Are you looking for a powerful and stylish smartphone with a focus on camera capabilities and speedy performance? Then, the Oppo Reno 12 5G series might be the perfect choice for you.
OPPO launched its premium smartphone lineup in Kenya, the OPPO Reno 12 5G series, which includes the OPPO Reno 12 5G and the OPPO Reno 12 Pro 5G in August.
Marketed as “a suite of industry-leading GenAI features that are set to unlock new realms of productivity and creativity,” is designed to enhance daily life, we put the OPPO Reno 12 5G to the test to see if it lives up to those expectations.
The OPPO Reno 12 5G is available at a Recommended Retail Price of Ksh 69,99 through the OPPO Kenya Website.
The device has two colour options: Amber Orange and Olive Green. I have been using the Olive Green variant.
Design
OPPO upholds its tradition of crafting stylish and sleek devices with the OPPO Reno 12 5G. This model boasts meticulous attention to detail, the Cosmos Ring, is a perfect blend of classic design and modern sophistication.
The device’s back showcases a dual-tone design. About 75 per cent of the upper portion has a matte finish, while the lower section is glossy. These two areas are divided by a metallic border that displays Oppo’s branding. The triple camera setup is positioned at the top left in a vertical arrangement.
This phone features a speaker grille, USB Type-C port, and SIM card tray at the bottom. The power and volume buttons are on the right side, and an IR blaster is at the top. For added durability, OPPO has provided the device with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and has an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance.
Display
The OPPOo Reno 12 5G has a 6.7-inch Quad Curved FHD+ AMOLED display that supports a dynamic refresh rate of 120Hz. This screen provides a highly immersive viewing experience, boasting a resolution of 2412×1080 pixels and a pixel density of 394 PPI, ensuring clear visuals and detailed graphics. With a peak brightness of 1500 nits, the display performs well even in bright sunlight.
The sleek and lightweight design makes it comfortable to hold and use throughout the day.
Furthermore, the Oppo Reno 12 5G is compatible with HDR10 and HDR10+, which provides sharp contrasts and vivid colours, enhancing the multimedia experience.
The manufacturer has also added an Adaptive Tone feature to the display, which automatically modifies colour shades according to the surrounding lighting conditions.
Additionally, the Bedtime Mode adjusts the screen to warmer tones by reducing blue light during nighttime, helping to protect the eyes in low-light environments.
Camera
Capture stunning photos and videos with the phone’s versatile camera system.
This OPPO smartphone has a triple-camera system: a 50MP main lens, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x zoom capability, and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. For selfies, it boasts a 50MP front camera.
When it comes to photography, the primary camera delivers satisfactory performance in well-lit conditions, offering a balanced dynamic range and producing images that are almost natural and sharp.
During the low-light conditions, the primary camera offers good-quality pictures, reducing the noise to the best of its capabilities.
The ultra-wide camera, though slightly underwhelming, may produce images with minor distortion, making it more suitable for group photos.
On the other hand, the telephoto lens shines when capturing stunning portraits, becoming a standout feature of the camera system. While the clarity at 2x zoom is not exceptional, the images still exhibit more realistic colours and better saturation.
Regarding video capabilities, the Oppo Reno 12 5G supports 4K recording at 16fps and 1080p recording at both 30 and 60fps. However, the telephoto lens is limited to 1080p at 30fps. Notably, the selfie camera also allows 4K video recording. The phone includes an ultra-steady mode but is only functional when recording in 1080p with both the front and rear cameras.
The Oppo Reno 12 5G also features AI-driven image editing tools like Eraser 2.0, Smart Lasso, and the AI Clear Face tool. Impressively, the Smart Lasso tool performed exceptionally well, flawlessly removing unwanted objects from photos.
Another intriguing feature is AI-Studio, a dedicated app on the device that offers digital avatars based on pre-loaded themes. With this, your photos can be transformed by AI to match the chosen ambience.
Why I love the #OppoReno12Series AI capabilities. Value for money 💰
For more▶️▶️▶️ https://t.co/wZpsJzeWJr pic.twitter.com/5puXeWKp2w
— Vintage Baddie 🥷 (@David_Indeje) August 28, 2024
Performance and Software
OPPO’s premium smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, a robust chipset. Running on ColorOS 14, which is based on Android 14, the device delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks like listening to music and using social media apps without any lag.
App navigation is seamless, making it a reliable choice for daily use. Despite having several apps running in the background, the phone maintained solid performance.
During extended gaming sessions with BGMI, the phone experienced minor heating issues. The company recommends using the RAM expansion feature to help alleviate this by providing additional memory space for the device.
Regarding the interface, the device includes some pre-installed apps, like the Hot Games section, which we can choose to remove. Oppo also promises three years of software updates and four years of security patches for the device.
Oppo has enhanced the user experience by incorporating new AI features. One such feature is the Smart Sidebar, which intelligently recognizes on-screen content and provides relevant AI-powered tools.
Another notable addition is the AI Writer, part of the AI toolbox, which offers text suggestions for emails and social media captions on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. The feature performed adequately, with no significant issues to report.
Battery and charging
Never be caught with a low battery again. This smartphone houses a 5,000mAh battery. On average, day-to-day usage, the Oppo Reno 12 5G lasted almost an entire day. It supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, and I was able to charge the phone from zero to 100 per cent in less than a time of 45 minutes.
Verdict
Starting at Ksh 49,999, the Oppo Reno 12 Pro is a strong competitor in its segment. It delivers a crisp and immersive video experience, a sleek design, decent battery life, and a range of AI features, including enhancements to the camera.
The Oppo Reno 12 Pro 5G is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a compelling combination of features and performance. Its strengths include a stylish design, excellent display, capable cameras, and good battery life. While there are a few minor drawbacks, it’s a competitive option in its price range.
With its impressive camera system, powerful performance, and sleek design, the Oppo Reno 12 5G series is a compelling option for anyone seeking a feature-packed smartphone.
