Oppo Reno 8 Review: Need A Touch-Up To The Price List

Oppo Reno 8 was presented over a month ago now. After reviewing the big brother Reno 8 Pro (you can find the written review here and the video, instead, at this link ), an excellent device with a spectacular design but proposed at an excessive price, we were very interested in the family median ( which also includes Reno 8 Lite ), given that on paper it promised few waivers at a much lower price. What happened then? We will tell you about it in this written review!

Unboxing

The package includes the following:

The phone
Type C cable
80W power supply
SIM extractor
Pre-applied film

Aesthetics And Materials

Reno 8 substantially continues the style introduced with Reno 8 Pro, with a fused bump with the rear body (as also seen on the flagships of the house) of generous dimensions, as if to shout to the world the photographic vocation of this device. Aesthetically, it cannot be denied that it has succeeded, although the presence of different materials compared to Reno 8 Pro (here, we have polycarbonate everywhere) gives it a pleasant but not premium appearance. We reiterate that no conventionally more valuable materials such as glass and aluminum are not a problem. Still, the overall feel to the touch is undoubtedly that of a relatively cheap product.

Battery And Connectivity

To have a speedy recharge (80W, which guarantees the complete recharge of the device in half an hour), Reno 8 also opted for the dual battery solution so that the recharge does not generate heat and does not wear out the battery. Expected degradation over time. Oppo claims a rather long life (1600 cycles). Autonomy is excellent in practically any type of use. Consumption seems constant even on the move or while using the camera, thus ensuring the possibility of ending the day in many scenarios. The reception is excellent, with fast cell change, a stable wi-fi network, and Bluetooth.

Display, Vibration, Audio, And Sensors

Oppo has focused on an OLED panel with a 90 Hz refresh (not adaptive). The front has a slightly pronounced chin, while the rest of the bezels are average, as is the average sampling of the touch screen up to 180 Hz. The maximum brightness is not high but sufficient for pleasant use. Perhaps more could be asked for in this regard. The display also integrates an excellent fingerprint reader, which is fast enough and accurate. We cannot instead promote the vibration, which follows the trend already seen in the Reno 7, Reno 8 Lite, and Find X5 Lite. The vibration motor is of the traditional type, non-linear on the Z axis, an aspect on which someone might turn up their nose, even in the light of the competition. Although the sound pressure is sufficient, the audio (mono) is also revisable, being a little exhausted in the low and medium frequencies.

Software And Performance

The Color OS is proposed in version 12.1, based on Android 12, and with September patches (which arrived during the test). There are all the features we find in the mid-range of Oppo and the customization possibilities offered by the Color OS, which is confirmed as an excellent interface, rich but not heavy, customizable but not complicated to use. We found no bugs in daily use. Some things may or may not be liked, but tastes are outside the realm of objectivity. The general fluidity is also excellent; the Density 1300 runs very well (among other things, with relatively low consumption) and guarantees a high-level user experience.

Photo And Video

Oppo has focused heavily on the primary and front cameras, using two high-end sensors. For the primary camera, we have the very popular IMX766, always very popular (but on Reno 8 without optical stabilization), flanked by an 8 MP Omnivision ultrawide and the negligible 2 MP macro, while for the front, the excellent IMX709. Exactly like Reno 8 Pro (but here without autofocus). This sensor results from the collaboration between Oppo and Sony, giving selfies a superb quality. Compared to the Reno 8 Pro, the Marisilicon X chip is also missing an image processor developed in-house specializing in night photography and reducing background noise in videos in low light conditions.

How does Reno 8 behave? Well, with the primary camera and the front, the detail is there, the contrasts are always valid, and even the dynamic range management convinces. Reno 8 Pro (possibly thanks to the Verisilicon) had an edge in night shots, but Reno 8 also defended itself. Even videos with a lot of light do well; the stabilization and the focus are fast enough. Things get a little complicated in the evening, and the videos get mixed up more than they should. However, this is quite normal in the mid-range. The features offered by the camera app are the classic Oppo mediums, including a video with a dual view, pro mode, and slow motion that on the primary camera reaches 240fps at 720p. In conclusion, if Oppo had focused on the photographic sector, we can undoubtedly say that it would have succeeded,

Photo Gallery

Price And Conclusions

The price list is straightforward: € 599.99 with the Enco Free and the cover for free. A bundle that sweetens the price list but perhaps not enough. A few compromises are too many for a device with some cards to play. The battery life is excellent, and the primary camera convinces me significantly. However, some design choices are not convincing, such as the “classic” vibration motor, the single speaker, and a different touch and feel to what Oppo has always accustomed us to. Let’s think of Reno 6 Pro, still a gem, to stay in the Oppo house. With the right offer, however, it has what it takes to enter the recommended devices if you are looking for a device of undoubted reliability and with an excellent photographic sector.