Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G Review: Great and reliable but lacks the WOW factor

With the launch of every new smartphone under the Reno series, Oppo has kept on increasing the price of the phone, promising to provide exceptional performance (especially with the cameras!). The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G is the latest addition to the list with a price tag of Rs. 45,999. Using it as my primary phone for a couple of weeks now, it can be said that the Reno 8 Pro has a lot to offer other than the cameras at the given rate. Though, there are areas where Oppo could have improved too! How far does the Oppo Reno 8 Pro tick the checkboxes right at the price range it is being offered at? Read the full review here to find it out.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Design

Design is something Oppo has been very particular and innovative about. Especially in recent times with its Oppo Reno 7 series, F21 series, and now with the Reno 8 Pro 5G. The latest version comes with a minimal and classy look, easily grabbing your attention. Though perceived as a mid-range segment phone, holding it in your hand imparts a premium feel. Similar to the Find X5 Pro launched in the international market, the Reno 8 Pro gets a glass back cover that gradually fuses into the standalone camera bump.

The cameras are paired with the Ring Flash on the rear which only enhances the beauty of the phone. The Reno 8 Pro is comfortable, easy to hold and carry due to its lightweight (183 g). It is also thin (7.34 mm) and gets a boxy look. However, the back panel attracts smudges and finger impressions. And, the phone lacks the overall visual drama its predecessor had. Still a pretty phone nonetheless.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Display

The Reno 8 Pro 5G gets a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with slim bezels and a refresh rate of 120Hz (Max). Oppo finally goes to a 120hz panel and the differences are immediately noticeable. The display is smooth and it feels flawless while scrolling. The AMOLED display allows for great colors and contrasts, while the sunlight legibility only adds to overall great viewing experience. Even the bezels are minimal — almost the same levels as the Galaxy S22. All-in-all, a very good display is present here.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Performance

Available only in one variant of 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, the Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G gets power from the MediaTek Dimensity 8100-MAX 5G SoC. Also, with the presence of ColorOS12.1 on top of Android 12, the phone manages to handle every task with ease without showing any sign of lag. However, with the price tag the Reno 8 Pro comes attached with, seeing preloaded apps and bloatware was a huge disappointment. You may also get annoyed with the unnecessary notifications pushed by the browser app. It is high time that Oppo starts offering a distinct experience for its premium customers with a sorted out Android experience. Maybe it can draw a leaf out of Nothing’s book.

From playing heavy games like Asphalt 9 or normal ones like Temple Run, Subway Surfers, among others, or just simple binge-watching, surfing the internet, or handling social media platforms, the Oppo Reno 8 Pro handles it all without any lag — that was never in doubt with the mighty Dimensity 8100 at the helm. Also, even after long gaming sessions or using the phone continuously for a couple of hours, the phone does not heat up. The stereo speakers offer great volume, allowing for a loud and clear aural experience to make your binge-watching and gaming sessions enjoyable.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Cameras

Powered by Oppo’s MariSilicon X Imaging NPU and Dual Sony Flagship Sensors (IMX766 & IMX709), the Reno 8 Pro 5G promises a great photography experience. The phone comes with a triple rear camera system, featuring a 50MP main camera, 8MP wide-angle camera, and 2MP macro camera. At the front, you get a 32MP selfie camera along with Sony IMX709 RGBW Sensor.

The images clicked in the daylight with the main camera are satisfactory, showing every minute detail, and the colours captured were true to life. The front camera performance was also decent, however, the pictures seemed over exposed and enhanced. While coming to night photography, the photos looked amazing. The MariSilicon X chip does help with better HDR and detail gathering at night.

The wide-angle and macro lens also captured fairly decent pictures although they are no match for the main camera’s output. The videos shot both in the daylight and at night also looked impressive. You can check the camera samples here for a better understanding.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Battery

The Reno 8 Pro 5G is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery and gets the support of the 80W SUPERVOOC charger. The phone can easily survive a day with your regular phone stuff, which in my case involved audio and video calls, social media browsing, emails, and occasional gaming. While coming to the charging capabilities, the company claims the phone can charge 50 percent of the battery in 11 minutes. And to my surprise, the phone did charge FAST! It took around half an hour to charge to 100 percent from 10. That’s commendable and gives the Reno 8 Pro a huge advantage over the slow 25W chargers from Samsung. And YES, you get that 80W charger in the box. Bravo Oppo!

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Verdict

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G is a smartphone that ticks almost all the boxes right. Right from a classy and premium design to a great display, good camera performance, and respectable battery life, this phone does all the basics well. However, bloatware infested ColorOS 12 experience leaves a foul taste for someone seeking a high-end experience. And it is right to demand that considering the premium you pay for this one. The OS and its user interface make or break the experience on Android, and Oppo needs to do something for its high-end Reno phones.

Then there’s the lack of that “Wow” factor. In an age where a new brand like Nothing can spice up a relatively sedate midrange phone with a transparent design and some fancy lights on its back, the Reno 8 Pro sticks to the same tried-and-tested formula. If you want something staid, why not check out the Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) or the Samsung Galaxy A73, among others?

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro is then a good and reliable phone that plays it safe with regards to everything. There is nothing wrong with that, and Oppo may find thousands of buyers with this formula. But the Reno 8 Pro is simply not as exciting as its predecessors have been, despite being a much nicer phone touse. Come on Oppo, excite us with the next one.

Design is something Oppo has been very particular and innovative about. Especially in recent times with its Oppo Reno 7 series, F21 series, and now with the Reno 8 Pro 5G. The latest version comes with a minimal and classy look, easily grabbing your attention. Though perceived as a mid-range segment phone, holding it in your hand imparts a premium feel. Similar to the Find X5 Pro launched in the international market, the Reno 8 Pro gets a glass back cover that gradually fuses into the standalone camera bump.

The cameras are paired with the Ring Flash on the rear which only enhances the beauty of the phone. The Reno 8 Pro is comfortable, easy to hold and carry due to its lightweight (183 g). It is also thin (7.34 mm) and gets a boxy look. However, the back panel attracts smudges and finger impressions. And, the phone lacks the overall visual drama its predecessor had. Still a pretty phone nonetheless.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Display

The Reno 8 Pro 5G gets a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with slim bezels and a refresh rate of 120Hz (Max). Oppo finally goes to a 120hz panel and the differences are immediately noticeable. The display is smooth and it feels flawless while scrolling. The AMOLED display allows for great colors and contrasts, while the sunlight legibility only adds to overall great viewing experience. Even the bezels are minimal — almost the same levels as the Galaxy S22. All-in-all, a very good display is present here.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Performance

Available only in one variant of 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, the Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G gets power from the MediaTek Dimensity 8100-MAX 5G SoC. Also, with the presence of ColorOS12.1 on top of Android 12, the phone manages to handle every task with ease without showing any sign of lag. However, with the price tag the Reno 8 Pro comes attached with, seeing preloaded apps and bloatware was a huge disappointment. You may also get annoyed with the unnecessary notifications pushed by the browser app. It is high time that Oppo starts offering a distinct experience for its premium customers with a sorted out Android experience. Maybe it can draw a leaf out of Nothing’s book.

From playing heavy games like Asphalt 9 or normal ones like Temple Run, Subway Surfers, among others, or just simple binge-watching, surfing the internet, or handling social media platforms, the Oppo Reno 8 Pro handles it all without any lag — that was never in doubt with the mighty Dimensity 8100 at the helm. Also, even after long gaming sessions or using the phone continuously for a couple of hours, the phone does not heat up. The stereo speakers offer great volume, allowing for a loud and clear aural experience to make your binge-watching and gaming sessions enjoyable.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Cameras

Powered by Oppo’s MariSilicon X Imaging NPU and Dual Sony Flagship Sensors (IMX766 & IMX709), the Reno 8 Pro 5G promises a great photography experience. The phone comes with a triple rear camera system, featuring a 50MP main camera, 8MP wide-angle camera, and 2MP macro camera. At the front, you get a 32MP selfie camera along with Sony IMX709 RGBW Sensor.

The images clicked in the daylight with the main camera are satisfactory, showing every minute detail, and the colours captured were true to life. The front camera performance was also decent, however, the pictures seemed over exposed and enhanced. While coming to night photography, the photos looked amazing. The MariSilicon X chip does help with better HDR and detail gathering at night.

The wide-angle and macro lens also captured fairly decent pictures although they are no match for the main camera’s output. The videos shot both in the daylight and at night also looked impressive. You can check the camera samples here for a better understanding.

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Battery

The Reno 8 Pro 5G is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery and gets the support of the 80W SUPERVOOC charger. The phone can easily survive a day with your regular phone stuff, which in my case involved audio and video calls, social media browsing, emails, and occasional gaming. While coming to the charging capabilities, the company claims the phone can charge 50 percent of the battery in 11 minutes. And to my surprise, the phone did charge FAST! It took around half an hour to charge to 100 percent from 10. That’s commendable and gives the Reno 8 Pro a huge advantage over the slow 25W chargers from Samsung. And YES, you get that 80W charger in the box. Bravo Oppo!

Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G: Verdict

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G is a smartphone that ticks almost all the boxes right. Right from a classy and premium design to a great display, good camera performance, and respectable battery life, this phone does all the basics well. However, bloatware infested ColorOS 12 experience leaves a foul taste for someone seeking a high-end experience. And it is right to demand that considering the premium you pay for this one. The OS and its user interface make or break the experience on Android, and Oppo needs to do something for its high-end Reno phones.

Then there’s the lack of that “Wow” factor. In an age where a new brand like Nothing can spice up a relatively sedate midrange phone with a transparent design and some fancy lights on its back, the Reno 8 Pro sticks to the same tried-and-tested formula. If you want something staid, why not check out the Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) or the Samsung Galaxy A73, among others?

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro is then a good and reliable phone that plays it safe with regards to everything. There is nothing wrong with that, and Oppo may find thousands of buyers with this formula. But the Reno 8 Pro is simply not as exciting as its predecessors have been, despite being a much nicer phone touse. Come on Oppo, excite us with the next one.