Earlier this year in March, OPPO introduced the Reno11 Series in Kenya, featuring the Reno11 F 5G, Reno12 5G, and the Reno12 Pro 5G. As someone who had the opportunity to review the Reno11 F 5G, I found much to appreciate in the device.
However, there were a few shortcomings, particularly the use of the Dimensity 7050 chipset, which felt underpowered compared to what the competition offered.
Fast forward just six months, and OPPO has already unveiled the Reno12 Series in Kenya. It’s a rapid pace that leaves me questioning the necessity of such frequent launches—especially when Reno11 users have barely had time to get acquainted with their devices before they’re considered “outdated.”
This time around, the Reno12 Series in Kenya includes only the Reno12 F 5G and the Reno12 5G, with no Pro variant in sight. The reason for this omission remains unclear.
Having spent the past few weeks with the OPPO Reno12 F 5G, this review will delve into whether OPPO has made any significant upgrades with the latest model and if the concerns I had with the Reno11 F 5G have been addressed.
Let’s get to it….
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: Price and Availability
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G is currently available in Kenya at a recommended retail price of KES 50,000. Consumers can choose from two color options: Olive Green and Amber Orange. This model comes equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
The more premium Reno12 5G, on the other hand, is priced at KES 70,000. Customers have three color choices: Matte Brown, Sunset Pink, and Astro Silver. This higher-end variant features 12GB of RAM and a generous 512GB of storage.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: What’s In The Box?
OPPO remains one of the few phone brands that still includes a full set of accessories in the box. With the OPPO Reno12 F 5G, you’ll find:
- A 45W charging brick
- A color-matched phone case
- A USB Type-C cable
- User guides
- The phone itself
It’s refreshing to see OPPO continue to provide these essentials, especially the charging brick, at a time when many brands have opted to include only a charging cable under the guise of environmental consciousness.
The included case is also a standout, offering both a good feel and an added layer of protection.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: Design and Build
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G features a plastic back and frame, but OPPO has done an impressive job making the device feel solid and sturdy.
The plastic build also contributes to its durability. However, one drawback is the glossy frame, which tends to attract fingerprints. A matte finish like the back would have been preferable, but the included case helps mitigate this issue.
My review unit comes in this beautiful Olive Green, though the phone is also available in Amber Orange for those who prefer a bolder look. Turning to the back, OPPO has moved away from the rectangular camera island of the Reno11 F 5G in favor of a circular ring that houses the cameras, flash, and an intriguing feature called Halo Light.
The Halo Light is a customizable circular light that offers different light effects based on what you’re doing—whether it’s charging, receiving notifications, taking calls, or gaming. I must say, I prefer the back design of the Reno12 F 5G over its predecessor.
The back also features the words “AI CAMERA SYSTEM” beside the lenses, hinting at the camera capabilities that we’ll dive into later.
The Reno12 F 5G is IP64 rated, offering protection against dust and water splashes, which is a welcome addition, though it’s a slight downgrade from the IP65 rating of the Reno11 F 5G.
In terms of size, the Reno12 F 5G is a large phone, boasting a 6.67-inch AMOLED display and weighing in at around 187g. It does feel slightly heavier than the Reno11 F 5G, which weighed 177g, and even heavier than its bigger sibling, the Reno12 5G.
Despite the weight, I’ve found it comfortable to use with one hand, though those with smaller hands might want to consider this before purchasing.
As for I/O, you’ll find the volume rocker and power button on the right side, a USB Type-C port for charging, a dual SIM card tray, and dual stereo speakers—one at the bottom and one at the top.
Unfortunately, there’s no IR blaster, a feature I would have loved to see included.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: Display & Speakers
The Reno12 F 5G features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, slightly smaller than the 6.7-inch screen on the Reno11 F 5G. However, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in brightness.
The flat AMOLED display reaches an impressive peak brightness of 2100 nits—a significant leap from the 1100 nits offered by its predecessor. This means you’ll have no trouble using the Reno12 F 5G outdoors, even under direct sunlight.
While the FHD+ resolution is generally sufficient for smaller screens, the reduced pixel density (395 ppi) on this display is noticeable, particularly if you’re accustomed to higher-resolution panels like those on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Although still decent, it might feel like a slight step down in sharpness for some users.
The Reno12 F’s display also offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, with OPPO going a step further by providing three customizable refresh rate options. The first option, “Auto-select,” intelligently adjusts between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz based on the task at hand, balancing performance with power efficiency.
“Standard mode” locks the display at 60Hz, making it ideal for users who want to maximize battery life. “High mode,” on the other hand, keeps the display at a consistently smooth 120Hz, perfect for those who prioritize fluid visuals over battery longevity.
Additionally, there’s a new feature called “App-specific refresh rate,” which lets you customize the refresh rate for individual apps. For example, you can run the phone at 60Hz but set specific apps like Chrome and WhatsApp to operate at 120Hz. This level of customization is impressive and something I’d love to see other manufacturers adopt.
One area where the Reno11 F 5G fell short was in the audio department, with only a single bottom-firing speaker and no stereo setup. I’m pleased to report that the Reno12 F 5G addresses this issue, featuring dual speakers that deliver a more immersive audio experience.
Interestingly, the speakers can reach impressively loud volumes. If you keep increasing the volume, it can boost up to an amusing “300%” in what OPPO calls “Ultra Volume Mode.”
However, I wouldn’t recommend using this setting, as the sound quality tends to distort at such high levels.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: Performance
If you read my review of the Reno11 F 5G, you’ll know my biggest complaint about the phone was its choice of processor. The Reno11 F 5G featured the Dimensity 7050, a chipset that had been reused on a couple of OPPO phones.
Well, I’m not entirely convinced that OPPO has addressed this issue with the Reno12 F 5G. The new model now features a newer chipset, the Dimensity 6300. While the Dimensity 6300 is newer, data from TOPCPU shows that the 7050 is actually around 19% faster and has a higher frequency (2600MHz vs 2400MHz).
That said, day-to-day performance on the Reno12 F 5G is still quite good. The 12GB of base storage helps deliver a smooth, lag-free experience, even when multitasking and switching between apps.
Demanding games like Call of Duty Warzone are playable, provided you keep the settings low. I also noticed the phone doesn’t get uncomfortably hot during extended gaming sessions.
The Reno12 F 5G also offers up to 4GB of expandable RAM, which is more than enough for most users’ needs. And with a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling through social media apps feels seamless.
Storage-wise, you get 256GB of UFS 2.2 space, which should be plenty for most users. There’s also the option to add a microSD card, though that will require sacrificing the second SIM slot.
Overall, the Reno12 F 5G performs its daily tasks admirably, which is what you’d expect at this price point. However, I still wish OPPO had opted for a more powerful chipset, as the Dimensity 6300 appears to be outpaced by the older Dimensity 7050.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: Software & OPPO AI
The Reno12 Series launches with Android 14 and ColorOS 14 out of the box. ColorOS is generally a smooth and highly customizable Android skin, offering a polished visual style and a wealth of personalization options.
If you’d like to learn more about the specifics of the ColorOS 14 experience, I’ve written a separate in-depth article covering some of its key features and how it compares to stock Android.
My one lingering gripe with ColorOS 14, however, is the inclusion of preinstalled apps and bloatware. I counted a total of 12 nonessential apps on the Reno12 F 5G, which feels like a bit of overkill in my opinion.
These apps take up storage space and can clutter the user experience, even if they are technically removable during the initial device setup. It’s an area where OPPO could improve the out-of-the-box experience for its users.
On a more positive note, OPPO has committed to providing 4 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Reno12 Series.
This is a good software support policy that aligns with the typical lifespan of most people’s devices. It ensures the Reno12 will remain up-to-date and secure for years to come, adding real long-term value for those who invest in the series.
Beyond the core Android experience, OPPO has heavily marketed the Reno12 Series as being “AI-powered,” branding them as the company’s first AI-focused devices. I’ve had the chance to dive into these AI-powered features, and I must say, some of them are quite impressive and genuinely useful.
The ones worth highlighting include:
- OPPO AI Studio: This feature allows you to create unique AI-generated photos of yourself, adding cool backgrounds, altering your appearance, or even generating entirely new portrait images from just a single source photo. I had a lot of fun experimenting with the various editing options and seeing the creative results.
- OPPO AI Eraser: This tool makes it remarkably easy to remove unwanted objects or people from your photos. It works seamlessly, intelligently filling in the gaps to create a natural-looking result. I’ve included a video demonstration showcasing how simple it is to use this feature.
- OPPO AI Record Summary: For users who find themselves in a lot of meetings or lectures, this tool can automatically summarize audio recordings into useful notes, complete with full transcripts. It works best with clear recordings and minimal background noise, saving you time and effort when trying to recap important discussions.
- OPPO AI LinkBoost: This background feature can detect when you’re entering or leaving an elevator, where network signal strength is often unstable. It will quickly reconnect you to the best available network without any user intervention, ensuring a seamless connectivity experience as you move through buildings.
There are several other AI-powered features included with the Reno12 Series, and I’m planning to cover them in more depth in a dedicated blog post soon.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: Cameras
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G features an updated 50MP main camera sensor, a megapixel downgrade from the 64MP sensor in the previous Reno11 F 5G model.
However, the new sensor is physically larger, with an aperture of f/1.8 (versus f/1.7 in the Reno11 F 5G). This larger sensor size allows the Reno12 F 5G to capture more light, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
The inclusion of optical image stabilization (OIS) is another notable upgrade. By compensating for hand shake, OIS helps to reduce blur and improve sharpness in photos, further enhancing the camera’s performance.
Zoomed-in shots taken with the 2x digital zoom (cropped from the main sensor) maintain good quality in well-lit environments thanks to the larger sensor and OIS.
The 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro cameras remain unchanged from the previous model. While the ultrawide performs adequately, the low-resolution macro camera continues to produce underwhelming results and feels out of place in a 2024 smartphone.
It would have been better to replace the macro with a dedicated telephoto lens for improved zoom capabilities.
The 32MP selfie camera takes sharp, detailed self-portraits. However, even with the beauty mode turned off, the final images still exhibit a slightly smoothed, “beautified” look that disproportionately favors lighter skin tones.
Don’t mind my tired looking face 😂, but you see how my face looks washed out and white-ish? Beauty mode was turned off when taking the selfies!
This is an issue that OPPO will need to address in future Reno models, as it can make some users feel self-conscious about their appearance.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G: Battery Performance
The Reno12 F 5G is equipped with a large 5000mAh battery that easily lasts a day and a half under normal usage. In testing, the battery performance was consistently strong, providing ample runtime for gaming, video playback, and other demanding tasks.
The phone also supports 45W fast charging, which fills the battery from 0 to 100% in around 70 minutes. This is a significant improvement over slower charging solutions and helps to minimize downtime when the device needs a power boost.
OPPO claims the battery is optimized to maintain peak performance for over four years of regular use, thanks to improvements made to the anode and cathode structure. While this suggests good long-term battery health, the real-world longevity will need to be evaluated over the device’s lifespan.
Nonetheless, the Reno12 F 5G’s battery life and fast charging capabilities are definite strengths of the device.
Conclusion
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G offers a couple of upgrades over the previous Reno11 F 5G model. And the fact that it is priced around the same price as the Reno11 F, make it a compelling option for consumers.
The improvements to the camera system, battery life, and charging speeds are noteworthy and help set the Reno12 F 5G apart.
However, OPPO still has work to do to make the Reno12 F 5G truly stand out against competing devices in the same price range. While the phone does offer some compelling AI-powered features, rivals like the Samsung Galaxy A35 and A55 provide similar functionality at slightly lower price points.
To further differentiate the Reno12 F 5G, OPPO may need to either enhance the overall feature set or adjust the pricing to better align with the value proposition.
Nonetheless, the Reno12 F 5G remains a solid mid-range offering that should appeal to those seeking an affordable 5G-enabled smartphone with a capable camera and battery life.
