The OPPO Reno 8: A Mid-Range Marvel or a Missed Opportunity?
The mid-range smartphone market is a fiercely contested arena, and OPPO’s Reno series has consistently aimed to carve out a significant slice. The OPPO Reno 8, the latest iteration, promises a blend of stylish design, capable performance, and impressive camera capabilities. But in a landscape saturated with compelling alternatives, does the Reno 8 truly stand out? Let’s delve into a comprehensive analysis of this device, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.
The Reno 8 continues the series’ tradition of prioritizing aesthetics. It sports a sleek, minimalist design with a flat frame and a subtly curved back, reminiscent of its predecessors. The “Shimmer Gold” variant, in particular, catches the eye with its shimmering, gradient finish, offering a premium look and feel.
Material Quality and Ergonomics

The device feels solid and well-built, thanks to its durable materials. The rear panel, while glossy, is surprisingly resistant to fingerprints.
Display: Vibrant Visuals with a Smooth Refresh Rate
The Reno 8 boasts a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations.
Under the hood, the Reno 8 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This configuration provides sufficient power for everyday tasks, such as browsing, social media, and video streaming.
Everyday Performance and Multitasking

The device handles everyday tasks smoothly and efficiently, with minimal lag or stuttering.
Gaming Performance
While the Reno 8 can handle casual gaming, it’s not a dedicated gaming device. Demanding titles may require lower graphics settings to maintain smooth frame rates.
The Reno 8’s camera system is a key selling point, featuring a triple-lens setup on the rear. The primary sensor is a 50MP Sony IMX766, accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro lens.
Image Quality and Performance

The primary sensor captures detailed and vibrant images in daylight conditions, with accurate color reproduction and good dynamic range.
Low-Light Photography
The Reno 8’s low-light performance is decent, thanks to the large sensor and AI-powered night mode.
Front Camera and Video Capabilities
The 32MP front camera captures detailed selfies with accurate skin tones.
The Reno 8 runs on OPPO’s ColorOS 12.1, based on Android 12. ColorOS offers a clean and customizable interface, with a plethora of features and customization options.
User Interface and Features
ColorOS 12.1 is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a clean and modern design.
Bloatware and Updates
The Reno 8 comes with some pre-installed bloatware, but most of it can be uninstalled.
The Reno 8 is powered by a 4500mAh battery, which provides reliable battery life for a full day of moderate use. The device also supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, allowing for rapid charging speeds.
Battery Performance
The 4500mAh battery provides sufficient battery life for a full day of moderate use, including browsing, social media, and video streaming.
Charging Speed
The 80W SuperVOOC fast charging technology allows for extremely fast charging speeds.
The Reno 8 offers standard connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. The device also features an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock.
Connectivity Options
The Reno 8 supports 5G connectivity, providing fast download and upload speeds.
Other Features
The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable.
The OPPO Reno 8 is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a blend of stylish design, capable performance, and impressive camera capabilities. Its strengths lie in its sleek aesthetics, vibrant display, fast charging, and reliable battery life. However, its gaming performance is average, and the ultrawide and macro lenses could be improved.
Target Audience and Competition
The Reno 8 is targeted at users who prioritize design, camera capabilities, and fast charging.
Final Verdict
The OPPO Reno 8 is a good mid-range smartphone, but it faces stiff competition.