OPPO has just unveiled its latest midrange smartphone in the Philippines. Joining the ranks of the Reno12 5G and Reno12 Pro 5G, the OPPO Reno12 F 5G aims to offer a compelling package for those looking for a more budget-friendly camera phone.
Priced at a competitive P18,999 (approximately $336 converted) — compared to its stablemates, at least — the newly launched device boasts a lone 8GB/256GB configuration and comes in two attractive color options, Amber Orange and Olive Green.
We’ve already given the Reno12 F 5G a once-over, examining its sleek design while also hinting at its impressive camera capabilities and AI-powered features. Now that the local embargo has been lifted, it’s time to dive deep into our full review of this “more accessible” member of the Reno12 family.
Fresh face, same vibes
Compared to the Reno12 5G and Reno12 Pro 5G, the OPPO Reno12 F 5G has a more angular aesthetic with flat sides and a distinctive circular camera module at the back. Inspired by the watch industry, this new camera setup sets it apart from others in the Reno series, and adds a touch of premium to the handset.
While the number of cameras remains unchanged from its predecessor, the main sensor has been upgraded to a 50-megapixel unit, promising improved portrait and low-light photography, even though it offers fewer megapixels than the Reno11 F 5G‘s 64-megapixel sensor. After all, megapixels are just part of the equation. It’s the sensor size, aperture, image processor, and software optimization that truly determine the quality of a photo or video.
And despite its budget-friendly price, the Reno12 F 5G doesn’t sacrifice style. The phone is available in striking Olive Green and Amber Orange, the latter of which is a direct homage to Pantone’s 2024 Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz. Both options are decked out in a fingerprint-resistant matte finish, a subtle but appreciated touch for those who can’t stand smudges. They also feature the company’s new Halo Light circular lighting ring around the rear camera module.
Halo Light can display single or multi-color lights to indicate notifications and charging status. For music lovers, it can even sync its lights to the rhythm of supported music apps. While it may not be a necessity for everyone, the Halo Light is a convenient way to stay informed, especially for those who often place their smartphone face down on a table or flat surface.
Durability is a key feature of the OPPO Reno12 F 5G. It’s IP64-rated, making it resistant to sweat and splashes. The company’s All-Round Armor protection, featuring a high-strength alloy frame, further enhances its durability. To complement the unit’s rugged design, OPPO has included a premium, color-matching silicone case in the box, ensuring your handset stays protected from drops and scratches. This thoughtful inclusion is a rare treat for a midranger and rivals the quality of after-market silicone cases.
OPPO’s All-Round Armor protection, featuring a high-strength alloy frame, further enhances the Reno12 F 5G’s durability
Moving to the front, the Reno12 F 5G boasts a 6.67-inch OLED display that’s a pretty solid performer for the price. Offering full HD+ resolution, a wide color gamut, and a speedy 120Hz refresh rate, visuals are sharp, vibrant, and smooth. The screen’s ability to reach 2,100 nits of peak brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility, while deep blacks and strong contrast levels further enhance the viewing experience.
The lack of HDR support is a minor disappointment. However, Widevine L1 certification allows for HD streaming on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video.
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G offers flexibility with multiple refresh-rate options. Users can choose between 60Hz and 120Hz, although a 90Hz middle ground is missing. The phone’s Auto mode intelligently adjusts the refresh rate based on content, prioritizing 120Hz for smoother visuals and dropping to 60Hz to conserve battery life when viewing documents, editing photos, or browsing websites. Notably, the unit will let you set specific refresh rates for individual apps. This feature provides granular control over battery life and performance, ensuring optimal settings for different types of content.
OPPO’s Splash Touch feature, meanwhile, ensures the screen remains responsive even when your hands are wet, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and those living in tropical regions like the Philippines.
AI-powered photography
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G’s rear camera system is another big attraction. Its 50-megapixel Omnivision OV50D main image sensor is a pretty decent performer, capturing images with high detail, vibrant colors, and reasonably wide dynamic range. Of course, the image quality may not match the more expensive Reno12 5G, which we reviewed recently, but the results are still solid overall.
In addition to the main 50-megapixel sensor, the smartphone features a dedicated 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel sensor with macro lens that helps the camera system add more natural bokeh effects to portraits. The front-facing camera, equipped with a 32-megapixel sensor, is ideal for selfies and video calls. Looking at the specs sheet, the brand has clearly aimed to create a well-rounded camera phone.
Low-light performance is commendable, thanks to the Night mode. While images may exhibit some fuzziness when zoomed in, they are generally suitable for sharing on social media. The ultrawide camera performs well in daylight, capturing images with reasonable detail and sharpness. However, its performance in dim areas leaves a lot to be desired.
As expected, selfie enthusiasts will be pleased with the 32-megapixel front camera, which captures detailed and bright images, even in challenging conditions like inside a bar or restaurant. The screen-flash feature ensures bright and clear selfies even in low-light scenarios, making the latest Reno12 series model a good option for selfie enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, video recording is serviceable, with support for 1080p resolution at 60 fps on the rear camera. However, the front-facing camera is limited to 30 fps.
Sample shots, which include images of our trip to Cavite to join OPPO Philippines’ event there with brand ambassador Bea Alonzo
The real star of the show is the AI processing power under the hood. AI Eraser 2.0 is a potential game-changer, allowing you to effortlessly remove unwanted elements from your photos with a simple tap. Say goodbye to photobombers, distracting objects, and power lines that ruin your perfect shots. The results are truly impressive, often indistinguishable from professional edits.
Another impressive AI feature is the preinstalled AI Studio app, a powerful tool that allows you to transform your pictures into digital avatars. Using generative AI, you can experiment with various styles, from Eastern princesses and heroes to cowboys, retro pixel art, and a lot more.
The AI Studio app delivers truly impressive results, outshining many other apps, even those with paid subscriptions. OPPO’s AI Studio is a clear leader in this field. It would be fantastic to see this app made available on more affordable OPPO devices, allowing a wider audience to experience its mind-blowing capabilities. We believe AI Studio has the potential to become a viral sensation.
While AI Studio is a fantastic app, the use of credits for generating images could be a likely drawback. Although OPPO provides an initial allotment of 5,000 credits, we’re not sure if this will be sufficient for long-term use.
Efficient but a bit underpowered
OPPO has positioned the Reno12 F 5G as a mid-range contender focused on everyday performance and battery life. Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 processor, the phone offers a noticeable boost over its 4G-only predecessors. The 6nm processor features a combination of high-performance Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores, ensuring smooth performance for daily tasks and light gaming.
Though it may not be a gaming powerhouse, the Reno12 F 5G handles everyday tasks and some graphics-intensive games well at low to medium settings. The 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of storage provide ample space for apps and files. Just keep in mind that the hybrid SIM slot requires a tradeoff between expanding storage and using a second SIM card.
The new model is also decent when it comes to its battery life and charging capabilities. You’re looking at a 5,000mAh battery that delivers all-day power even under heavy usage.
Our unit achieved an impressive runtime of 16 hours and 13 minutes in PCMark’s battery-rundown test. Benchmark scores are solid, but real-world usage is where it counts. During testing, the OPPO Reno12 F 5G comfortably lasted through a full day of web browsing, social media, video streaming, and light gaming. The thermals are good, too. Our tests consistently showed no throttling below 70% of maximum performance, even after extended CPU stress tests.
The company’s 45-watt SUPERVOOC fast charging provides respectable charging speeds despite being slower than some competitors in the price segment. Our testing showed that the device can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 75 minutes.
The Reno12 F 5G boots ColorOS 14.0.1, a relatively lightweight and customizable skin over Android 14. And though there is some preinstalled bloatware, most of it can be removed. We found the software experience to be generally smooth and responsive.
Overall, we think the OPPO Reno12 F 5G is a solid choice for users prioritizing long battery life. While its performance may not be suitable for the most demanding tasks, it offers a reliable and efficient experience for everyday users.
Final thoughts
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G delivers an interesting package for those seeking a more accessible camera phone than the brand’s recent midrange offerings. With its impressive AI-powered features, sleek design, and long-lasting battery, OPPO’s latest offering delivers a pretty well-rounded experience. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it excels in everyday performance and offers a solid value proposition for consumers who prioritize these factors.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, we highly recommend considering the standard OPPO Reno12 5G, which is priced at P24,999 ($445) in the Philippines. It offers better value for money than the F variant and is a top choice among OPPO’s recent releases.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G specs
- 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G chipset
- Mali-G57 GPU
- 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 256GB/512GB UFS 2.2 storage
- Triple 50-megapixel main, 8-megapixel ultrawide, 2-megapixel macro rear cameras
- 32-megapixel front camera
- Under-display fingerprint reader
- 5,000mAh battery with 45-watt fast charging
- IP64 rating
- ColorOS 14 based on Android 14
- Color options: Amber Orange, Olive Green
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