The OPPO Reno12 5G is a mid-range smartphone with some high-end features, including a 120Hz AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and a powerful camera system. Let’s take a closer look at each aspect of the phone to see if it lives up to the hype.
OPPO Reno12 5G specs:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch 3D Curved AMOLED, 2412 x 1080 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, 1200 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR4X (up to +12GB RAM Extension) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB UFS 3.1 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Sony LYT600 PDAF OIS main, 8MP Ultra Wide, 2MP macro |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 80W SUPERVOOC |
| Weight | 177 grams |
More of our Unboxing and design and construction insights from our First Look story.
Design and Construction
The Reno12 5G boasts a beautiful design with a curved AMOLED display that seamlessly blends into a glossy plastic back. The phone comes in three color options: Astro Silver, Sunset Pink, and Matte Brown. While the glossy finish looks attractive and catches the light beautifully, it’s also a fingerprint magnet.
For users who prioritize a pristine look, frequent cleaning will likely be necessary. On the other hand, the Matte Brown option might be a better choice for those who prefer a less flashy, fingerprint-resistant aesthetic.
The phone is lightweight at 177 grams and feels comfortable to hold in one hand. The curved edges contribute to this comfortable grip. However, the plastic back does feel less premium than a glass back found on some higher-end phones. Despite the material choice, the Reno12 5G is built to withstand the elements, thanks to an IP65 water and dust resistance rating. This means the phone can survive splashes, light rain, and even accidental dips in shallow water.
Display and Audio
The star of the show here is the 6.7-inch 3D Curved AMOLED display. The visuals are stunning, with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel smooth and responsive, whether you’re scrolling through social media, browsing the web, or gaming. The display gets plenty bright at 1200 nits, making it easy to see even in direct sunlight. This is a great display for users who consume a lot of multimedia content or gamers who crave a seamless visual experience.
The dual stereo speakers deliver good sound quality. The audio is clear and loud enough for casual gaming, watching videos, or listening to music on the go. While it won’t replace a dedicated speaker or high-end headphones, the audio quality is perfectly adequate for most everyday uses.
Camera
The Reno12 5G’s camera system is versatile, with a triple-lens rear setup and a high-resolution front-facing camera. The main sensor is a 50MP Sony LYT600 with PDAF and OIS. In good lighting conditions, this sensor takes sharp and detailed photos with accurate colors. The 8MP ultrawide sensor is good for capturing wider landscapes or group shots, but the level of detail and sharpness falls short of the main sensor. The 2MP macro sensor feels like more of an afterthought and isn’t particularly useful for most users.
The 32MP front camera captures good selfies with plenty of detail for social media sharing or video calls. However, low-light performance is a weakness for both the front and rear cameras. Photos taken in low-light conditions can be noisy and lack detail. While the phone offers a night mode to improve low-light photography, the results are mixed. The same can be said with videos taken with the phone. Here are some samples:
Overall, the camera system is good for everyday use, We’ve noticed more AI post-processing optimizations now happening after you take the photo which further enhances your captured moments.
Performance
The OPPO Reno12 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, paired with 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM. This combination provides smooth performance for most tasks. The phone can handle multitasking with ease and can run even demanding games without any stuttering or lag. The phone comes with ColorOS 14.1 based on Android 14. ColorOS is a feature-rich user interface that offers a good amount of customization options. While it may not be the most stock Android experience, it’s generally user-friendly and offers a variety of features to enhance the user experience.
On the connectivity front, the Reno12 5G is well-equipped for the future. It supports 5G connectivity, which means you can experience super-fast download and upload speeds if you have a compatible 5G network. Other connectivity options include WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC for contactless payments and data sharing.
Battery Life
The Reno12 5G packs a large 5,000mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life. You can easily get through a full day of use on a single charge, even with moderate usage. Heavy use can get you to up to 20 hours on a single charge.
What I really appreciate with the battery is that the software is so attuned to keeping the app management at bay when on standby. The phone kills apps and even connectivity when the screen is turned off for prolonged periods of time, hence the surge of notifications as you wake it.
For power users who tend to drain their battery quickly, the 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging technology is a lifesaver. With this technology, you can quickly top up the battery in a short amount of time. In just 30 minutes, you can charge the phone from 0% to nearly 65%, according to OPPO. True enough, our full charge is around almost an hour as the charging trickles down after the 50% mark has achieved.
The Rundown: Who is this phone for?
The OPPO Reno12 5G is a good option for users looking for a stylish and feature-packed mid-range phone with a great display, long battery life, and fast charging. The phone is powerful enough to handle most everyday tasks, and the camera system is versatile for everyday use. However, low-light camera performance is a weakness to consider.
Gamers will appreciate the smooth performance and responsive 120Hz display. Casual photographers will find the main camera sensor to be more than adequate for capturing everyday moments. Users who prioritize long battery life and fast charging will also be impressed with what the Reno12 5G offers.
