The Oppo R9s is a far better phone than it deserves to be.This mid-priced handset doesn't feel mid-range in any sense. It's a slim, attractive unit with a better than expected camera, and a lightning-fast fingerprint reader, all for under $600.

The handset is wafer thin, with a screen that stretches right up to the edges of the phone. The body is glass and aluminium, giving a premium experience – similarly priced phones tend to be bulky, plastic slabs.

Oppo's flavour of Android is called ColorOS. While built upon Android, the look and feel is pure IOS. Everything from Messages to Settings to the Camera app mimics the iPhone down to the pixel. Still, the phone is always quick and responsive, despite the heavy skinning.

The battery is outstanding. The Oppo R9s lasts two full days of heavy use, and when the energy reserves are getting low, you can use the included VOOC fast recharge adaptor to add a few hours extra in just a few minutes. It is the best fast-charging technology in the business.

The most surprising addition to this mid-range phone is the excellent cameras, both front and back. The Oppo R9s rear-facing model  is built around a Sony lens. In most conditions, the camera shoots images as good as phones twice its price. The only time it seemed to struggle was when taking shots of fast moving objects: the autofocus just can't keep up. The front-facing selfie-cam is a little too heavy-handed in applying its beauty mode, but you can turn down the effect in the settings.

If price is your main concern when purchasing a smartphone, the Oppo R9s is probably the best bang for buck on the market today.