OPPO Reno5 review: the most beautiful mid-range smartphone you can buy in 2021

OPPO has launched the OPPO Reno 5 and OPPO Reno 5F in Nigeria and both of them have come visiting us here at MobilityArena. There are 5G and 4G versions of the Reno5 but the version launched here is the 4G variant. This OPPO Reno5 review is the first result of our time with these two mid-range smartphones. 

The Reno5 instantly wins you over with its looks. But, as we quickly found out, it is a capable smartphone that is a joy to carry around and use every day. What does it offer? That is what this review unveils. 

OPPO Reno5 Review: Quick Specs

• Operating System: Android 11 + ColorOS 11.1
• Network Support: 2G/3G/4G
• Display: 6.43 inches, FHD+ (1080×2400 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio, 90Hz screen refresh rate, up to 180 Hz touch sampling rate, single punch hole, AMOLED display, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
• Selfie Camera: 44 MP
• Rear camera: 64 MP main lens + 8 MP ultrawide lens + 2 MP macro lens + 2MP depth sensor, auto-focus, LED flash, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps video recording
• RAM: 8 GB
• ROM: 128 GB
• Battery: 4310 mAh.
• Charging: 50W VOOC Flash Charge 4.0 fast charging

OPPO Reno5 Review: In the box

In the sales box are the following items:

• OPPO Reno5 smartphone itself
• Paper documentation
• Transparent rubber silicone case
• 3.5mm audio headphones
• USB-C connecting cable
• 50W VOOC Flash Charge 4.0 wall charging adaptor

OPPO Reno5 Review: Hardware and Design

OPPO Reno5 comes in two colour options – Starry Black and Fantasy Silver. Our review unit has the latter colour option, and – my oh my – it is such a stunning one. This is one of the most beautiful smartphones ever.

One of the traits of the colour scheme is that, depending on the angle you hold it, you see it appear in different colours. It is a beauty to see. OPPO says this was made possible by a new process called Diamond Spectrum.

In the hand, the back panel has a matte finish as well, making it more resistant to fingerprint trails.

Beyond the stunning colour job and matte feel, the Reno5 is slim and lightweight. I am a huge fan of lightweight and slim smartphones, and the Reno5 feels just perfect in my hand.

Here is a 360-degree view short video:

OPPO Reno5 Review: Software

Out of the box, OPPO Reno 5 runs ColorOS 11.1, which is based on Android 11. ColorOS is OPPO’s custom user interface for their Android smartphones. It is one of the most refined and smoothest in the market. Like all other Android skins, it comes with added features to enhance the user experience.

So we get it out of the way, there is Dark Mode, and you can fix it manually, or set it to auto-switch so it comes on and goes off at sunset and sunrise respectively, using your location info. It also gives you the ability to customise display options for your eye comfort, screen colour temperature, and more.

Always-on display is available for you to enable or disable as you desire. There are a few more nify features that users should find intriguing. These include:

Smart Air Control: This is a form of gestures that allows you to interact with the phone without touching it. You can scroll up and down, as well as answer, mute, and end calls just with various motions of your hand over the phone. It takes some getting used to though, as you have to learn and practice the gestures many times to get it right, but using a phone doesn’t get cooler than this.

Flex Drop: This enables users to keep an app in view either full screen or as a small floating window. You can interact with the app when in full view, but only view when in the smaller mini-window mode.

Three Finger Translate with Google lens: This feature helps users quickly translate text on screen by just performing a screenshot with 3 fingers. You can also call up the Smart Sidebar to translate all content on the phone.

ColorOS has been big on privacy for a while. And now, with Android 11, it does even more. It notifies you when an app wants access to use a service, like your location, or to access your Contacts, etc. You can then decline or grant the permission.

Also, you can lock apps, hide apps, as well as create a Private Safe to keep items and sensitive information securely. Kid Space is also built in, so if you have children and have to give your phone to them, they can be given restricted access in a child-friendly space.

OPPO built a fancy but also useful feature called Edge lighting into the Reno5. When you get a message or call or some other service, the edge of the display lights up all round to notify you.

OPPO Reno5 Review: Network and Telephony

As already stated, this version of the Reno5 lacks 5G support and supports only 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile networks.

Telephony is very good on this device. It holds on to a network signal well and the audio experience is deep and clear. Voices are clear at both ends of the phone conversations. Of course, telephone calls are dependent on not just one phone, but also the phone at the other end, as well as the network(s) involved.

OPPO Reno5 Review: Display and Multimedia

The Reno5 has an AMOLED display, and that is a good thing. Everything looks great. Beyond that though is the option to use the display in 90Hz refresh rate mode. This is higher than the standrad 60Hz refresh rate that the average smartphone uses.

Are there any benefits and practical differences in the experience? Yes; there are. In 90Hz mode, the display runs smoother, especially when scrolling or playing high intensity games that require split second responses. You will aslo notice the difference in some videos.

Not every app currently supports 90Hz refresh rate yet, so the difference is not noticed in those. But, having 90Hz rate is a lovely bonus to a phone that already shines brightly in every other way.

What is music playback on teh OPPO Reno5 like? It is of good quality and it is loud. In terms of quality, the loudpseakers do not have as much bass as I’d like and it isn’t the loudest I have heard in the price range, but it is good enough.

It does deliver an even better audio experience when I listened to music over a solid pair of headphones. Using it with the Enco W11 wireless earbuds was dope.

OPPO Reno5 Review: Photography

For photography and video recording, the Reno5 has a 44-megapixel camera located in a punch hole on the display. It shoots standard, as well as portrait, selfies. Portrait selfies and videos can also be shot in enhanced mode, thanks to an AI Colour Portrait mode.

At the back of the phone is a quad-camera featuring a 64 MP main lens, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, a 2 MP macro lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor. There is an LED flash for low-light photos, and the camera records up to 4K quality video.

Similar to the front camera, the back camera also offers AI Colour Portrait mode, which turns your background into grayscale while leaving the foreground object in full colour. This is available for both photographs and video recording.

Below are sample shots from both the front camera and the main camera at the back.

First of all, selfie shots:

The above photo is a standard selfie shot in good daylight.

And here (above), we have a selfie in AI Colour Portrait. Same location.

This third selfie is in regular portrait mode.

And then sample photos from the main camera:

Let’s kick off with the fun stuff. The back camera has an interesting feature called Night Flare Portrait. In this mode, the camera creates a flare-like portrait by adding blurred light effects to the background while leaving the foreground object in focus.

Night Flare Portrait is perfect for night scenes in which there are bright lights in the background. For example, a party or dance club setting, but you can get interesting results with it as well during the day.

It is available only in the main camera. Switch to Portrait Mode, then open Filters, and select Neon Portrait.

Photography on the Reno5 is fun, and today’s upwardly mobile young people who love to share selfies on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, as well as on their WhatsApp status, will enjoy a phone with these kinds of features.

OPPO Reno5 Review: Multitasking and Performance

With a top performing mid-range chip like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G and 8GB of RAM, I wasn’t expecting anything less than smooth performance from the Reno5. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint.

Internal storage is 128GB, which is more than adequate for most smartphone users on planet Earth – and probably anyone on Mars too.

OPPO Reno5 Review: Battery life

The 4310mAh battery capacity is quite adequate and provides a day of moderate usage. Intense usage will have you needing to plug it in before the day is over.

Luckily, topping up the Reno5 is super-fast. The 50W VOOC Flash Charge 4.0 fast charging technology and the supplied charger bring the phone from 0 to 100% charge in 58 minutes.

Once, I had to charge the phone from 38% just before dashing out and I got a full battery in less than 30 minutes. That is great convenience for busy people. Who wants to sit around and wait for a phone to charge for hours any more?

OPPO Reno5 Review: Final Words

OPPO Reno5 makes a stunning statement with its neat design lines and distinctive shimmering back panel and is a joy to use in everyday scenarios. It will win your heart over at first sight and keep it warm and beating long after the first experience.

Here is a summary of its sterling qualities:

• Stunning design and build
• Slim and lightweight
• Sharp and beautiful display
• Creative photography features
• Super fast battery charging

The OPPO Reno5 smartphone is highly recommended for everyone looking to spice up their smartphone experience without spending on a premium flagship.

Pricing and Availability

The Reno5 is priced at ₦169,000 and will be on pre-order till 21st of March, 2021. The Reno5 comes with a FREE Enco W31 priced at ₦19,900 when you pre-order. For more information, visit www.oppo.com/ng. You can pre-order this device on https://www.jumia.com.ng/mlp-oppo-store/ or in any retail outlet nationwide.

Other OPPO Reno5 Resources

• OPPO Reno5 Specs

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Author: Mister Mobility

Master storyteller and founder of Mobility Nigeria, Mister Mobility, has used and reviewed hundreds of mobile phones since 2001.