Oppo Reno 12 Pro Introduction
Oppo’s Reno series is a bit unconventional. These phones often offer upper-range performance but place a significant emphasis on camera quality and features. Serving as an experimental platform, the series always brings something new. This time, Oppo is launching its latest AI features with the Oppo Reno 12 and Reno 12 Pro. And, as always, impressive cameras are included.
The Oppo Reno 12 Pro boasts a triple 50 MP setup: a main camera, a 2x telephoto camera, and a front-facing camera, all enhanced with AI algorithms for image post-processing and editing.
The phone also features other AI capabilities, such as generative photo editing, summarizing recordings and web pages, and creating stickers from photos. Additionally, it has new AI features for boosting phone connectivity.
The Reno 12 Pro is priced at €599 in European markets. Although Oppo’s phones aren’t officially available in the US, keeping an eye on them can provide insights into what sister company OnePlus may have in store.
We have the Oppo Reno 12 Pro in hand, and here are our impressions:
Table of Contents:
1. Specs
2. Design and Display
3. Camera
4. Performance
5. Software
6. Battery and Charging
7. Audio Quality and Haptics
8. Should You Buy It?
Oppo Reno 12 Pro Specs: Enter Dimensity 7300
The Oppo Reno 12 Pro is one of the first phones featuring the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, built on a 4 nm process for energy efficiency with minimal compromise on power.
Oppo Reno 12 Pro Design and Display
The Reno 12 Pro has an “alloy” frame that feels like strong, glossy plastic, and a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front. The back design varies by color: Space Brown has a grainy finish with a glossy strip, while Nebula Silver has a shiny, liquid-like paint job. The phone is as big as an iPhone 15 Pro Max but thinner and lighter, weighing 180 g.
Oppo emphasizes the durability of the Reno 12 Pro, claiming it can withstand drops and pressure, with internal cushioning to protect components. While we haven’t tested these claims, the phone feels ergonomic and comfortable. It’s splash-proof, though there’s no official IP rating.
In the box, you’ll find the SuperVooc charger, a USB-C cable, and a rubber case. The phone features a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a FHD+ (2412 x 1080) resolution, thin bezels, and a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth animations. The screen measures up to 1,200 nits in brightness and as low as 2 nits for bedtime viewing. Colors are vibrant, but you can adjust them for a more realistic look.
An under-screen fingerprint scanner offers quick access to apps with pre-set shortcuts.
Oppo Reno 12 Pro Camera
The Reno 12 Pro features a 50 MP main camera, a 50 MP 2x telephoto camera, and a 50 MP front camera, plus an 8 MP ultra-wide camera. Despite high-res sensors and AI post-processing, the photos are not as impressive as top-tier competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24. Photos often have amped colors and inconsistent skin tones, with soft details and harsh dynamics. Zoom performance is decent up to 5x, but quality drops at 10x. The selfie camera produces more realistic colors and decent portrait shots.
Videos share similar issues with exposure and color skewing. Stabilization is jittery, though the zoom effect is smooth.
Oppo Reno 12 Pro Performance & Benchmarks
The Reno 12 Pro comes with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, an octa-core chip designed for energy efficiency. It runs ColorOS on top of Android 14, providing a snappy user experience. However, the phone’s performance can stutter during multitasking.
Haptics are weak, with prolonged vibration feedback that doesn’t feel precise. The audio quality is adequate, but we wouldn’t recommend it for music streaming directly through the speakers.
Should You Buy It?
The Oppo Reno 12 Pro is a compelling choice if you want an AI feature-rich phone without paying flagship prices. It’s half the cost of a Galaxy S24 but includes many AI features. However, it falls short in some areas, such as camera performance and build quality. For a similar price, the Motorola Edge (2024) offers better performance and higher-quality materials.