Oppo A38
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until September 2026 · Buy-by September 2024
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the A38 should be supported until around September 2026. Buying it today still gets you about 0.2 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Oppo's official policy · last verified 2026-06-17 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
521% above the under-$300 median ($6.88/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
An entry-level phone built around battery life and durability rather than performance or cameras, with estimated support to 2026.
Pros
- Strong 5000mAh battery with 33W charging at a low price
- IP54 splash resistance, uncommon in this tier
- Receives security patches into roughly 2026
Cons
- HD+ display looks soft and basic
- Helio G85 is entry-level, with only a 5MP selfie and a token 2MP depth sensor
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.56-inch IPS LCD, HD+, 90Hz, ~720 nits |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 50MP — f/1.8, PDAF |
| depth | 2MP |
| front | 5MP — f/2.2 |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W SUPERVOOC wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 75 × 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 190 g |
| Materials | Polycarbonate frame and back |
| Water resistance | IP54 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 13 with ColorOS 13.1 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, USB-C 2.0, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 5, GPS, 3.5mm jack, microSDXC |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Oppo's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Oppo A38 a 5G phone?
No, the A38 is 4G LTE only. It targets the entry-level segment where 5G is typically dropped to hit a lower price.
How durable is the A38?
It carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, unusual at its price, helping it survive light rain and dust exposure.
What software does it run?
It ships with Android 13 and ColorOS 13.1. Oppo has not published a formal commitment, so expect roughly 2 OS upgrades and patches into late 2026.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-17.