Since its launch in Kenya, the OPPO Reno12 5G quickly captured our attention, particularly with its impressive resilience tests showcased during the event. The phone’s durability, sleek design, and lightweight build suggest it could be OPPO’s flagship model this year.
But does this mean we’re more likely to drop our phones?
The Reno12 5G seems to transcend the typical mid-range category, especially with its integration of AI, developed in collaboration with Google, aligning it with industry leaders. Look out how OPPO helps you erase those unwanted photobombers.
Design and Build
Gently Curved Front Glass
We opted for the matte brown variant for our review unit, and its slim, lightweight form factor immediately caught our attention. Weighing just 117g compared to its predecessor the Reno11 5G which weighs 182 g. The Reno12 5G is so light that it might easily slip from your hands without a cover. OPPO describes this sleek, unibody design as “Futuristic Fluid” it feels comfortable to hold even for longer periods.
The design is undoubtedly eye-catching, reminiscent of the Reno11, yet the Reno12 5G takes it a step further. Built with a high-strength alloy frame and a gently curved front glass with yet a flat screen, this device is engineered to withstand drops, pressure, and water damage.
Having reviewed other devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Fold6, which feature complex hinges yet maintain water resistance, it’s clear that OPPO had durability in mind when designing the Reno12. The front screen is protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i, securely housed within the alloy framework. OPPO went to great lengths to demonstrate the durability of the Reno12 during its launch, leaving no room for doubt. Of course, we didn’t test its limits by drilling into our review unit, but the emphasis on resilience was evident.
Software and User Experience
The Reno12 5G has impressive viewing angles, just like its predecessor, the Reno11 5G. We found the 6.7-inch 3D curved screen which OPPO terms to be “virtually borderless”, to be sharper and brighter enough in most conditions.
When we tested the Reno11 5G, we enjoyed using ColorOS 14, OPPO’s favorite Android taste. With the Reno12 5G, our experience remained just as vibrant and colorful throughout the interface. Home screens and menus flit past with snappy yet smooth animations.
The user interface has also seen big improvements, especially in terms of localization. OPPO gives you plenty of options, between gestures and buttons, and between an app tray or pure home screen navigation. There’s also a handy sidebar function that lets you access keys apps and file management with a lateral swipe from the top edge. It also includes useful everyday apps along with a few notable AI features we tried out.
AI Eraser 2.0
The AI Eraser 2.0 easily removed a person from a photo, filling in the background naturally. OPPO claims this version is more accurate, with a 98% success rate in detecting and removing objects from photos.
AI Studio
The AI studio basically generates images. We interacted with the AI Smart Image Matting 2.0 lets you cut out multiple subjects from photos and save them as stickers for later. The phone also includes AI Studio, which can turn regular photos into artistic digital avatars with just one click.
AI Recording Summary
The AI Recording Summary tool arranges your voice recordings into easy-to-read written notes. The AI Toolbox also offers tools for writing quick emails, summarizing long texts, and even reading articles aloud.
These are however similar suite of features to those that Google and Samsung have implemented, such as AI Summary [summarize long article], AI Writer [sharpen up your messages], AI Speak [vocalize text], and the various camera features mentioned below.
Camera Quality
For this version, we decided to work with a professional photographer to help us understand the Reno12 5G camera features.
First, OPPO has kept the oblong camera module, which houses three lenses. The Reno12 offers four native focal lengths with zoom options at 0.6x, 1x, and 2x. This allows you to capture a wide range of scenes, from landscapes and everyday moments to close-up portraits.
Decent 50 MP Main Camera
The main camera is powered by a Sony LYT 600 sensor, featuring 50 megapixels, omnidirectional autofocus, and Optical Image Stabilization [OIS]. This results in faster and more stable focusing, ensuring sharp and clear photos.
The Flash Snapshot feature adjusts the shutter speed based on lighting conditions, improving image quality even further. With its high pixel count and advanced autofocus, the Reno12 delivers rich, detailed shots typically found in flagship phones, making it a standout in the midrange category.
The Reno12 5G also includes Portrait Mode with up to 2x digital zoom for common points of interest, along with new AI photo editing features like AI Clear Face and AI Best Face.
Discover Why the OPPO Reno11F 5G is a Smooth Operator
Performance
Dimensity 7300 Energy Efficient Chipset
Spec-wise, for those seeking a buttery smooth experience, fast charging, extended battery life, and robust connectivity, OPPO’s Reno12 5G is equipped with the new custom MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset. This chipset is the heart of the phone and has been designed with a focus on energy efficiency in addition to supporting both LPDDR4x and LPDDR5 memory types, achieving data transfer speeds of up to 6400Mbps. This results in significantly enhanced system responsiveness and improved multitasking capabilities, making it an excellent choice for mid-range smartphones.
Gamers will appreciate the seamless performance enabled by features like Variable Rate Shading [VRS], which optimizes graphics while conserving battery life. We tried playing Mortal Combat on it and the graphics were decent at 58 frames per second [FPS] without much strain on the phone.
Playing games at high FPS won’t harm your device as long as you’re not running multiple tasks, since the CPU and GPU handle the performance. However, intense gaming can drain the battery quickly and may lead to battery wear over time. We couldn’t test how long this works on the Reno12 5G before publishing, but we’ll provide an update later.
Many modern phones have safety features to lower performance if they start to overheat. If your phone slows down during gaming, it’s likely trying to protect itself.
Meanwhile, photographers and videographers will benefit from the chipset’s advanced capabilities, including Multi-Frame Noise Reduction [MFNR], hardware face detection, and video HDR processing. These features ensure that photos and videos are clearer, more vibrant, and of higher quality.
With its midrange chip, the Reno12 5G handles everyday tasks easily. However, I’ll need to give it more time, as my old Reno10 sometimes froze when doing a lot of multitasking.
Verdict
I have enjoyed using the Reno12 5G. For a fair price of KES 70,000, its performance is as good as its design and display. The phone has a sleek look that grabs attention without being too flashy and provides a solid, reliable experience.
