The continuous increase in the prices of top-of-the-range smartphones has created a vacuum in the market. This has allowed the birth of a new segment populated by smartphones with excellent features and dedicated to those who want very good products without necessarily having to rely on premium and more expensive devices. Precisely in this medium-high price range it comes into play Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G, which has all the credentials to become your next adventure companion.
At first glance it can hardly be seen that this smartphone is not a real top. The curved screen a 90Hz, the sparkling glass shell, the three cameras, the fast charging a 65W and the fingerprint reader under the display are features that until recently were exclusive to the more expensive models as well as the 5G connectivity. This Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G is the “almost top of the range” capable of making you forget that there is better and it won't make you regret wanting to save a little.
A design that deserves attention
The first meeting with the Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G amazes, the quality of the finishes of the mid-range smartphones has improved incredibly in recent years. The sandwich of Gorilla Glass 6 curved on the sides that encloses the metal structure will never make you doubt the high construction quality that the company is able to guarantee for its products. The two separate volume buttons are a detail that I appreciate, as much as the small green accent in the power button. All three give back to the pressure a dry and decisive feedback.
The rear body, in the model Space Black received by us, it has a dark gray color almost like a mirror which at first glance might seem a bit boring. On the basis of the incision of the rays of light that strike it, however, it is able to return a rainbow reflection just mentioned that does not clash and reveals a pattern made with the Oppo logo that starts from the bottom and fades until it disappears in the middle of the body. The only flaw with this finish is the inability to keep the back of the smartphone decently clean, a matte finish would have helped.
In the upper left corner there is a glass relief where the even more protruding cameras are housed. When placed on a flat surface, Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G works conspicuously and the silicone cover included in the package is only enough to equalize the first step but not the cameras. You will have to pay attention to where you place the smartphone as even with this cover the three protrusions on the back will be the first to make contact, risking scratching.
The front is dominated by a broad 6,55″ curved display. The panel OLED with resolution FullHD + (1080 × 2400 pixels) with an elongated aspect (20: 9) is capable of achieving i 90Hz. In addition to ensuring the excellent contrast and bright colors typical of displays in this category, it favors a feeling of speed and fluidity that only a display with a high refresh rate can guarantee. A pity that the bezels at the top and bottom of the device are slightly wider, however this is something that is not noticed in everyday use.
The smartphone allows unlocking with biometric authentication thanks to the facial recognition 2D made with the camera in the small hole in the corner of the display or with the optical fingerprint reader. Both methods have pros and cons: facial recognition is not the safest but it is very fast, the fingerprint reader is more secure but sometimes it takes that extra split second to unlock the device.
It's not a top but it really looks like it
Why do I keep writing that Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G is not a real top of the range? The explanation can be found in the technical data sheet of the smartphone. To move the device we find the SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, which as you may know is not the American company's flagship product. Anyway, you forget about this detail very quickly.
To be my first experience in his company, the Snapdragon 765G positively surprised me: being used to using as personal smartphones only real top of the range with the latest Snapdragon chip of the 800 series available, I have always considered the products of the 700 series that I have been able to try slightly subdued as far as my tastes are concerned. I am happy to say that this generation has changed my mind.
The smartphone has never been slow or unresponsive. Perhaps also thanks to the display with a refresh rate of 90Hz, Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G has always and at all times been able to exceed my expectations. THE 12GB RAM of the model we are testing are definitely exaggerated but i 256GB of storage accompanying them are a pleasant surprise given the lack of a MicroSD expansion slot.
Yes, as the name suggests this device comes with 5G connectivity. No, at the moment you shouldn't change your smartphone just for this, as the spread of the telephone network is still on the high seas and only in very few areas is it possible to exploit it. Anyway, if you have to buy a new smartphone e it happens that this has 5G support, this is a plus that could allow you to keep it longer. Of the two slots available for Dual SIM only the main one supports 5G, the secondary will use the LTE network.
La Octa-core CPU is divided into three clusters comprising a 475GHz Kryo 2,4 Prime core, a 475GHz Kryo 2,2 Gold core, and six 475GHz Kryo 1,8 Silver cores. Coupled with the Adreno GPU 620 has made sure that no mobile title has brought Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G to its knees. It doesn't allow you to play all the heavier games at a constant 90fps, however never suffers from slowdowns so strong as to be annoying and hardly falls below the 60fps threshold even in the most demanding titles.
Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G is also an excellent companion for watching videos, TV series or listening to music thanks to the presence of two stereo speakers. One is positioned at the bottom edge next to the charging port, the second is nothing more than the amplified ear capsule. The volume is high and the stereo separation is good, however the difference in power and quality of the two speakers is sometimes disturbing.
Unfortunately the 3,5mm headphone jack is missing but a pair of “definitely not Apple-inspired” USB Type-C headsets are included in the box.
Cameras: a winning trio
The substantial difference between a mid-range smartphone and a real top of the range very often lies in the photographic sector. The differences, especially in recent years, are really thinning but a user who has a trained eye and, above all, who knows what and where to look immediately notice differences that are sometimes important.
Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G houses the protrusion of the rear body three different cameras. A compliment is to be given to the brand for not having fallen into the trap of unnecessary additional sensors with this model, only to make up the numbers. The three cameras in this smartphone include complete photo sensors, with lenses they possess three focal lengths (zoom) different and who I am all three useful in everyday life. No nonsense like 2MP macro cameras or depth sensors, replaced by the more reliable autofocus laser.
The main camera with equivalent focal length of 26 mm is a 48MP f / 1.7 equipped with optical stabilization OIS and phase detection focusing system PDAF. The results obtained from this sensor they are average, do not surprise for quality but do not disappoint more than expected. I noticed in many of the shots a trend towards warm colors, however, nothing that a bit of editing can't easily fix.
Normally shooting from this camera the smartphone uses a Quad-Bayer interpolation system that groups the pixels in blocks of 4 to obtain shoot at 12MP resolution. You can shoot using the entire sensor or use the Extra HD mode able to return shots a 108MP. Honestly I did not expect I would have noticed any differences, however the 108MP shots manage (probably using a system trained with machine learning) to capture slightly better details than those at 48MP. The biggest difference is in the text, more readable even if not by much.
In complete darkness, despite using a kickstand and dedicated software mode, the Reno4 Pro 5G failed to surprise. In the shots captured at night in the presence of artificial light (even if little) or framing bright points such as signs or windows of buildings, however, he defended himself well. It can make a difference, allowing you to take home a decent shot instead of an underexposed, dark and unusable shot made with a smartphone without Night Mode.
A camera from 13MP with PDAF, opening f / 2.4 and with equivalent focal length of 52 mm (2x zoom) was chosen as the telephoto lens. It cannot afford to boast such incredible magnification levels as the top-of-the-range smartphones equipped with a periscope lens, however it is useful, convenient and produces pleasing results. I was momentarily confused by the camera from 12MP with lens f / 2.2 wide-angle lens (120 °). Although in the best conditions it is also really practical and able to take beautiful photos, comparing it with the other two sensors is noticeable a different color calibration. It almost seems like the software tries to process the image more to compensate for a lower sensor quality than the other two cameras.
The wide-angle camera is also used for the Ultra Steady video recording, one of the peculiarities of this product. During one of my usual rides aboard OneWheel Pint I decided to try recording by crossing a small piece of dirt road and personally i was a little disappointed: The stabilization software cannot compensate for excessive or sudden vibrations. However, this mode will come in very handy when recording video clips shaky hand users even if it cannot replace your action camera.
Selfies depend a lot on the situation. The sensor from 32MP with lens f / 2.4 can take pictures incredibly detailed in good lighting but quickly loses quality in the dark.
Unable to be with low battery
The battery has a total capacity of 4000mAh, in line with other smartphones in the same price range and even some that cost a little more. The Qualcomm chip is really well optimized and I have never been able to download the Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G in a single day. I normally managed to calmly charge it every other day, a result that in modern times few sufficiently performing products are able to obtain.
Forcing the refresh rate to 90Hz and being in an area with 5G coverage, for sure you will still be able to reach the end of the day in peace. If not, you will have the charger available SuperVOOC 2.0 included in the package and able to refill the two 2000mAh cells to the total power of 65W. This means being able to bring the smartphone back from completely drained up to 60% in just 15 minutes, while a full recharge will require only 36.
Despite the glass body, the coil for wireless charging is missing, an omission that is soon forgiven once you have tested the battery life and the speed at which you can recharge it with the cable from the USB Type-C port.
ColorOS, joys and pains
The version of Android 10 customized by Oppo with its user interface ColorOS 7.2 it doesn't bother me particularly. It is true, there are still some small problems to be solved, such as a customization of the notification area that limits the functionality of the interaction with these alerts. System settings could be rearranged to reduce the long list of menus that can be confusing for novice users, and pre-installed apps could end up being just awkward duplicates of Google (or third-party) apps that those users already use.
That said, the level of customization that the software allows is great and I find that most of the additions made by Oppo to Android are useful and comfortable to have. Just think of the messaging app cloning function (which allows for example to use two WhatsApp profiles at the same time), the convenient integrated file manager or the complete and granular battery management settings.
I prefer a cleaner and simpler version of the interface, it is no coincidence that I have almost always bought only Google Nexus and Pixel smartphones as personal smartphones, but ColorOS 7.2 in my opinion is moving in the right direction and, for less savvy users, it can be pleasant and complete.
The constant updates that Oppo has dedicated in recent years to the models that preceded this Reno4 Pro 5G they also bode well for lasting support over time.
Conclusions: who should buy it?
Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G is a complete smartphone which on its side has some notable tricks up its sleeve. Although it is not recommended for those who have a camera as their first interest in a smartphone, the images and videos recorded with the smartphone will be more than enough for everyone else.
You do not feel the lack of a top-of-the-range processor for a moment, unless you directly compare it with a more powerful device. The battery satisfies even the heaviest use, and the fast 65W charging is incredibly useful. The design has nothing to envy to the most expensive smartphones and, although it is not suitable for everyone due to the price of almost 800 euros, is proposed as a valid premium alternative to top smartphones which have far exceeded the threshold of 1000 euros in the list price.
Its biggest cost rival is currently the iPhone 12 Mini which shows up at about 50 euros more but it has a much faster chip on its side and the security of Apple's long-term support. However, the Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G responds with a recharge more than 3 times faster, a larger 90Hz display, three cameras and 256GB of internal memory.
