At a look
Professional’s Score
Professionals
- Gorgeous colour-changing end
- Two-day battery life
- Speedy charging
- Succesful efficiency
Cons
- Blended digicam set-up
- Solely two years of assured software program updates
- No variable refresh price
Our Verdict
With a aggressive value, a shocking design, sturdy efficiency and an incredible important digicam, the Oppo Reno 8 is a real challenger within the mid-range area.
Value When Reviewed
Not accessible within the US
Oppo has three telephones in its Reno 8 line: the premium mid-range Reno 8 Professional, the extra reasonably priced Reno 8 Lite, after which the Goldilocks mannequin, the Reno 8.
While this cellphone doesn’t have the identical flagship digicam tech that the Reno 8 Professional boasts, it nonetheless has a modern construct, fast-charging know-how and an honest processor for the value. However is the Reno 8 actually the most effective of the bunch?
Design & construct
- Gorgeous gold end with Oppo Glow
- IP54 ranking
- No case included
The Oppo Reno 8 is available in two color choices: Shimmer Black and Shimmer Gold. I examined the latter choice, which can be fitted with Oppo’s Glow end. Because of this beneath completely different lighting circumstances and angles, the physique displays a number of colors, together with reds, blues and greens.
Total, it’s a gorgeous, high-end look – this creator even acquired compliments on it. Because the again is plastic, it feels extra sturdy than glass telephones, and it doesn’t have the Reno 8 Professional’s nasty behavior of throwing itself off surfaces. The digicam module is sort of an announcement, protruding out on the left-hand aspect with massive, round lenses.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The cellphone is 7.67mm thick, and weighs 179g, making it slim by fashionable requirements. It comes with an IP54 ranking, which signifies that it’s protected in opposition to restricted mud and light-weight water spray – however I’d advise in opposition to utilizing it in true moist climate. No MicroSD card slot is included.
The Reno 8 comes with a USB-C port for charging, which additionally doubles as a port for headphones – you’ll discover no headphone jack on this mannequin. Just like the Reno 8 Professional, this cellphone doesn’t embody a case within the field. While Oppo claims that is to assist cut back waste, it’s an annoyance as circumstances should not as available as these which might be designed for flagship fashions.
Display screen & audio system
- 6.43in FHD AMOLED show
- As much as 90Hz refresh price
- Common stereo audio system
The Reno 8 is fitted with a 6.43in FHD AMOLED show with Gorilla Glass 5. The display is energetic and shiny, with vibrant colors that come out.
The cellphone comes with as much as a 90Hz refresh price, which can be a disappointment if you happen to’re a giant cellular gamer hoping for a quicker 120Hz show. There’s additionally no dynamic refresh price – you’ll be able to solely select between the decrease 60Hz choice, and the upper 90Hz model. Nonetheless, the display is completely sufficient for day-to-day duties corresponding to scrolling by social media and typing up notes, so most individuals actually gained’t thoughts.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The under-display fingerprint sensor on the gadget additionally works constantly – an enchancment from what I discovered on older telephones from Oppo.
The Oppo Reno 8 comes with twin stereo audio system, which produce loud audio with first rate bass. Nevertheless, the standard doesn’t fairly measure as much as the most effective telephones, with extra audio processing software program.
Specs & efficiency
- 8GB RAM and 256GB storage
- MediaTek Dimensity 1300
- Stable efficiency general
You may solely get the Oppo Reno 8 in a single configuration: 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Below the hood there’s a MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset, the identical processor that’s discovered within the mid-range heavyweight, the OnePlus Nord 2T.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
This creates fast and responsive efficiency throughout use, even when multitasking between quite a few apps. I used to be capable of browse social media, stream Twitch, take pictures and name my household with ease. The cellphone is even able to some mild gaming. Nevertheless, if you happen to play something strenuous, this may throttle the processor and warmth up the cellphone slightly.
It’s not fairly as highly effective because the Reno 8 Professional, which manages to face in opposition to some flagships – however it may possibly definitely maintain its personal in opposition to equally priced mid-range fashions from OnePlus and Google:
Battery life & charging
- Huge outdated battery
- Speedy 80W charging
While the Oppo Reno 8 solely has a 4500mAh battery, it goes an actual great distance. I used to be capable of stream movies, browse the web, doom scroll on Twitter and extra for nearly two days on common – even utilizing the upper refresh price.
Our PCMark battery take a look at additionally displays this, with the cellphone reaching a formidable rating of 14 hours and 18 minutes.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Within the field, Oppo contains an 80W SuperVooC quick charger, together with a suitable USB-C cable. No wi-fi charging or reverse wi-fi charging is included on the Oppo Reno 8.
The fast-charging tech is spectacular, with the cellphone attending to 99% from empty on a 30-minute cost. At one level, the cellphone was near 1%, and a five-minute juice earlier than I went out the door made it final a couple of extra hours.
It’s uncommon to discover a cellphone that has such a formidable battery and charging this quick – Oppo actually does excel on this space, particularly for the value.
Cameras & video
- Triple rear digicam
- Good important lens, forgettable others
- First rate 32Mp selfie digicam
The Oppo Reno has a triple digicam set-up, made up of a important 50Mp lens with a Sony IMX766 sensor, in addition to a 5Mp wide-angle lens and a 2Mp macro lens. The primary digicam is identical {hardware} seen on the extra premium Reno 8 Professional. Nevertheless, this cellphone misses out on Oppo’s devoted Marisilicon X NPU.
Total, this digicam produces first rate pictures, performing greatest beneath shiny daylight circumstances, with indoor photographs and dimmer environments dropping a little bit of readability. It captures issues in movement corresponding to shifting water and fireworks fairly nicely too – even with out the inclusion of OIS.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Like another mid-range snappers, the HDR mode overblows some colors – significantly the greens on grass, which get an unnatural tinge. It’s a disgrace, as different components are enhanced nicely with this on.
The alternative may be mentioned for the 5Mp wide-angle snapper, which ought to solely actually be used for giant panorama photographs. The sky regarded washed out, while constructing particulars appear fuzzy and muddy. The 2Mp macro lens can be a trouble to get a half-decent shot with.
When zooming, something as much as 5x is helpful for closeups, however keep away from something increased than that. At 20x, the digicam shakes a lot that it’s nearly unusable – that is the place OIS actually would have helped. As well as, colors don’t have the identical punch as they do when utilizing the primary digicam with out the zoom, and lighting glare is typically a problem as nicely.
Night time mode isn’t as crisp as it’s on Oppo telephones with the Marisilicon X chip, with particulars typically blurring into each other, particularly for topics which might be far-off. Nevertheless, it’s adequate sufficient to elevate lighter colors, and the evening sky doesn’t have that jarring blue tinge that I’ve seen from the likes of Realme.
On the entrance, you get a 32Mp, f/2.4 selfie digicam with Sony’s IMX709 sensor. While the photographs seem comparatively good high quality, the bokeh impact struggles to determine textures corresponding to high-quality items of hair, even on the bottom power (which might solely be adjusted earlier than you are taking the photograph). Shades are far more vivid and energetic on photographs taken in brighter circumstances.
Video recording is on the market from 4K as much as 30fps, and 1080p as much as 60fps. The ultra-steady mode (accessible at 1080p) minimises handshake, however I discovered the general impact too sturdy and unnatural.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Software program & updates
- Ships with Android 12
- Solely two years of OS updates assured
The Reno 8 comes with ColorOS 12.1, which is Oppo’s model of Android 12. Oppo’s skins of Android are all the time user-friendly and nicely laid out. You may multitask between apps utilizing both cut up display or floating home windows – although the gestures for these may be finnicky.
There may be some annoying bloatware, with video games corresponding to Piggy Go and Tile Grasp 3D. Nevertheless, Oppo isn’t fairly as responsible because the likes of Huawei and Xiaomi for this type of factor.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The cellphone has additionally been confirmed to get an replace to ColorOS 13, however this gained’t come till both the tip of 2022, or within the first few months of 2023.
Oppo gives two years of assured OS updates and three years of safety updates. This isn’t as spectacular as rivals corresponding to Samsung, whose units have 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of safety updates. It could be good to see Oppo improve the length of those updates in future fashions, particularly with the price of residing ever creeping up.
Value & availability
Costs for the Oppo Reno 8 begins from £419/€599. Within the UK you should purchase it from the likes of Oppo, Amazon, Currys, and Carphone Warehouse SIM-free, and on contract from Vodafone and EE.
Oppo telephones aren’t accessible formally within the US. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless get it imported from websites corresponding to AliExpress.
While the Reno 8 Professional outshines this cellphone with its Marisilicon X NPU, flagship killer chip, and higher waterproofing, the Reno 8 is a extra aggressive choice within the mid-range area, slicing again in all the correct areas to maintain the value down.
For the same value you might think about both the OnePlus Nord 2T, or the Google Pixel 6a. Alternatively, you’ll be able to learn up on our picks of the most effective mid-range telephones for extra choices.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Verdict
Just like the Reno 8 Professional, the Reno 8 holds its personal as stable mid-range cellphone. It has a shocking design, succesful efficiency, a user-friendly OS, speedy charging and a particularly sturdy battery life. The primary digicam can be largely spectacular – although the opposite lenses aren’t something to shout about.
While there are some notable downgrades from the Professional variant of this cellphone – notably the processor, the refresh price, the digicam software program and the IP ranking, the £419 price ticket is a lot better located within the mid-range market. It’s a true gem, and a worthy rival to different telephones from OnePlus and Google.
Specs
- Android 12 with ColorOS 12.1
- 6.4in 90Hz Full HD (2412×1080) AMOLED show
- In-display fingerprint sensor
- MediaTek Dimensity 1300
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- 50Mp important digicam, f/1.8
- 5Mp ultrawide digicam, f/2.2
- 3Mp macro digicam
- 32Mp hole-punch entrance digicam, f/2.4
- USB-C
- WiFi 6
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- 4500mAh battery
- Wired charging as much as 80W
- 179g
- 160 x 73.4 x 7.67mm