Elevated Elegance: First Look at the Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G Amidst Fierce Competition

The Oppo Reno 7 Pro 5G (Review) presented a notable enhancement compared to the Reno 6 Pro (Review), featuring a flat display, stereo speakers, and upgraded camera sensors, all encased in a high-end design with an eye-catching notification LED strip bordering the camera setup. Recently, Oppo has unveiled the Reno 8 Pro 5G in India, alongside the Reno 8 5G. It features a revamped design, comparable camera specs with minor tweaks, and a more advanced processor.

However, it comes with a higher price point, placing it in direct competition with smartphones like the OnePlus 10R 5G Endurance Edition (Review) and Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) (Review). After spending a day with the device, here are my initial thoughts.

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G features a rear panel crafted from Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5, set within a metal frame

The Reno 8 Pro 5G, similar to its predecessor, is offered in a single configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage priced at Rs. 45,999, which appears somewhat steep compared to other devices with similar specifications like the OnePlus 10R 5G (starting at Rs. 38,999) and the Realme GT Neo 3 (from Rs. 36,999). For reference, last year’s Oppo Reno 7 Pro 5G debuted at Rs. 39,999 in India.

As has been the case with previous Reno models, the design is a standout feature. Given the flashy LED lighting of the Nothing Phone 1‘s (First Impressions), I anticipated something similar from Oppo with the Reno 8 Pro 5G, primarily because the Reno 7 Pro 5G featured an LED ring around its camera for notifications. However, the new Oppo Reno 8 Pro opts for a more understated design with an elegant appearance devoid of flashing lights.

The rear panel lacks the matte finish that many manufacturers are opting for lately, instead choosing a glossy surface. It is built from Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 and showcases a raised camera module seamlessly integrated with the rear glass, giving it a premium feel and a distinctive look that stands out in its price range. Oppo also states that the Reno 8 Pro carries an official IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, which is commendable at this price tier. The device features a metal frame; however, it surprisingly weighs only 183g, especially considering its substantial dimensions.

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G sports a 6.7-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate

The large size of the device is largely due to the 6.7-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display. Oppo has maintained the flat display design seen in the Reno 7 Pro 5G, which seems like an advantageous choice, and it utilizes Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5. The display features narrow bezels all around, which are particularly slim on the sides, giving the phone a contemporary aesthetic.

The fingerprint scanner embedded within the display functioned reliably during my initial interactions. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, beneficial for gaming experiences. Additionally, the device includes stereo speakers that Oppo claims will enhance immersion during gaming and video playback.

Under the hood, the phone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8100-Max SoC, customized by Oppo. This marks a significant upgrade from the Dimensity 1200-Max SoC found in the Reno 7 Pro 5G. The brand has also integrated its imaging processor, the MariSilicon X NPU (Neural Processing Unit), aimed primarily at optimizing video recordings. The Reno 8 Pro 5G can record HDR video at up to 4K 30fps. We previously encountered this NPU in the Oppo Find X5 Pro (First look).

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G operates on Oppo’s ColorOS 12.1, based on Android 12. Oppo assures two years of Android updates and four years of security updates with the Reno 8 Pro 5G, which is an excellent addition.

The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G features a triple rear camera setup

The rear of the phone comprises three cameras, which closely resemble the configuration from the Reno 7 Pro 5G. The setup features a 50-megapixel primary sensor with a Sony IMX766 sensor, but for reasons known only to Oppo, it lacks optical image stabilization (OIS). Additionally, there is an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The front-facing camera maintains the previous 32-megapixel sensor and now includes autofocus.

The battery of the Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G has a capacity of 4,500mAh, aligning with that of the Reno 7 Pro 5G, but offers faster charging at 80W (compared to the previous 65W). Oppo claims that it can charge up to 50 percent in just 11 minutes, though I will need to verify these claims in my comprehensive review.

While the Oppo Reno 8 Pro may be visually appealing, its increase in price has positioned it into a fiercely competitive premium market. Although its specifications align closely with those found in the OnePlus 10R 5G Endurance Edition (Review) and the Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) (Review), it also faces tougher competition from devices like Samsung’s versatile Galaxy S20 FE 5G (Review) and the powerful Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G (Review), which boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, a 108-megapixel camera, and 120W charging.

Will the Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G be able to compete effectively? Stay tuned for our in-depth review coming soon exclusively on Gadgets 360.