The "AI" Smartphone is Here: Oppo Reno 12 Pro

Science & Technology

Introduction

This right here is one of the many new beginnings for Oppo, and it's the all-new Reno 12 Pro. This is the first ever AI-branded phone for Oppo, and we'll definitely be seeing more phones similar to this pop up later this year into early next year. While this review isn't comprehensive, I've had the opportunity to play around with the phone for the last 48 hours and wanted to provide a glimpse of what the Reno 12 Pro is all about. Like any other smartphone video on this channel, let's quickly talk about its specs.

Specifications

The Reno 12 Pro that I'm reviewing comes with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, which are top-tier specs for the Oppo Reno 12 Pro. The processor inside is the newly released MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy, a collaboration between Oppo and MediaTek. This processor aims to balance power efficiency and performance. Additionally, the phone packs a massive 5,000 mAh battery that supports fast charging up to 80W, enabling you to reach 100% in under an hour if you use an 80W charger.

Design and In-hand Feel

First and foremost, let's talk about the design and in-hand feel. The phone comes in three colors: Nebula Silver, Space Brown, and Sunset Gold. The Nebula Silver variant that I have is particularly striking, featuring a unique purple-silver hue. The back features a special texture or design that gives it a premium look. The camera module houses a triple-camera setup, which we'll discuss in detail. The phone has a subtle curve on the back, and while the display is also curved, the side frames are flat, offering a comfortable grip.

Display

On the display front, the device can reach up to 1,200 nits peak brightness with a maximum sustained brightness of 600 nits. For a mid-range device, this is decent if not the best in its category. The AMOLED panel supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, and the bezels around the display are quite thin.

Performance

In terms of performance, the device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy. If you want to get the best performance, you will need to turn on the high-performance mode in the settings. Without this, the phone prioritizes battery life, potentially making it feel slower. In Geekbench, the performance scores are lower than expected, raising some questions about the optimization of this chip. When it comes to gaming, titles like "Genshin Impact" run comfortably at 45 frames per second on low to medium settings. "Diablo Immortal" has a 30-frame limit even in high-performance mode, though "Asphalt 9" runs smoothly at 60 frames per second.

Haptics

One downside to note is the haptics. They feel cheap and somewhat old-school, reminiscent of older Android smartphones from around 2012. This might be a dealbreaker if haptics are essential to your user experience.

Battery Life

From my 48 hours of usage, I unplugged the Reno 12 Pro at 9 a.m., and by 4 p.m. it was at 60%. This suggests it could last until bedtime for moderate users, but heavy users might need to charge it in the evening.

Software

The Reno 12 Pro runs on ColorOS 14.1 out of the box and supports several new AI features. Notably, it lacks on-device AI processing, requiring an internet connection for AI tasks. However, features like AI Eraser 2.0 and the AI Toolbox, supported by Google Gemini, perform impressively.

Cameras

The Oppo Reno 12 Pro features a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 2x telephoto lens, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Interestingly, the front camera also uses a 50-megapixel sensor, promising high-quality selfies. From my brief testing in New York, the camera performance is exceptional for a mid-range device, particularly the 2x telephoto lens. The ultra-wide lens is decent but not the best, while the main camera offers well-balanced colors and minimal oversharpening. Video capabilities are limited, with 4K recording restricted to 30 fps on the main and telephoto lenses, while the ultra-wide can only record at 1080p30.

Conclusion

The Oppo Reno 12 Pro sits comfortably in the mid-range category, offering remarkable camera quality for photos, decent performance, and a fresh AI integration. However, at a starting price of around $ 599, it faces stiff competition. If you find a deal that brings the price down, it could be a worthwhile choice. Otherwise, exploring other mid-range options like the Poco F6 Pro might be more cost-effective.

Keywords

  • Oppo Reno 12 Pro
  • AI-branded phone
  • MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy
  • 5,000 mAh battery
  • Fast charging
  • Nebula Silver
  • AMOLED display
  • High-performance mode
  • ColorOS 14.1
  • AI features
  • AI Eraser 2.0
  • Google Gemini
  • Triple-camera setup
  • 4K recording

FAQ

Q: What are the main specifications of the Oppo Reno 12 Pro?
A: The Oppo Reno 12 Pro features 12 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, and is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy. It also has a 5,000 mAh battery supporting 80W fast charging.

Q: How is the camera performance on the Oppo Reno 12 Pro?
A: The phone boasts a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 2x telephoto lens, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The front camera also uses a 50-megapixel sensor for high-quality selfies.

Q: What are the display features of the Reno 12 Pro?
A: The display is an AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, capable of reaching up to 1,200 nits peak brightness and 600 nits sustained brightness.

Q: How does the phone perform in gaming?
A: Games like "Genshin Impact" run at 45 frames per second on low to medium settings, while "Asphalt 9" runs smoothly at 60 frames per second. "Diablo Immortal" is limited to 30 frames per second even in high-performance mode.

Q: What AI features does the Reno 12 Pro offer?
A: The phone runs on ColorOS 14.1 and includes AI features like AI Eraser 2.0 and AI Toolbox, supported by Google Gemini. However, these require an internet connection for processing.