The new Reno 12 F can intrigue. Especially considering what chips went to an inexpensive smartphone. He received a backlight around the camera block, a shockproof body, and an impressive amount of memory.
The OPPO Reno12 F, a new addition to the popular Reno series, was officially launched in Russia on August 13, 2024. It comes in two storage variants: 256GB, priced at 22,999 rubles, and 512GB, priced at 25,999 rubles. The Reno12 F is a noteworthy contender in the budget smartphone market, offering a blend of style, durability, and performance. In this review, we’ll explore its design, display, performance, camera, and battery life to determine if it’s worth the investment.
| Display | 6.67 inches, OLED, 2400 × 1080, 120 Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 |
| Memory | 8 GB of RAM 256 ROM |
| Main camera | Main module — 50 MP; Ultra-wide — 8 MP; Macro — 2 MP. |
| Front camera | 32 mp |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, wire charge 45 W |
| OS | Android 14 running ColorOS 14.0 |
| Corps | 163.1 × 75.8 × 7.7 mm, weight 187 g |
Design and Build Quality
The OPPO Reno12 F immediately impresses with its design and build quality. From the moment you hold it, the smartphone feels solid and well-constructed. Its matte back cover resists fingerprints, and the emerald green color gives it a luxurious look reminiscent of the calm waters of the Aegean or Andaman seas. This sleek design not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also contributes to its durability.
The smartphone’s large camera block is integrated smoothly into the design, avoiding any protrusions that might cause discomfort when carrying it in a pocket. The flat, glossy side edges, while elegant, do attract fingerprints, contrasting with the clean matte finish of the back cover. The device features a dual SIM slot at the bottom, allowing users to add a microSD card at the expense of the second SIM card. The presence of stereo speakers adds to the overall multimedia experience.
A unique feature of the Reno12 F is its customizable camera block backlight. This multicolored light can be set to various colors, like yellow or blue, offering a touch of personalization. Although it’s not as multifunctional as the lighting system on the Nothing Phone 2, it provides useful notifications for charging and incoming calls.
The build quality of the OPPO Reno12 F is enhanced by its IP64 dust and water resistance certification and a 5-star reliability rating from SGS Switzerland. While this doesn’t mean the phone can withstand extreme conditions, it does offer reassurance against everyday wear and tear. In a test where I used the phone to crack walnuts, the screen held up surprisingly well, demonstrating its durability.
Display
The OPPO Reno12 F features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The screen delivers smooth animations and scrolling, with an option to switch to a 60 Hz refresh rate to conserve battery life. The AMOLED technology provides deep blacks, excellent contrast, rich color reproduction, and good viewing angles. The display’s calibration appears accurate, with no noticeable color shifts, and white tones look natural.
The fingerprint scanner is located under the display. While it has a large sensor area, its performance can be inconsistent. I experienced occasional misreads, which were resolved by removing the protective film from the screen. While the sensor’s performance is adequate for a budget device, it’s not as responsive as those found in higher-end models.
The screen’s peak brightness reaches 1100 nits, making it sufficiently bright for outdoor use. Although flagship models offer even higher brightness levels, the Reno 12 F’s brightness is more than adequate for everyday tasks. Additionally, the display supports Splash Touch, allowing for full functionality even with a wet screen. This feature is particularly useful in various weather conditions.
The screen is protected by DT Star glass and framed by an AM03 alloy frame, enhancing its impact resistance. The Reno12 F’s display withstands rough handling, including the walnut-cracking test, reflecting its robustness.
Performance
Under the hood, the OPPO Reno12 F is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chipset, coupled with 8 GB of RAM. The internal storage options include 256 GB and 512 GB, providing ample space for users. The Snapdragon 685, featuring 4 Cortex-A73 cores and 4 Cortex-A53 cores, along with the Adreno 610 GPU, is designed for budget smartphones. Consequently, the Reno12 F delivers satisfactory performance for daily tasks and light gaming.
In synthetic benchmarks, the Reno12 F produced the following scores:
- Geekbench 6 (Single-Core): 476
- Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core): 1589
- AnTuTu: 320,972
These scores indicate that the Reno12 F is well-suited for routine activities such as using social media, messaging, video streaming, and navigation. While it performs well in everyday scenarios, gamers seeking high performance for demanding games like Diablo Immortal may need to consider more powerful alternatives.
Camera
The camera setup of the OPPO Reno12 F includes a 50 MP main sensor, an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a macro sensor. The main sensor performs admirably, capturing vibrant and sharp images with minimal color distortion. The post-processing algorithms enhance photos by improving shadows, sharpness, and contrast. Despite its lack of optical stabilization, the camera handles most scenes effectively.
The ultra-wide-angle lens offers a broader perspective but is typical of its class. It provides decent performance for capturing wide scenes, though edge sharpness is compromised. The macro sensor is less impressive, with modest resolution and quality, typical for smartphones in this price range.
The night mode, available on the main camera, takes multiple exposures and combines them into a single shot. This feature allows the Reno12 F to capture detailed images even in low-light conditions, though some color distortion and loss of depth may occur. The camera excels in making details discernible in challenging lighting.
Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second, a standard feature for budget smartphones. The Reno12 F lacks advanced video capabilities such as 2K resolution or electronic stabilization, which are expected in higher-priced models. The video quality is acceptable but not exceptional.
Battery Life
The OPPO Reno12 F is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which is standard for its class. The battery life is impressive, especially with the efficient Snapdragon 685 processor and optimized software. For typical usage, including calls, messaging, light app usage, and occasional video watching, the smartphone can last up to a day and a half on a single charge. With the screen refresh rate set to 60 Hz and power-saving features enabled, the battery life can extend to two days.
The Reno12 F supports 45W wired SUPERVOOC charging, which is competitive but not the fastest available. A full charge takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. While not the quickest charging option, it is reasonable given the phone’s price.
Conclusion: Is the OPPO Reno 12 F Worth Buying?
In the 20,000 to 30,000 rubles price range, the OPPO Reno12 F stands out as an attractive option. It offers a stylish design, durable build, customizable backlight, and decent battery life. The 512 GB storage option is a noteworthy feature in this segment.
However, there are some drawbacks, including inconsistent fingerprint sensor performance, average auxiliary cameras, limited video capabilities, and modest overall performance. Despite these issues, the Reno12 F provides good value for its price, particularly for users who prioritize design, durability, and everyday functionality.
The OPPO Reno12 F is well-suited for students, young professionals, and those seeking a reliable and stylish device. It is also a good choice for individuals who frequently drop their phones or work in challenging environments. While there are many competitors in this price segment, the Reno 12 F’s unique features and robust build make it a compelling choice. It’s worth considering, especially if the price drops after the initial launch.
In summary, the OPPO Reno12 F is a solid budget smartphone with a mix of appealing features and a few limitations. It offers a durable, stylish option for users who need a reliable device without breaking the bank.