OPPO Reno8 Pro review: everything is there, but the price … OPPO is now one of the most interesting protagonists of the smartphone scene, also and above all with the Reno series. OPPO Reno8 Pro is a really interesting terminal from many points of view, starting from the design, among the most particular in the panorama. There is only one problem. Let’s see which one.
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Aesthetics
Let’s start with the design. As anticipated, always net of personal tastes, it is probably one of the most particular terminals in the panorama. This is because it cleverly mixes curved and soft elements with other flat and angular ones. Taking it in hand, one immediately notices the angularity of the terminal, with squared shapes that actually recall those of an iPhone. Turning the terminal, however, an unexpected softness is found in the bump chamber. It certainly makes itself felt in the hand, not so much for the weight, which is still contained in 183 grams, but for the rather generous dimensions, due to a large 6.7-inch display. To be fair, considering this huge diagonal, it is smaller than one might expect, thanks to optimized bezels and flat edges.
In the hand there is immediately the sensation of an imposing terminal, usual and excellently assembled. Apparently rough on the front, it softens significantly on the rear side, with a bump camera that offers really soft and elegant curves. This is a rather bold choice, which makes this terminal aesthetically unique.
The structure of the metal terminal with rounded edges completes a truly original design, which overall we certainly consider among the most beautiful in the Android panorama. It must also be said that the company has also made a rather audacious choice in terms of colour: beyond the black version being tested, there is also a showy shade available on the market which the company calls Glazed Green, which we could describe as a glazed aqua green.
On the right side the terminal offers the classic power button, while the volume rocker is positioned on the opposite side. On the lower part USB-C port in tow, while the fingerprint sensor is positioned under the screen. We note the absence of any cover in the package. Too bad, the list price required at least greater caution from this point of view. Also because such a terminal is really hard to use without any protection.
Display
The panel on board this Reno 8 Pro offers a 6.7-inch diagonal, naturally with AMOLED technology. We are not at the levels of the top of the range OPPO Find X5 Pro, since it is not an LTPO 2 unit, but in any case the screen of this Reno 8 Pro returns absolutely vibrant colors and very deep blacks.
The panel allows you to select a refresh rate between 60 and 120Hz. There is no sort of automatic mode that adjusts the rate automatically, although the 120Hz mode appears to be adaptive, capable of slowing down to 90Hz, which is why here in many will certainly choose the higher refresh rate, to best benefit from the display, while still having an impact on the most important matter. The display is quite bright, with its 950 nits declared by the manufacturer. Not among the brightest, if you think of the top of the range for over 1000 euros, but it is still a fairly bright panel, which does not give any legibility problems, even in direct sunlight.
Overall we are dealing with a good panel, from any point of view, even with a high pixel density, equal to 394 ppi, on a resolution of 2412×1080.
Performance
The OPPO Reno8 Pro is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max processor, supported by 8GB RAM and 256GB onboard storage. If you look at the benchmark data, the terminal reaches single core scores that are comparable to a Snapdragon 870, while multi-core ones can even be compared to some terminals with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 on board. With these numbers, reactivity can only be particularly high and in everyday use the terminal does not really seem to show signs of fatigue. We are facing a sort of intermediate range between the top of the range and the mid-range. With this terminal OPPO has created a further buffer between the premium range and the medium range.
Everything is extremely fluid with OPPO Reno 8 Pro. From simply scrolling through menus to switching between apps. Even games of the caliber of CoD: Mobile run with optimal performance, which is why it is a truly complete terminal.
Technical features:
- Measurements and weight: Height about 161.2 mm, Width about 74.2 mm, Thickness about 7.34 mm;
- Weight: about 183g
- Memory: 8GB + 256GB
- RAM type: LPDDR5
- ROM Specs: UFS3.1
- Display: 6.7″
- Screen Ratio: 93.40%
- Resolution: FHD (2412×1080)
- Refresh Rate: Max 120Hz
- Touch sampling rate: 125Hz by default and 360Hz for game mode.
- Color Gamut: Vivid Mode 100% DCI P3, Gentle Mode 100% sRGB
- Color depth: 1.07 billion colors (8+2 bit)
- Pixel Density: 394 PPI
- Brightness: Normal: 500 nits, HBM 800 nits, Max Value 950 nits
- Panel: Flexible AMOLED display
- Glass protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Camera: Main Camera: Sony IMX766, 50MP, 1/1.56″; f/1.8; FOV: 86°; 7P lenses; AF supported; closed-loop focus motor, Ultra-wide-angle camera: f/2.2; FOV: 112°; 5P lens, Macro camera: f/2.4, FOV: 89°; 3P lenses; FF
- Front: Sony IMX709 32MP, 1/2.74″ sensor; f/2.4, FOV 90°, 5P lens, AF, open-loop focus motor
- Video Rear: 4K@30fps, 1080P@60fps/30fps, 720P@60fps/30fps, Video Stabilization: EIS, 1080P@30fps, 720P@30fps, 4K@30fps, Video zoom: 4K@30 fps, 1080P@60fps/30fps, 720P@60fps/30fps, Slow motion video: 1080P@120fps, 720P@240fps, 1080P@480fps, 720P@960fps, Video mode: 1080P@30fps, Time-lapse Video: 1080P@30fps, Dual View Video: 1080P@30fps
- Chips: MariSilicon X NPU
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 8100-MAX
- GPU: Arm Mali-G610 MC6
- Battery: 2 × 2185 mAh/16.99 Wh (Rated value), 2 × 2250 mAh/17.50 Wh (Typical value) Ultra-fast charging 80W SUPERVOOCTM, 65W SUPERVOOCTM,50W SUPERVOOCTM, VOOC, PD (9V/2A), QC (9V/2A )
Cameras
If you look at the camera department OPPO Reno8 Pro presents itself in the best way with its MariSilicon X imaging chip, previously reserved for premium terminals, such as the aforementioned Find X5 Pro. The processor, the company claims, is in the main ally for noise reduction and is able to provide a marked improvement in dynamic range when shooting 4K video in low light conditions or 4K HDR content.
Indeed, video quality comes across as good, offering vibrant colors, smooth frame rates when shooting at 60fps, and satisfying dynamic range. It should be noted, however, that at 4K resolution videos can have a maximum frame rate of 30fps, which represents a big step backwards compared to more modern terminals.
For its part, this Reno8 Pro offers a 50 MP primary sensor, assisted by OIS, flanked by an 8 MP ultrawide camera and the usual 2X macro sensor, which leaves much to be desired.
Shooting with the main sensor, photos generally look great, especially those in good lighting conditions. The photos always seem to have bright but well-balanced colors, and the image returns a sharpness that does not disappoint. Therefore, if you look at the primary sensor OPPO Reno8 Pro is a good terminal for taking pictures, but the secondary rooms are disappointing, well below expectations.
The 8 MP ultrawide sensor significantly increases the noise, but even worse it has totally different colors than the main camera. While the latter, in fact, offers saturated and lively colors, the ultra Wide tends to more washed-out shades. To forget, as happens in almost all devices, the 2 MP macro sensor, which offers shots with rather poor details.
ColorOS
ColorOS, unfortunately still in version 12 on this terminal, is really good, both in terms of performance and aesthetic customization. It also offers extra features for hands-free interface management, such as the ability to pause media playback, or scroll a page you are viewing. Unfortunately this function is limited to apps such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, but it is not possible to use it on the web browser, where it would have been particularly useful instead.
Autonomy and Recharge
The battery inside is 4500 mAh, not excessive, certainly to contain the weight. It is however a good compromise, because it manages to carry the terminal until the evening, even if with a not too reassuring residual percentage. In any case, the 80W fast charge support makes this terminal a chip in reaching 100%: just 45 minutes. There is no support for fast charging, and considering the introductory price it could be considered another not too justifiable lack.
Conclusions
OPPO Reno8 Pro is an excellent terminal. Aesthetically valid, among the most interesting in the Android landscape. The performance is good, comparable to a certainly high-end terminal, as is the main camera for daytime shots and video recording. We come, then, to what we didn’t like: the introductory price. OPPO Reno8 Pro is offered with a price list of 799 euros. This is certainly an important price range, which also competes with the last generation Apple iPhones.
It must be said that the market, probably thanks to the economic crisis and the restrictions from COVID, have led to a general increase in prices. The price is, therefore, the only complaint that it is possible to move to a terminal which lacks nothing and which certainly returns a solid user experience from all points of view.