The Oppo Reno series is the Chinese brand’s signature mid-range family of smartphones, with the Oppo Reno 8 Pro being the latest device in the series to hit global markets. The series is generally known for marrying solid specs with a premium design. And the Reno 8 Pro is no different. Removing the rear RGB notification light from around the camera system is a significant design change in the phone so far. As compared to The Reno 7 Pro phone.
Otherwise, you should expect a Mediatek Dimensity 8100-Max chipset, an FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, and a 4,500mAh battery with 80W wired charging capabilities. The Reno 8 Pro also packs a triple rear camera system, consisting of a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. Oppo also offers an IP54 rating, so while it won’t survive a prolonged dunk in water, it should at least withstand some rain or a splash. It’s an improvement over the Reno 7 Pro, which had no IP rating at all, but there are phones in its price tier that push to IP67.
It’s worth noting that the Reno 8 Pro in global markets differs somewhat from the Chinese model released earlier this year, packing the Mediatek chip instead of a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC seen in the Chinese variant. The global model seems identical to the Reno 8 Pro Plus that topped the series in China.
The Reno 8 Pro is available in India right now, and Oppo has confirmed future launches for Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Pricing isn’t known for these regions just yet, though. It comes in either Glazed Green (pictured here) or Glazed Black colorways.
Oppo Reno 8 and 8 Pro: Everything you need to know
Here’s all we know so far about the Reno 8 series.
When will the Oppo Reno 8 be released?
Oppo unveiled the Reno 8 series in China on 23 May, and the phones went on sale on 1 June. There were three phones: the Reno 8, Reno 8 Pro, and Reno 8 Pro+.
The series then launched in India on 18 July, marking the beginning of a global rollout. Only two phones arrived this time: the Reno 8 and the Reno 8 Pro. But, the Reno 8 for India is slightly tweaked from its Chinese counterpart, and the Reno 8 Pro is the same phone launched as the Pro+ in China.
There’s also a Reno 8 Lite 5G launched in Europe, but it’s essentially a re-branded re-release of the Reno 7 Lite 5G.
Oppo Reno 8 and 8 ProDesign:
Straight out of the box, it must be said that the Reno 8 and 8 Pro’s design is easily one of the best things about it. The more premium Oppo Find X5 Pro at the back brings to mind, featuring a rear cover and camera bump made from a single molded piece of glass. Toss in a flat screen, a relatively lightweight body, and a flat metal frame, and you’ve got one of the better mid-range phones of 2022 from a design perspective. It also has Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, making the phone adequately protected from drops and knocks.
Display:
Turn the phone on, and you’ll be greeted by a pretty good 120Hz FHD+ OLED screen, getting bright enough for outdoor usage. The phone is set to a vivid color profile out of the box, but I didn’t find it oversaturated, and you can set it to the “natural” color profile instead. There’s also a color temperature slider if the display is too cold or warm for your tastes. Interestingly, Oppo’s settings menu only notes 120Hz or 60Hz refresh rate options. There’s no mention of an adaptive refresh rate, but the 120Hz option is adaptive (dropping to 90Hz or 60Hz).
Oppo Reno 8 Pro Camera Review:
If there’s an area where you should feel the Reno 8 Pro’s mid-range trappings, it’s in the camera field. But the good news is that the primary camera generally delivers in most conditions. The dark areas in daytime scenes can be pretty grainy on the odd occasion, but I found that images were usually sharp, vivid colors, and reliable focusing. The pleasant primary camera performance also extended to low-light conditions, still offering plenty of detail, a bright image, and reduced noise levels.
The bad news? Well, the secondary rear cameras fall way below expectations. That 8MP ultrawide camera is your run-of-the-mill budget shooter. Expect a significant increase in noise and completely different colors compared to the main camera. While the primary camera delivers saturated colors, the ultrawide shooter uses drab hues. It doesn’t help that images taken with the ultrawide can sometimes look oversharpened even in ideal conditions. Check out the two rocky seaside shots below to see the significant differences between the two cameras. Meanwhile, the 2MP macro lens is a token shooter that delivers soft, low-detail results even in good lighting.
Switch to the front, and Oppo is touting a 32MP selfie camera using the IMX709 RGBW sensor and packing autofocus as a welcome extra. Fortunately, the selfie camera offers some detailed images with a wide dynamic range and little in the way of noise during the day. The selfie camera is capable of some solid shots in mixed lighting, too, only falling apart in near-darkness due to aggressive noise reduction.
Oppo also said its new mid-ranger is equipped with its in-house MarisiliconX imaging chip. The company says the chip is responsible for reducing noise and improving dynamic range when shooting low-light 4K video or 4K HDR content. Video quality is pretty good in our experience, offering vivid colors, smooth frame rates when shooting at 60fps, and a satisfyingly wide dynamic range. The phone tops out at 4K/30fps, which is a big step behind the best budget camera phones. Likewise, the Ultra Steady mode does an excellent job of reducing judder but understandably tops out at 1080p/60fps.
The Reno 8 Pro doesn’t have the most impressive variety of camera modes, but what’s here is good. Standard fare like a night mode, portrait mode, pro camera, and panorama are joined by a few extras. This includes time-lapse functionality, slow-mo, a pro video mode, super steady video, video bokeh, and dual-vie.
Processor:
The Mediatek Dimensity 8100-Max chipset powers the Reno 8 Pro. Geekbench shows that the phone has single-core CPU scores in the same range as the Snapdragon 870, while multi-core scores are in the same ballpark as some Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones. Meanwhile, GPU benchmarks show that the phone is ahead of the Snapdragon 870-toting Poco F4 and just behind the Snapdragon 888 series, but a long way off Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones. The phone still delivers impressive stability under stress, and it only got warm instead of hot. In other words, the Reno 8 Pro can duke it out with upper mid-range devices and older flagships just fine.
Real-world performance is nothing to scoff at, either. Swiping through menus, switching between apps, and general scrolling were all handled smoothly. Games like Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Apex Legends all ran at a fluid pace. The phone can even handle demanding GameCube and PS2 games via emulation if that’s something you’re into.
The regular Oppo Reno 8 is a MediaTek Dimensity 1300-powered smartphone, featuring a 90Hz AMOLED display, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a triple camera setup on the back.the same chip found in the OnePlus Nord 2T – and in fact the Reno 8 shares almost all its specs with that phone. And it’s all powered by a 4500mAh battery with 80W wired charging.
Operating System:
As we know, Color OS has gradually become one of the better third-party Android skins on the market. The skin has plenty of handy features and great scope for customization (e.g., changing icon shapes, system colors, icon name sizes). There’s also the ability to hide banner notification details when someone else is looking at your phone or hide the content of alerts by default when it’s unable to see your face (e.g., in the dark). Mercifully, I never saw ads on the device, which is a vast improvement over what we saw on the Reno 7 Pro, though this may vary by region. The software isn’t perfect, owing to a few perplexing decisions and some gimmicky features, but more on the downsides.
One other aspect I appreciated was the phone’s in-display fingerprint sensor. I still can’t wait for Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic Max tech to come to more phones, but this is about as good as it gets for a conventional optical in-display fingerprint sensor, as I found it to be swift and very accurate.
Color OS is significant in aesthetics and customizability, but the default system behavior could use some tweaks. For one, the app drawer is disabled out of the box. It’s the kind of iPhone-wannabe move you’d expect to see on a Chinese smartphone back in 2015 rather than 2022.
The Reno 8 Pro’s software also has pre-installed bloatware, including Facebook, InDriver, LinkedIn, ShareIt, Snapchat, and Viu. You have some Oppo apps, too, such as Clone Phone, O Relax, and Sloop (a video editor). Like the lack of ads, the quantity of bloat may vary depending on your region, but in most units, these apps could be uninstalled.
Oppo’s software has a few interesting albeit gimmicky features on tap too. There are TouchWiz-style hands-free gestures for pausing video playback or scrolling through a page. These features were highly unreliable initially, and I only got the scrolling gesture working with regularity. Unfortunately, scrolling is limited to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook — why not the web browser?
Oppo confirmed to Android Authority that the phone would only receive two standard OS updates and three years of security updates. This isn’t very pleasant when devices like the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, Google Pixel 6a, and even the Nothing Phone 1 receive three or more OS upgrades and four or more years of security patches.
Battery and Charging:
Once you’ve exhausted the phone’s battery, you’ll be glad to know that it packs 80W wired charging via an included charger. We saw a full charge in around 40 minutes, which isn’t the fastest but is still very speedy. Oppo claims that the Reno 8 Pro’s battery degrades to over 80% capacity after 1,600 charging cycles or roughly four years. If this turns out to be accurate, then it’s a pretty impressive achievement. We’ve seen many phones hit similar reductions in around half the number of charging cycles. Oppo’s phone also supports standard fast charging via third-party chargers, just in case you don’t have the proprietary 80W brick.
The Reno 8 Pro also delivers pretty solid endurance in the first place. I managed to get almost seven hours of screen-on time over two days. This usage period consisted of watching YouTube videos, using the camera app on and off one morning, about 20 to 30 minutes of gaming, and browsing Reddit. Heavier usage got me over five hours of screen-on time. That’s still a respectable level of endurance, and more typical use means you’ll only have to charge every other day.
What are the Oppo Reno 8 specs and features?
There are usually multiple phones in the Reno range, and so far, we’ve heard about four: the Reno 8, Reno 8 Pro, Reno 8 Pro+, and Reno 8 Lite.
Oppo Reno 8
The Reno 8 is the standard model in the series. It’s still no slouch, though. It’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1300, the same chip found in the OnePlus Nord 2T – and the Reno 8 shares almost all its specs with that phone.
The main chip is paired with 8/12GB of RAM and 128/256GB of storage, and it’s all powered by a 4500mAh battery with 80W wired charging.
The display is a 6.43in 90Hz AMOLED panel coated in Gorilla Glass 5. The cameras vary a little between the Chinese and Indian versions. Both feature a single 32Mp selfie camera; on the back, a 50Mp primary camera is joined by a 2Mp macro. In China, this is rounded out by a 2Mp depth sensor, but in the global model, this is upgraded to an 8Mp ultrawide – meaning that the international Reno 8 is essentially the exact same phone as the Nord 2T.
Specifications
- 6.43in 90Hz AMOLED display
- MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset
- 8/12GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage
- Rear camera:
- 50Mp, f/1.8 primary camera
- 8Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide camera (global)
- 2Mp, f/2.4 macro camera
- 2Mp, f/2.4 depth sensor (China)
- 32Mp, f/2.4 selfie camera
- 5G
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- Gorilla Glass 5
- 4500mAh battery
- 80W wired charging
- Android 12
Oppo Reno 8 Pro (China)
The Chinese Reno 8 Pro doesn’t look to be getting a global launch – perhaps because it only boasts a few key upgrades from the regular model.
The most notable upgrade is the first phone to feature the just-announced Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset and Oppo’s MariSilicon X image processor – found on its flagship Find X5 Pro.
The Phone has a large display of 6.2″ & jumps up to a 120Hz refresh rate. While they are going to change the old plastic frame with a new aluminum frame. The camera is also getting a slight tweak, too, with the depth sensor swapped out for an 8Mp ultrawide camera – i.e., the same setup found in the global Reno 8.
Specifications:
- 6.62in 120Hz AMOLED display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset
- MariSilicon X ISP
- 8/12GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage
- Rear camera:
- 50Mp, f/1.8 primary camera
- 8Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide camera
- 2Mp, f/2.4 macro camera
- 32Mp, f/2.4 selfie camera
- 5G
- Bluetooth 5.2
- NFC
- Gorilla Glass 5
- 4500mAh battery
- 80W wired charging
- Android 12
Oppo Reno 8 Pro (global)/8 Pro+ (China)
The next phone up is known as the Reno 8 Pro globally, but the 8 Pro+ in China has yet another set of minor tweaks. It’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max and features the MariSilicon X. The display is slightly bigger again – up to 6.7 now – but is otherwise similar to the Pro’s. Besides adding autofocus to the selfie camera, the camera and charging setups also go basically unchanged. The design is also slightly tweaked, with a more oversized rear camera island and slimmer front bezel.
Specifications:
- 6.7in 120Hz AMOLED display
- MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Max chipset
- MariSilicon X ISP
- 8/12GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- Rear camera:
- 50Mp, f/1.8 primary camera
- 8Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide camera
- 2Mp, f/2.4 macro camera
- 32Mp, f/2.4 selfie camera
- 5G
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- Gorilla Glass 5
- 4500mAh battery
- 80W wired charging
- Android 12
Oppo Reno 8 Lite
The Reno 8 Lite is an oddity. It’s launched in a few European markets but not widely elsewhere.
What’s most striking is that it is the same phone as last year’s Reno 7 Lite 5G – which was the same device as the Reno 7 Z 5G and has since been re-released in India as the Oppo F21 Pro 5G.
There’s a Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, a 6.43 AMOLED screen, and a 64Mp rear camera. The phone again features the light-up camera module that made its debut in the Reno 7 phones and the same choice of black or rainbow finishes.
Disappointingly, it even still ships with the same Android 11 as the older phone too.
Specifications:
- 6.43in AMOLED display
- Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB expandable storage
- Rear camera:
- 64Mp, f/1.7 primary camera
- 2Mp macro camera
- 2Mp depth sensor
- 16Mp, f/2.4 selfie camera
- 5G
- Bluetooth 5.1
- NFC
- IPX4 rating
- 4500mAh battery
- 33W wired charging
- Android 11
How much does the Oppo Reno 8 cost?
Now that the phones have launched in China and India, we have pricing in various currencies for all four models. Let’s look at the three international models first:
- Reno 8: From ₹29,999 (around $375/£315/€370/Rs 89,999 /-)
- Reno 8 Pro (a.k.a. 8 Pro+ in China): From ₹45,999 (around $575/£480/€565/Rs 119,999 /-)
- Reno 8 Lite: From €429 (around $460/£365/Rs 84,000 /-)
- Reno 8 Pro: From ¥2,999 (around $450/£360/€420/Rs 99,999 /-) (China-exclusive Reno 8 Pro)
The Oppo Reno 8 Pro continues the BBK brand’s tradition of offering standout designs at a mid-range price. But it’s more than just a feast for the eyes, packing plenty of power, respectable battery life, fast charging, and a capable primary camera.
The OPPO Reno8 promises an exclusive outer layout backed by a thoroughly organized specification sheet. While an AMOLED type front screen loaded within takes care of the entertainment part, on the other hand, an 8GB RAM teamed with VOOC Charging enabled battery promises adequate performance.
A seamless performer for your busy schedule
Display and Camera
OPPO Reno 8 will come with a 6.4 inches AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. This device also has a pixel density of 411 ppi. The smartphone also has a bezel-less display fitted with a Corning Gorilla Glass v5 layer.
OPPO Reno8 comes with a triple-core camera setup that features a 50MP Main Camera, an 8MP Camera, and a 2MP camera on the rear. Autofocus, ISO Control, LED Flash, Digital Zoom, HDR mode, Exposure Compensation, Face Detection, and Touch to Focus are some advanced features. The device will have a single 32MP f/2.4 camera for selfies.
Configuration and Battery
The OPPO Reno8 comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 1300 MT6893 chipset inside. A processor combining Cortex A78 and A55 layouts will take care of the device’s internal operations. Which can perform at the highest speed of 3GHz. Moreover, the brand has also placed 8GB RAM along with a Mali-G77 MC9 GPU.
The smartphone will release with a 4500mAh Li-Polymer battery which is non-removable by nature. Furthermore, it also comes compatible with an 80W VOOC charging system.
Storage and Connectivity
Users get 128GB of non-expandable internal storage with OPPO Reno8. The smartphone promises clear video and voice communication via 4G VoLTE networks. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi, Mobile Hotspot, USB Type-C, 5G, Bluetooth v5.3, and A-GPS with Glonass.
Verdict:
Unfortunately, the phone has a few drawbacks that shouldn’t be expected if you’re paying Rs 45,999 (~$575/£480) on a smartphone. Sure, you can excuse wireless charging at this price, even if a handful of mid-tier devices have it. But IP67-68 water resistance has quietly become a fixture in this price segment while some cheaper mid-rangers also pack the option these days. Splash resistance doesn’t cut when paying over $500 for a phone.
Likewise, the low-effort secondary cameras and a middling update pledge are also significant disappointments for the money you’re paying. These downsides are also annoying because the Reno 8 Pro is more expensive than its already-expensive predecessor. Unfortunately for Oppo, the competition is also stronger than ever.
Potential Alternatives:
Lower Middle Rage options:
Perhaps the most widely available Oppo Reno 8 Pro alternative is the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G. Samsung’s mid-ranger brings an IP67 rating, a more impressive update pledge, and a sharper ultrawide camera. You do, however, miss out on faster wired charging speeds, while the Exynos 1280 is a solid chipset but still some way off the Dimensity 8100-Max.
The Poco F4 (£379) is another phone worth looking at if you’re looking for alternatives. It has a much cheaper price tag than Oppo’s phone, while the Snapdragon 870 still delivers excellent performance. The two phones have plenty in common, such as similar battery sizes, rapid wired charging, splash resistance, and 120Hz FHD+ OLED screens.
Similarly, the Poco X4 GT (€379), released as the Redmi K50i in India, is another Reno 8 Pro alternative you should keep in mind if you want plenty of power for the price, a faster refresh rate display, and a larger battery. However, you’ll have to make do with an LCD screen, a less premium design, and a less competitive primary camera.
Don’t mind trying a brand new manufacturer? Then the Nothing Phone 1 (£399) might be up your alley. Nothing’s first phone nails the Reno 8 Pro’s main strength of delivering great design in the mid-range space. It also packs a few advantages over the Reno 8 Pro, such as wireless charging, a longer update commitment, and a cheaper price tag.
Upper Middle Rage option:
In saying so, Oppo’s phone offers faster-wired charging, more software features, and improved performance. Finally, the Google Pixel 6a (£399) is another device worth considering. The phone packs a pretty beefy Tensor chipset, a dual-camera setup powered by Google’s acclaimed software. It also offers a longer update commitment, IP67 rating, and Pixel-exclusive software features. Unfortunately, the Pixel 6a lacks fast wired charging and a high refresh rate display. For that, you’ll need to pay a little extra for the Google Pixel 6 (£599).
