Oppo Reno8 5G : In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, finding the perfect balance between features, performance, and price can be a daunting task.
Enter the Oppo Reno8 5G, a device that aims to bridge the gap between mid-range affordability and premium experiences.
With its sleek design, powerful internals, and advanced camera system, the Reno8 5G has been turning heads since its release.
Let’s dive deep into what makes this phone tick and see if it lives up to the hype.
Oppo Reno8 5G Design and Build: Elegance Meets Durability
The moment you lay eyes on the Oppo Reno8 5G, you’ll notice its premium aesthetics.
Oppo has clearly taken design cues from higher-end devices, resulting in a phone that looks and feels more expensive than its price tag suggests.
The phone boasts a slim profile, measuring just 7.67mm in thickness, and weighs a comfortable 179 grams.
This makes it easy to hold and use one-handed, a refreshing change in an era of increasingly bulky devices.
The back panel features a unique “Oppo Glow” design, which creates a shimmering effect as light plays across its surface.
It’s available in two striking colors: Shimmer Gold and Shimmer Black.
One of the standout design elements is the camera module. Instead of a protruding bump, Oppo has opted for a seamlessly integrated camera island that gently slopes up from the back panel.
This not only looks sleek but also helps prevent the phone from rocking when placed on a flat surface.
The front of the device is dominated by a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with minimal bezels and a small punch-hole camera in the top-left corner.
The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering decent protection against scratches and minor drops.
While the back panel is made of plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap. In fact, the use of plastic contributes to the phone’s lightweight nature and provides better grip compared to glass backs.
The frame, however, is made of aluminum, adding a touch of premium feel and structural integrity.
Oppo Reno8 5G Display: A Visual Treat
The Reno8 5G’s 6.4-inch AMOLED display is a joy to behold. With a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+) and a pixel density of 409 PPI, content looks sharp and crisp.
The panel supports a 90Hz refresh rate, striking a good balance between smoothness and battery efficiency.
While it’s not the 120Hz found on some competitors, the difference is barely noticeable in day-to-day use, and the trade-off in battery life is worth it.
Color reproduction is excellent, with vibrant hues and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology.
The display supports 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and is HDR10+ certified, ensuring an immersive experience when watching compatible content.
With a peak brightness of 800 nits, the screen remains legible even under direct sunlight.
The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, adding to the overall premium feel of the device.
Oppo has also included an “O1 Ultra Vision Engine” which uses AI to enhance visual quality and motion compensation, resulting in smoother video playback.
Oppo Reno8 5G Performance: Punching Above Its Weight
At the heart of the Oppo Reno8 5G lies the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset.
This octa-core processor is built on a 6nm process and features one ultra Cortex-A78 core clocked at 3GHz, three Cortex-A78 performance cores at 2.6GHz, and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 2GHz.
Paired with the Mali-G77 MC9 GPU, this setup delivers impressive performance for a mid-range device.
The phone comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
While the storage isn’t expandable, 128GB should be sufficient for most users.
Oppo has also implemented a RAM expansion feature, allowing you to utilize up to 5GB of storage as virtual RAM, potentially boosting multitasking capabilities.
In real-world usage, the Reno8 5G handles everyday tasks with ease.
Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and even demanding games run well at medium to high settings.
While it may not match the raw power of flagship devices, it’s more than capable of satisfying the needs of most users.
The phone’s 5G capabilities are a significant selling point, future-proofing the device as 5G networks continue to expand globally. Wi-Fi 6 support ensures fast and stable connections on compatible networks.
Oppo Reno8 5G Camera System: Versatility and Innovation
Oppo has always placed a strong emphasis on camera performance, and the Reno8 5G is no exception. The phone features a triple camera setup on the rear:
Main Camera: 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor (f/1.8 aperture)
Ultra-wide Camera: 8MP (f/2.2 aperture, 112° field of view)
Macro Camera: 2MP (f/2.4 aperture)
The star of the show is undoubtedly the 50MP main camera. The Sony IMX766 sensor is the same one found in some flagship devices, and it shows in the image quality.
Photos taken with the main camera are detailed, with good dynamic range and accurate colors. Low-light performance is particularly impressive, thanks to the large sensor size and Oppo’s night mode algorithm.
The ultra-wide camera, while not as high-resolution as the main sensor, still produces good results. It’s particularly useful for landscape shots or when trying to fit more into the frame.
The 2MP macro camera, however, feels more like a spec sheet filler and doesn’t add much value to the overall camera experience.
On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera that captures detailed self-portraits. Oppo’s AI beautification features are present but thankfully not overly aggressive by default.
Video capabilities are solid, with the main camera able to shoot up to 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps.
Electronic image stabilization (EIS) helps keep footage steady, though it’s not quite as effective as optical image stabilization found on higher-end devices.
Oppo has included several innovative camera features, such as AI-enhanced portrait mode, multi-video mode (which allows you to record from both front and rear cameras simultaneously), and a pro mode for those who want more control over their shots.
Oppo Reno8 5G Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power with a Turbo Boost
The Oppo Reno8 5G is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, which may not sound massive on paper, but thanks to efficient hardware and software optimizations, it easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use.
Where the Reno8 5G really shines is in its charging capabilities.
The phone supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, which can juice up the battery from 0 to 50% in just 11 minutes, and a full charge takes only about 28 minutes.
This is incredibly convenient for those times when you need a quick top-up before heading out.
While wireless charging is absent, the blazing-fast wired charging more than makes up for it.
The included 80W charger in the box is a nice touch, especially when many manufacturers are omitting chargers altogether.
Oppo Reno8 5G Software: ColorOS 12.1 – Feature-Rich but Divisive
The Reno8 5G runs on ColorOS 12.1, based on Android 12. Oppo’s custom skin has come a long way in recent years, offering a feature-rich experience that some users love for its customization options, while others prefer a more stock Android approach.
ColorOS 12.1 includes several useful features such as:
Flexible Always-On Display customization
Air Gestures for hands-free control
Multi-screen connect for seamless device integration
Game Space for optimized gaming performance
Private Safe for secure file storage
While the software is packed with features, it does come with some pre-installed apps that some users might consider bloatware. Fortunately, most of these can be uninstalled or disabled.
Oppo has committed to providing two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches for the Reno8 5G, which is decent but not class-leading in terms of long-term software support.
Oppo Reno8 5G Audio: Decent, but Room for Improvement
The Reno8 5G features a single bottom-firing speaker that gets reasonably loud and produces clear audio.
However, the lack of stereo speakers is noticeable, especially when watching videos or playing games in landscape mode.
There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly common in the mid-range segment.
However, the phone does support high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX HD and LDAC for wireless audio enthusiasts.
Oppo Reno8 5G Value Proposition: A Competitive Mid-Range Option
Priced competitively in the mid-range segment, the Oppo Reno8 5G offers a compelling package for those looking for a balance of style, performance, and camera capabilities.
Its main competitors include devices like the OnePlus Nord 2T, Realme GT Neo 3, and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G.
The Reno8 5G stands out with its premium design, excellent main camera, and incredibly fast charging.
However, it faces stiff competition in terms of display (with some rivals offering 120Hz), stereo speakers, and long-term software support.
Oppo Reno8 5G Conclusion: A Solid Choice with a Few Compromises
The Oppo Reno8 5G is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight in several areas.
Its sleek design, capable main camera, strong performance, and lightning-fast charging make it an attractive option for many users.
However, it’s not without its compromises. The lack of stereo speakers, absence of wireless charging, and the somewhat bloated software experience might be deal-breakers for some.
Additionally, while the 90Hz display is good, it may disappoint those looking for the smoothest possible experience.
Ultimately, the Oppo Reno8 5G represents a solid choice for those who prioritize design, camera performance, and fast charging in a mid-range package.
It successfully bridges the gap between affordable and premium, offering a taste of high-end features without breaking the bank.
If you’re in the market for a stylish, capable smartphone that won’t cost a fortune, the Oppo Reno8 5G deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Just be sure to weigh its strengths against its weaknesses and consider how they align with your personal preferences and needs.