OPPO Reno 12 Pro product reviews

The OPPO Reno 12 Pro sets out to bring AI to the mid-range smartphone world, but whether it succeeds depends on how much you're willing to compromise. While AI has been a buzzword in flagship models for a while, it's rare to see it trickle down to more affordable phones like this one. OPPO seems eager to change that, even if the execution isn't flawless.

When the Reno 12 Pro first launched in China in May 2024, it quickly made waves, but the global version comes with a slightly downgraded processor. Despite that, it still manages to pack in some impressive features: a fantastic display, portrait-centric cameras, and a big battery. And there are a few surprises here that you won't often find on other mid-range devices.

At $850, it goes toe-to-toe with entry-level models from some heavy-hitting brands. But with a few of its AI-powered tricks missing at launch and still absent at the time of this review, it begs the question: Is it really "Pro"?

The first thing I noticed when picking up the Reno 12 Pro was how slim and light it feels in the hand. At 7.4mm thick and 180g, it's comfortable to hold, but the plastic build is hard to ignore. Despite the premium looks, it's clear OPPO had to make some trade-offs to hit this price. However, the IP65 rating is reassuring, offering decent protection against dust and water, though I wouldn't risk any underwater adventures.

There are some cool extras here, like the under-display fingerprint sensor, which worked quickly and reliably during my testing. The inclusion of an IR emitter and app is a fun throwback and surprisingly useful for controlling other devices. It's not something you'll find often outside of Chinese phones, making it feel a bit unique in this space. The phone also supports either dual-SIM or SIM + MicroSD Card, which is nice to see. I miss not being able to save photos direct to MicroSD for easy transfer. Big gripe though - the tray is a trouble critter to pry open, and the visual distinction between the pinhole and the microphone - both located either side of the tray, is minimal. For reference, the pin goes into the hole on the left, nearest the corner of the phone.

The screen itself is a highlight. OPPO has gone for a smart design with slightly curved edges - nothing too extreme - giving the phone a more refined look and feel. The OLED panel is flat, and I think it strikes the right balance, avoiding the distracting reflections you often get with more aggressive curves. The 6.7-inch display offers solid sharpness with its 2412x1080 resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that keeps everything smooth. It's not the most power-efficient tech out there, but it does the job, switching between 60Hz and 120Hz based on what's on screen. OPPO also gets a nod for the use of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, which should keep the phone safe from day-to-day dings and scratches. The added screen protector is a nice touch as well, giving you a little extra peace of mind.

Brightness-wise, it's not breaking any records at 1200 nits, but in my everyday use, it was more than enough, especially indoors. Outside, on a really sunny day, it could struggle a bit, but for streaming video or scrolling through social feeds, it holds up well. Colours look great, though I found the default Vivid mode a bit oversaturated. Switching to Natural made photos look more true-to-life, especially when it came to skin tones. Definitely worth tweaking the settings right out of the box.

Now, for the cameras. OPPO is clearly aiming at the younger crowd with this setup. There are three 50MP cameras in total - two on the back and one for selfies - with an additional 8MP ultrawide. The main camera benefits from optical image stabilization and a wide f/1.8 aperture, which really helps in low light. However, don't expect anything mind-blowing when it comes to zoom. It's got 2x optical zoom, which is nice for portraits, but beyond that, it leans on hybrid zoom up to 5x. That works well in bright light but starts to lose detail when the sun goes down. Beyond 5x, the digital zoom quickly shows its limits, with significant quality drops at the maximum 20x.

The ultrawide, while decent, can't match the detail or dynamic range of the main sensor. It also lacks autofocus, so close-up shots are tricky, and colours tend to come out a bit warmer than the main lens. Still, for casual snaps, especially for social media, it's perfectly adequate.

For low-light photography, the Reno 12 Pro performs reasonably well. Night mode kicks in quickly, and while it's not up there with Google or Samsung, it does a good job for its price range. I found the selfie camera to be a standout, though. Its 50MP resolution, combined with autofocus and a wide field of view, makes it easy to capture group shots or nail the perfect solo selfie. The dynamic range is impressive, though the exposure can sometimes be a little inconsistent.

Performance-wise, the Reno 12 Pro is solid but not spectacular. With 12GB of RAM, I had no issues multitasking or switching between apps, and Android ran smoothly in day-to-day use. But when it came to more demanding tasks - especially gaming - it didn't quite keep up with similarly priced phones. Casual games were fine, but if you're looking for a phone to handle the latest titles at high settings, this might not be it. That said, the phone managed heat well, never getting too hot even during extended sessions.

One area where the Reno 12 Pro excels is battery life. The 5000mAh battery paired with a power-efficient CPU means you'll easily get through a day and a half of regular use, and even two days if you're not constantly on 5G or gaming. And while there's no wireless charging, the 80W SuperVOOC wired charging more than makes up for it. A full charge in just 45 minutes is faster than most phones at this price point.

Overall, where does that leave the Reno 12 Pro? It's a good phone, but in a fiercely competitive mid-range market, it doesn't do enough to outshine its rivals. It's got a lot going for it - strong battery life, solid cameras, and nice extras like expandable storage and fast charging - but it doesn't dominate in any one area. If you're looking for a balanced performer with some standout features you won't find elsewhere, like the IR remote or extra storage options, it's worth considering. But if you're after a gaming powerhouse or the best camera phone in this range, there are other options in the OPPO stable that might suit you better.