OPPO Reno8 first impressions – Unmatched Mid-Range Visual Quality

TechStomper reviewed OPPO Reno8 Pro 5G just a couple of weeks ago. We loved how the company brought some of the best features from their flagship devices to a more affordable form. We lauded the flagship level of build quality and waxed lyrical about a bold visual style befitting a much more expensive device.

OPPO’s tack on Reno8 Series is interesting. There is around €200 difference between OPPO Reno8 5G and the Pro model, meaning the former is more a mid-range device than the sub-premium niche of the latter.

Object of Beauty

Out of the box, our Glimmer Black offers a lot of the impressive build and visual quality of the ‘Pro’ model. The marriage of straight lines and defined edges with curves and softened angles is bold but balanced.

OPPO Reno8 is a glass sandwich with tightly machined details to give it some identity. The chamfered edges soften the monolithic look and join with the centrepiece lens island.

Read More: OPPO Reno8 Pro long-term review – Capable, Compelling Style

The island features a moulded micro arc and organically rises from the device rear, dominating this angle. The twin-lens on this meticulously machined island is a delightful dominant detail.

This island also features two round corners and two sharp corners, the matching cuts sitting opposite each other on the arrangement.

How the chamfer rises to meet top edge is some neat attention to detail. Like Reno8 Pro, Reno8’s looks benefits from the choice to counter the glassy front with a frosted aluminium edge frame. The frosted aluminium edge almost blends into the rear at certain angles.

The Glimmer element of our Glimmer Black review model is provided by a lightly sparkling inset in the frosted rear. This sparkles and teases a near-navy hue as the light meets its fine frosting. It gives the phone a shy glamour that is usually reserved for premium devices.

The other model, Glimmer Gold is a louder choice by default, but a rainbow iridescence adds some sparkle to that model.

Svelte and Secure

At 179g and 7.67mm thick, the 6.4″ displayed device feels solid and slim. The unibody design with its surrounding frosted aluminium edge feels rugged in the hand. The textured rear of the device resists fingerprints admirably but also adds to the grip.

Read More: OPPO ColorOS 13 Launches with Rollout Plan for 60+ Devices

OPPO Reno8 is easy to hold onto despite its sandwich form. The textured rear, chamfered edges and frosted aluminium frame keep it in the hand. The device is nicely balanced for one-handed use.

Bright-Eyed

The 6.4″ AMOLED display is sharp at 1,080 x 2,000 pixels and features impressive brightness. While the device lacks a 10-bit colour display, the brightness and contrast still give a higher-end look to the screen. Saturation is high out of the box but a quick change to ‘Natural’ mode gives the colours a pleasing realism.

The slim bezels, high screen-to-body ratio and choice of flat panel help the display pop from OPPO Reno8 5G.

Smooth Operator

Though OPPO Reno8 5G comes at a mid-range price, it packs enough power flawlessly handle everyday tasks and fares well while gaming, too. 8GB of RAM is enough to multitask large apps and seamlessly switch between them.

Read more: OPPO Find X5 Pro 5G review – Divine Design Meets Charging Wizardry

One interesting feature at this price is the ability to add to the RAM using the phone’s storage memory. A user can add up to 5GB of RAM to the device, nice piece of mind for working memory hogs.

Reno8 Charging Innovation

OPPO Reno8 5G features the company’s innovative Battery Health Engine. OPPO say this allows the device to reach 1,600 charging cycles, double the current average lifetime of a smartphone battery. On one charge per day, that’s over four years of use with 80% of the original capacity remaining.

OPPO Reno8 5G also features the latest 80W SuperVOOC wired charging as seen on OPPO Find X5 and Find X5 Pro. With the supplied charger, users can charge from 0 to 50% in around 10 minutes, and from 0-100% in around 40 minutes.

Such useful innovation in a mid-range device is quite a boast. OPPO electing to bring high-end features like the Health Engine and SuperVOOC 2.0 to a device at this price will no doubt sell some phones.

Specifications – OPPO Reno8 5G (EU)

Reno8 5G is available now at €529 pre-pay on Tesco Mobile or with Eir at €449.99 on pre-pay. With Eir, OPPO Reno8 5G is free on all billpay plans once you switch to the network.

Review model provided by PR