In today’s crowded midrange smartphone market, manufacturers are constantly innovating to stand out.
OPPO Philippines’ latest offering from its popular Reno series, the OPPO Reno12 5G, takes a unique approach with its focus on AI features, long battery life, and a curved design. We put the Reno12 5G through its paces to see if it delivers on its promises, and whether it can carve a niche for itself in this highly competitive segment.
Is this phone all hardware and software flash and no substance? Read our review of the OPPO Reno12 5G, which is priced at P24,999 or roughly $428 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, to find out if it lives up to the hype.
A curved gamble that pays off
While the look of the OPPO Reno12 5G is subjective, as the move to a curved screen might not sit well with some people, we like the hardware very much. In an industry where companies like Samsung are increasingly moving back to flat displays, OPPO’s approach is both welcome and refreshing.
The curvature on the front is matched by symmetrical curves at the back, held together by a solid middle frame made of plastic. The frame is extremely polished, almost mirror-like, reflecting light in all directions constantly.
The variant pictured here flaunts the Astro Silver colorway, which has a smooth anti-fingerprint coating on the surface. But the Reno12 5G is also available in a Matte Brown color with a sandstone-like finish. If you prefer your smartphone to look understated, the latter is for you.
Otherwise, you may want to give the silver version a chance; you might come away surprised how much you like it. It’s definitely giving premium-phone vibes with its color and the way the finish on the rear is interacting with light in a way that creates a captivating liquid-metal effect.
The unit itself is commendably thin and light at 7.6mm and 177 grams, and the curved edges make it comfortable to hold. Durability is addressed with a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protecting the display and an IP65 dust-and-water-resistance rating — good for using the phone in light rain or with wet hands, not dunks in the pool.
The OPPO Reno12 5G packs in stereo speakers for decent audio quality, with a handy Ultra-Volume mode for talking on the smartphone in public without earbuds. And thanks to their placement on the top and bottom panels, the speakers deliver a balanced sound displacement.
Up front, the Reno12 5G boasts a vibrant 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, along with impressive specs on paper: 10-bit color depth, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, according to OPPO.
However, our tests revealed less-than-stellar outdoor visibility due to the screen’s high reflectivity. This could be a dealbreaker for users who spend a lot of time outside with their handsets. The latest Reno model also introduces a new Splash Touch technology that lets you interact with the display even with wet fingers — perfect for poolside scrolling.
The OPPO Reno12 5G is indeed a phone with a distinct personality. The symmetrical curves on the front and back glass are a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, but the overall design is sleek and comfortable. While the AMOLED display promises a great viewing experience indoors, outdoor performance leaves a bit to be desired.
Good cameras backed by impressive AI tech
The OPPO Reno12 5G packs a 50-megapixel Sony IMX600 image sensor as its main attraction. This sensor boasts a large 1/1.95-inch size as well as optical image stabilization, mainly for improved low-light performance. While some competitors might offer more well-rounded multi-lens setups, the Reno12 5G keeps things simple with an 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel macro sensor.
Selfie lovers won’t be disappointed, though, as this Reno model flips the script with a high-resolution 32-megapixel front camera. Both front and rear cameras are capable of 4K video recording at 30 fps, offering users options for capturing memories in high-quality, sharper-than-1080p resolution.
Sample shots
But the real star of the show might be the AI processing power under the hood. The OPPO Reno12 5G brings a suite of AI features designed to elevate your photos. AI Eraser 2.0 promises to intelligently remove unwanted background objects with pinpoint accuracy, while AI Perfect Shot with AI Clear Face ensures crisp and detailed portraits even in group photos.
AI Eraser 2.0 is celebrity Nadine Lustre’s favorite feature
The most intriguing AI feature might be AI Studio app, which is preinstalled on the device. This app takes your standard selfie — or any photo in your gallery, for that matter — and injects some serious creative vibes. With the power of generative AI, AI Studio lets you transform yourself into a digital avatar, complete with a variety of styles. Channel your inner cyberpunk hero, embrace your Western spirit as a digital cowboy, or even go old school with a retro, pixelated version of yourself.
Can’t you see…
…how much fun we have…
…using the OPPO AI Studio app? The last two in this carousel? That’s me right there!
The fun doesn’t stop there. AI Studio lets you share an HTML5 link, inviting your friends to join a Group AI Photo. It’s a quirky way to add a touch of digital flair to your social media presence.
The results generated by AI Studio are undeniably impressive. The quality surpasses similar apps, even those locked behind paywalls or subscription fees. OPPO’s AI Studio stands out as a leader in this area. Hopefully, it will be made available on other OPPO devices to broaden its reach.
One potential snag: Generating images requires credits. While OPPO provides a generous 5,000 credits preloaded on the handset (and supposedly offers ways to earn more through the My OPPO app), the cost of 10 credits per image set raises concerns about long-term usability. Whether the pre-loaded credits or the My OPPO earning system will be sufficient for sustained use remains to be seen in a long-term review.
Endurance champ with AI smarts
When it comes to performance, the OPPO Reno12 5G prioritizes battery savings over raw power. It boasts a MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy 5G chipset built using a flagship-grade 4nm process and clocked at up to 2.5GHz and paired with a Mali-G615 GPU. This combination translates to responsive performance when it comes to basic tasks and multitasking without sacrificing power efficiency.
Gamers will appreciate the smooth visuals delivered by the 120Hz display and the Mali-G615 GPU’s ability to handle graphics-intensive apps and games. In the Philippines, the handset arrives with 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage that’s surprisingly expandable via microSD card for even more space.
You’ll be pleased with the OPPO Reno12 5G’s ability to handle resource-intensive titles. The smartphone’s combination of the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy chip and Mali-G615 GPU delivers smooth performance for most games.
Resource-heavy games with console-quality graphics are definitely playable on this device. Hoyoverse’s Zenless Zone Zero, which is easily one of the most demanding games out there, averaged 46 fps during our test, with the graphics set to Medium.
But just keep in mind that the handset is not the most powerful in its class. For the same money, you can get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3-based POCO F6 with double the storage, a more feature-rich flat screen, and a more premium metal build.
On the software front, the Reno12 5G elevates the Android 14-based user experience with its integration of Generative AI or GenAI technology. This translates to a phone that can anticipate your needs and provide helpful assistance. The new AI Toolbox, powered by Google Gemini, boasts features like AI Writer, AI Speak, and AI Summary — essentially a suite of tools designed to streamline communication and content creation. AI Writer assists with crafting messages and social media posts, while AI Speak and AI Summary help you quickly grasp information you encounter while browsing.
SEE ALSO: OPPO Reno11 F 5G review: ‘F’ for fantastic?
For those who rely on their phones for capturing important information, the Reno12 5G offers a new AI Recording Summary feature. This leverages Google’s Gemini technology to transcribe recordings and export summaries to the Notes app, making it easier to stay organized and revisit key points. Imagine capturing important lectures or brainstorming sessions. AI Recording Summary ensures you have a clear and concise record of everything discussed.
The Reno12 5G also tackles network woes courtesy of OPPO’s 360-degree Surround Antenna solution and AI LinkBoost technology. This nine-antenna system utilizes a system-level AI model to optimize network selection and ensure a reliable connection, even in crowded environments where multiple devices are competing for bandwidth.
Perhaps more notably, the OPPO Reno12 5G throws in a unique party trick: BeaconLink. This feature uses proprietary protocols to enable voice calls at a surprising distance — up to 200 meters. This translates to the ability to make and receive calls on your unit even in airplane mode, a potential lifesaver in situations where traditional cellular or Wi-Fi service is unavailable, like camping trips or music festivals.
The Reno12 5G boasts a hefty 5,000mAh battery, and OPPO’s claims of a day or two of battery life certainly hold weight. Our own testing with PCMark’s battery-rundown test yielded an impressive result of over 19 hours, further supporting the efficiency of the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy 5G chip. Whether you’re a moderate or power user, the battery is likely to see you through a full day on a single charge, with plenty of juice left over for the next.
Of course, your mileage may vary depending on how you use your phone. But even power users will appreciate the smartphone’s 80-watt SUPERVOOC fast charging.
In our tests, it took just 55 minutes to juice the battery from empty to 100%. This combination of long battery life and blazing-fast charging ensures you won’t be tethered to a wall outlet for extended periods.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, the OPPO Reno12 5G is a compelling option for users seeking a phone with an attractive design, long battery life, and innovative and fun portrait and AI features. If the curved display doesn’t deter you, raw power isn’t your priority, and price isn’t a major concern, then the Reno12 5G is for you.
The wait is over for the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G! Level up your portrait game & stay connected w/ OPPO’s AI while rocking its Fluid Metal design
— OPPO Philippines (@OPPOPhilippines) July 11, 2024
Pre-order the OPPO Reno12 5G starting at P24,999 & Reno12 Pro 5G at 34,999 at OPPO or partner stores#OPPOReno12Series5G #OPPOAIPhone pic.twitter.com/1DvhIqbHgT
Complete offers and availability here
OPPO Reno12 5G specs
- 6.7-inch 3D curved AMOLED display, FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
- 4nm Mediatek Dimensity 7300-Energy 5G processor
- Arm Mali-G615 GPU
- 12GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
- Triple 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, 8-megapixel ultrawide, and 2-megapixel macro
- 32-megapixel front camera
- ColorOS 14.1 based on Android 14
- 5,000mAh battery with 80-watt fast charging
- 177 grams
- 161.4mm × 74.1mm × 7.6mm dimensions
- Color options: Astro Silver, Sunset Pink, and Matte Brown
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