, many struggle with bulk, awkwardly sized front displays, and durability concerns. I have considered the OnePlus Open the best foldable for the US market since 2023. With OnePlus skipping a new foldable release again this year, it only makes sense to turn to its sibling company, OPPO, and its latest foldable, the OPPO Find N5.
At first glance, the OPPO Find N5 feels like what we might have expected if OnePlus had continued its foldable lineup. It refines the formula with a thinner design, better water resistance, and a more polished software experience. But does it truly deliver? After spending a week with it, I can say that this is one of the most exciting foldables yet.
A Shared Legacy: OPPO and OnePlus Foldables
OPPO and OnePlus share the same parent company, BBK Electronics, and both brands operate under the same research and development division. This means that while their branding may differ, their technological advancements and design philosophies are closely intertwined. OPPO pioneered its foldable lineup with the Find N series, starting with the Find N in late 2021 and followed by the Find N2 in 2022.
In 2023, when OnePlus introduced its first foldable, the OnePlus Open, in the US, it was essentially the same device as the OPPO Find N3, which launched globally in other smartphone markets.
This shared development strategy allowed OnePlus to introduce a highly refined foldable to the US market in 2023 while OPPO continued to establish its Find N series internationally.
However, in 2024, both OPPO and OnePlus have seemingly opted not to release a new tablet-style foldable, leaving a noticeable gap in the market. With no OnePlus-branded foldable expected this year, the OPPO Find N5 emerges as an even more compelling option for those looking for the best combination of features, performance, and durability in a foldable smartphone.
A Foldable That Feels Like a Regular Phone
Most foldable smartphones are essentially the thickness of two stacked slab phones when closed. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 measures 0.53″ thick when folded, which can feel bulky in a pocket. The Google Pixel Fold is slightly thinner at 0.41″, but both are still noticeably thicker than traditional slab smartphones.
By comparison, flagship slab phones such as the iPhone 16 measure 0.31″ thick, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 comes in at 0.28″. Moving into flagship models, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 0.32 inches thick, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra measures 0.36″, and the non-vegan leather-wrapped OnePlus 13 is 0.33″.
This added bulk makes some foldables feel cumbersome and awkward in everyday use, especially when slipping them into a pocket or trying to operate them with one hand.
The OPPO Find N5, at just 0.35″ (8.93mm) when closed, is significantly slimmer than most foldables and only slightly thicker than some flagship slab phones, making it one of the most pocket-friendly foldables yet.
When unfolded, the OPPO Find N5 measures just 0.17″ (4.21mm) at its thinnest point, allowing for a streamlined and immersive experience, whether used as a phone or a tablet.
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- OPPO Find N5 closed
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- OPPO Find N5 opened
The outer display has been thoughtfully designed to be fully functional, spacious, and practical for everyday use. The OPPO Find N5 features a 6.62″ OLED outer display that eliminates the need to unfold the phone just to browse, text, or use apps comfortably.
The display refreshes at 120Hz with LTPO technology, ensuring smooth scrolling while dynamically adjusting to conserve battery. With an outdoor brightness of 1600 nits and a peak brightness of 2450 nits, the screen remains easy to read even in bright sunlight.
For those times when a larger screen is required, the 8.12″ OLED inner display unfolds to deliver a tablet-like experience. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, making it an excellent choice for watching movies, gaming, or multitasking.
The nearly invisible crease enhances the experience, reducing visual interruptions when swiping or reading.
Built to Handle Real-World Mishaps
Durability is one of the biggest concerns with foldables, but OPPO has taken a major leap forward. The Find N5 is the first foldable to feature IPX8 and IPX9 water resistance, making it far more durable than most foldables on the market.
IPX8 certification means the phone can survive full submersion in water, so an accidental drop into a pool, sink, or bathtub won’t be a disaster. IPX9 certification, which is typically reserved for industrial-grade equipment, ensures that the Find N5 can endure high-temperature, high-pressure water, such as being exposed to a torrential downpour or a high-powered car wash.
To reinforce its durability, OPPO has implemented a titanium flexion hinge, which is 36% more rigid and 26% smaller than previous generations. The aerospace-grade titanium alloy hinge provides excellent durability without unnecessary bulk.
Thanks to an ultra-thin stainless steel layer, the inner screen is also 70 percent more shock-resistant, making it far less prone to damage from accidental drops.
While you probably won’t be intentionally blasting your OPPO Find N5 with water, it’s reassuring that it can handle real-life mishaps far better than most foldable devices on the market.
Power and Performance
The OPPO Find N5 is the first foldable powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, featuring the Oryon 7-core CPU and Adreno 830 GPU for top-tier performance. Whether gaming, streaming, or multitasking with multiple apps, the Find N5 is built to handle it all without slowing down. With 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, the phone delivers fast app launches, smooth multitasking, and ample storage space.
Battery life, another common concern for foldables, is addressed with a 5,600mAh battery, which OPPO claims is nearly 30 percent larger than competing models. This results in all-day battery life without constantly searching for a charger.
When recharging is necessary, the OPPO Find N5 supports 80W wired charging, which can take the battery from zero to 100 percent in under 50 minutes.
The phone also supports 50W wireless charging and works perfectly with upright MagSafe chargers as long as you use a MagSafe-compatible case.
A Camera System for Photographers and Creators
Foldable phones often compromise on camera performance, but OPPO isn’t cutting corners here. The Hasselblad-tuned camera system includes a 50-megapixel main camera with a Sony LYT-700 sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 116-degree field of view. Both the outer and inner displays feature 8-megapixel selfie cameras with an f/2.4 aperture.
AI-enhanced zoom ensures clear shots even at long distances, while OPPO’s Lightning Snap mode makes capturing fast-moving subjects easier without blur. For video lovers, 4K Dolby Vision recording at 60 frames per second delivers cinematic-quality footage, with four onboard microphones providing immersive audio.
Examples of Photos Taken with the OPPO Find N5
The Big Picture
The OPPO Find N5 proves that foldables can be both practical and powerful. It tackles common pain points—bulk, durability, and usability—while delivering a sleek design, impressive water resistance, and a refined hinge.
The camera setup is top-notch, performance is lightning-fast, and the outer display is actually useful, making it feel more like a true smartphone and less like a compromise. While it’s not officially US carrier-approved, VoLTE compatibility means many users can still enjoy it.Overall, the Find N5 pushes foldables closer to the mainstream, showing that they’re not just futuristic gadgets—they’re ready for everyday life.
If you’re in Singapore, you can preorder the OPPO Find N5 directly from OPPO. Once it is widely available, it will likely be for sale in many of the usual re-seller sites, including eBay.
