Explore the OPPO F Series: Innovations from F1 to F21

OPPO F Series: F1 to F21

The OPPO F Series is a line of mid-range Android smartphones developed and marketed by OPPO Electronics, launched between 2015 (F1) and 2022 (F21 Pro). Positioned as the “Selfie Expert” lineup, it targets young consumers, social media enthusiasts, and entry-to-mid-range users with a focus on front camera innovation, sleek design, and user-friendly features. Spanning multiple generations, the F Series evolved from basic selfie-focused devices to feature-rich mid-range models with AMOLED displays, fast charging, and 5G connectivity, bridging the gap between OPPO’s budget A Series and flagship Find Series.

Core Generations & Key Positioning (F1–F21)

Model	Launch Year	Key Market	Core Selling Points
OPPO F1	2015	Global (Emerging Markets)	8MP front camera, slim metal body, budget-friendly selfie focus
OPPO F3	2017	Asia, Europe	Dual front cameras (16MP + 8MP wide-angle), 5.5-inch FHD display
OPPO F5	2017	Global	20MP AI-enhanced front camera, 6-inch FHD+ display, face unlock
OPPO F7	2018	Global	25MP AI beauty front camera, 6.23-inch FHD+ notch display
OPPO F9	2018	Global	25MP front camera, 6.3-inch waterdrop notch, VOOC 3.0 fast charging
OPPO F11	2019	Global	48MP rear camera, pop-up front camera (full-screen design), VOOC 3.0
OPPO F15	2020	Global	48MP quad rear cameras, 6.4-inch AMOLED, 25W fast charging
OPPO F17	2020	Global	Ultra-thin (7.43mm) design, 48MP quad cameras, 30W VOOC
OPPO F19	2021	Global	6.43-inch AMOLED, 48MP rear camera, 5000mAh battery, 33W VOOC
OPPO F21 Pro	2022	Global	64MP triple rear cameras, 32MP front camera, 6.43-inch AMOLED, 5G

Key Hardware Evolution (Generational Highlights)

1. Design & Display

The F Series’ design evolved in step with smartphone industry trends:

F1 (2015): 5.0-inch HD LCD, metal unibody (139g), compact and lightweight for its era.
F3/F5 (2017): 5.5–6.0-inch FHD LCD, slim bezels, and a focus on grip-friendly dimensions.
F7/F9 (2018): Introduced notch/waterdrop displays (6.23–6.3 inches FHD+), reducing bezels for better screen-to-body ratio.
F11 (2019): Flagship-level pop-up front camera, enabling a true full-screen 6.53-inch FHD+ LCD with 90.9% screen-to-body ratio.
F15–F21 Pro (2020–2022): Shifted to AMOLED displays (6.4–6.43 inches FHD+), offering vibrant colors, in-screen fingerprint sensors, and slimmer builds (e.g., F17 at 7.43mm thick).

2. Camera System (Selfie-First Innovation)

The F Series’ core identity was built on front camera upgrades:

F1 (2015): 8MP front camera with basic beauty mode (industry-leading for budget devices at the time).
F3 (2017): Dual front cameras (16MP main + 8MP wide-angle), a breakthrough for group selfies and landscape self-portraits.
F5/F7 (2017–2018): Upped the ante to 20MP/25MP AI beauty front cameras, with AI algorithms for skin tone optimization, blemish reduction, and face shaping.
F11 (2019): Pop-up 16MP front camera (hidden when not in use) paired with a 48MP rear main sensor (a first for the F Series).
F21 Pro (2022): 32MP front camera with AI portrait retouching and 64MP rear main sensor, supporting 4K video recording.

Rear cameras also evolved from single 13MP sensors (F1) to quad-camera setups (F15/F17) with ultra-wide, depth, and macro lenses for versatile shooting.

3. Performance & Battery

Processors: Evolved from entry-level MediaTek MT6750 (F1) to mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 662/680 (F19/F21 Pro), supporting smooth daily use and light gaming.
Battery & Charging:
- F1–F7: 2500–3400mAh batteries with standard 5V/2A charging (slow by modern standards).
- F9 (2018): First F Series model with VOOC 3.0 fast charging (20W), filling a 3500mAh battery in ~1.5 hours.
- F17–F21 Pro: Upgraded to 30W/33W VOOC charging, paired with 5000mAh batteries for all-day use (e.g., F19 delivers 12+ hours of screen-on time).
Memory: Started with 2GB RAM/16GB storage (F1) and scaled to 8GB RAM/256GB storage (F21 Pro) for multitasking and media storage.

4. Connectivity & Software

Connectivity: F1–F19 were 4G LTE devices; the F21 Pro (2022) marked the F Series’ first 5G-enabled model, supporting SA/NSA 5G bands for faster data speeds.
Software: All models ran OPPO’s ColorOS (based on Android):
- F1: ColorOS 2.1 (Android 5.1 Lollipop).
- F21 Pro: ColorOS 12.1 (Android 12), with AI features like Smart Sidebar, Game Space, and privacy protection tools.

Core User Experience & Target Audience

The F Series was consistently marketed to young users aged 18–30 who prioritize selfies, social media sharing, and stylish design over flagship-level performance. Key user experience highlights included:

AI Beauty Mode: Tailored selfie filters, skin smoothing, and face shaping algorithms optimized for diverse skin tones.
Fast Charging: OPPO’s VOOC technology was a key differentiator in the mid-range segment, solving “low battery anxiety” for daily users.
Sleek Design: Thin bodies, gradient color options (e.g., F17’s Starry Purple, F21 Pro’s Sunset Orange), and lightweight builds for comfortable one-handed use.

Advantages & Limitations of the F Series

Advantages	Limitations
Industry-leading selfie cameras for their price tiers	Mid-range processors not suitable for heavy gaming (e.g., Genshin Impact)
Sleek, lightweight designs with trendy color options	Early models (F1–F7) lacked fast charging and large batteries
OPPO’s reliable ColorOS with user-friendly features	Limited software support (most models received 1–2 major Android updates)
Competitive pricing (affordable mid-range segment)	Lower durability ratings (no IP67/IP68 waterproofing; plastic bodies for early models)
5G support on the final F21 Pro model	No wireless charging across the entire series

Legacy & Market Impact

The OPPO F Series was a commercial success in emerging markets (India, Southeast Asia, Africa), where its selfie-focused marketing and affordable pricing resonated with young consumers. It established OPPO as a leader in mid-range smartphone photography and paved the way for the brand’s expansion into global markets. After the F21 Pro (2022), OPPO phased out the F Series and integrated its core features into the Reno Series, which now serves as the brand’s primary mid-range lineup.