OPPO continues to strengthen its presence in shop windows without resorting to aggressive pricing. In return, it offers interesting features like some of the ones we see in the OPPO Reno6 Pro 5G review .
This mobile is placed in that mid-semi-high range whose appearance has favored the line of Qualcomm processors that is among the most powerful for the mid-range (700 series) and the most powerful of the high (800 series), which in this case is accompanied by a telephoto lens and 12 GB of RAM among other aspects. Let’s see what the experience with him is like.
OPPO Reno6 Pro 5G datasheet
- DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 160 x 72.5 x 7.99 mm 188 grams
- SCREEN AMOLED 6.55-inch curve FullHD + resolution (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) 402 dpi Refresh rate: 90 Hz Sampling rate: 180 Hz 100% DCI-P3 Up to 800 nits Gorilla Glass 5
- PROCESSOR Snapdragon 870 GPU Adreno 650
- RAM 12 GB LPDDR4x
- INTERNAL STORAGE 256 GB UFS 3.1 REAR
- CAMERA 50 MP f / 1.8 Wide angle 16 MP f / 2.2 Macro 2 MP f / 2.4 Telephoto 13 MP
- FRONT CAMERA 32 MP f / 2.4
- BATTERY 4,500 mAh Fast charge 65W OS Android 11 with ColorOS 11.3
- CONNECTIVITY 5G NSA / SA 4G Dual SIM WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 GPS NFC USB Type C
- OTHERS Fingerprint reader under the screen
- PRICE $930.44
Design: As a child, he fell into a glitter kettle
There is little apparent change from the OPPO Reno5 Pro to its predecessor at the design level. The Reno6 Pro is a mobile that fits in dimensions in current trends, being tall and bulky, but not more than expected. It does not reach 200 grams.
With this weight and dimensions, it is not heavy and it is comfortable, especially since it is not too wide. The gloss-finished edges are thin with a curved back and screen, but this doesn’t make the grip any less pleasant.
The back has a slightly discreet shine and perhaps seeks to attract a more youthful and daring public, being built in plastic and giving a feeling of quality in material and construction. This finish has the advantage of not getting dirty at all, although it is quite slippery. The brand delivers a transparent cover that is non-slip and rounds the edges a little more while matching the thickness with the camera module, which protrudes a lot (without actually creating a sway).
The SIM tray is located at the base, next to the main speaker and the USB type C. There is no audio minijack and we see the three usual physical buttons for power and volume, each type on one side of the mobile, being in a location correct to be achievable.
As we have already mentioned, we see a front with curves on the sides, which helps to achieve a feeling of “all-screen” next to the hole for the front camera. This is in the upper left corner, seeing in the center of that area a secondary speaker/headphone placed very discreetly between the screen and the edge.
Screen: meeting minimums and curving sides
In this mobile we see a 6.55-inch AMOLED panel with a FullHD + resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 pixels, thus having a density of 402 pixels per inch. These are values ​​that fit the most frequently used in mid-range mobiles closest to the high-end or more conformist high-end mobiles, for giving a correct experience without requiring (possibly) a greater investment (and energy requirement) to have a greater resolution, density, and/or refresh rate.
This is true and the OPPO Reno6 Pro offers a good visual experience whatever the content. Touch sensitivity and calibration are correct, with a good degree of contrast and a balanced factory temperature, although we can adjust this parameter to our liking in the screen settings .
Here we see the option to choose the screen color mode, the “soft” option (sRGB) being somewhat more natural as it does not reach the “intense” oversaturation. Here it is also convenient to activate the video color enhancer, which is not going to be something miraculous, but it does accentuate the contrast and color a little more in the videos.
The refresh rate reaches 90 Hz, which is not strictly conventional but does not reach the 120 Hz that seems to settle at least in the most ambitious smartphones (even the always conservative Apple phones). It is noticeable at the level of fluidity in general, with a level that should be the standard one due to the theoretical power of the hardware but that we do not see if we leave it at the traditional 60 Hz. Later we will talk about the influence on autonomy, but the level of experience of use will compensate to leave it at 90 Hz.
The maximum brightness is more than enough (800 theoretical nits), having a good visualization in this sense in any room. The automatic brightness adjustment also works well, reacting well to changes in the environment.
As for the options provided by the software, we see that there are enough resources to customize the home screen , as well as handling, being able to establish navigation by gestures and without the curvature having a negative influence at this level. It also includes particularities of the software layer such as the gesture to show icons, which is an aid to be able to use the mobile with one hand, or the gestures on the screen off (common in both ColorOS and Realme UI).
The curvature of the panel does not offer any addition per se beyond aesthetics. It may seem more or less attractive according to our tastes, but at least it does not provoke ghost touches or a malfunction of the “back” gesture. Of course, as usual, depending on how we see the mobile we can see the shadows that the curvature projects on the sides, something that is not a drama but that we do not see in flat panels.
The hole for the front camera does not interfere with the games or full-screen apps that we have tested. It makes the taskbar taller than necessary, but it is also not more than what we usually see with this approach in general.
Performance: no failure or heating issues
The OPPO Reno6 Pro has the Snapdragon 870 with 12 GB and 256 GB (UFS 3.1) as the only option for memory. With this, the mobile provides a good experience with demanding software, without seeing striking or unusual increases in temperature.
Software: options, options, bloatware and options
Waiting for ColorOS 12 to reach the brand’s mobiles, OPPO installs the latest public version of its software to the Reno6 Pro, being ColorOS 11.3 on Android 11 .
The system comes from the factory with some bloatware . It gives the impression that this practice is decreasing in general, but in this case we still see apps like Facebook or Booking, in addition to all those of Google and its own utilities, although they can be eliminated.
The OPPO software, increasingly closer to that of the Realme, is one of the layers that gives more customization options , as we have already introduced in the screen section. In this case, in addition, the option to illuminate the edges is added, to give something more useful to the curvature of the screen.
It also incorporates the usual game mode , which in this case provides some shortcuts and information such as the temperature on the side of the screen (hidden in a tab). It is not one of the most specific that we have seen, but it does have a series of customization in terms of notifications and some functions that those who prefer to have a distraction-free experience with the games will be able to appreciate.
Besides being complete, the software is stable and works correctly, without appreciating bugs or errors. It is true that in some animation we can see a slight stoppage and that in that sense it may need some optimization, but it is something anecdotal that many users may not perceive.
As for the biometric options , we see that the Reno6 Pro fits into the usual and that it has facial recognition and fingerprint reader, which is placed on the screen. The experience with both systems is correct and we have not detected problems, being effective unlocks in most cases. Face reading does not work in the dark, but we can use a support light or the always-active fingerprint reader, which is also very efficient.
Cameras: the night unbalances a promising result
One of the things that makes sense of the Pro surname over the base Reno6 is the choice of cameras. Although we see a lower resolution sensor, the Pro incorporates a telephoto lens and optical stabilization in the main camera , additions that we usually see when the manufacturer seeks to give something more complete in photography. This is the composition of lenses and sensors:
- 50 megapixel Sony IMX766 main sensor with OIS and lens with f / 1.8 aperture.
- 16 megapixel Sony IMX481 wide angle lens with f / 2.2 aperture and 119 degrees field of view.
- Telephoto lens with 13 megapixel Samsung S5K3M5 sensor with f / 2.4 aperture lens and 2x optical zoom.
- OmniVISION OV02B10 2 megapixel macro sensor with f / 2.4 aperture lens.
Camera app
The OPPO application does not leave a single loose end when it comes to taking advantage of that camera equipment that we have just reviewed. It has an automatic mode to choose between the tele, the wide angle and the main one, with manual or automatic HDR, and the usual (and of questionable utility) AI button.
Something that is not usual is that manual or automatic HDR can also be applied to 50 megapixels . To shoot with them there is no mode like portrait or night mode, but you have to display the options at the top.
There are tabs for portrait mode, night mode, video and others, and you can customize them. Macro mode is one of these.
The app works correctly and we do not see that there is lag or any anomalous behavior. It has the most common options and those that somewhat more demanding users can look for, with comfortable navigation for both the photo and video options.
Rear cameras
The main camera of the OPPO Reno6 Pro is quite off-road and tends to be successful in most situations. Auto shooting already has a good dynamic range and realistic colorimetry, without pulling oversaturation and with a correct white balance, although HDR is a good resource for backlighting.
This HDR can be a support or something not to recommend depending on the lens and the situation. Without too much demand we will not see changes in any of the lenses, but in the backlights with abundant light we can see a somewhat forced result (oversaturated, although without much penalty). When it is better to avoid it is at night / poorly lit interiors in the three lenses, especially in the wide angle, seeing much more noise than in the automatic.
Speaking of night mode , what we see is that it is another resource to consider in only certain scenes and not so much because it is at night (or almost at night). This mode does not interpret highlights and shadows very well if there is abundant enough light for the automatic to defend itself without blurring much and without invading noise scenes, which in the main lens is in fewer cases than we could expect .
Therefore, it will be recommended in very low light situations, where you do have to escape the noise and above all we want to save the contours a little better. In fact, indoors with medium lighting it will be better to resort to 50 megapixels than to night mode (and above all to HDR).
The 50 megapixels can benefit from HDR, although as in automatic mode the dynamic range is correct if the situation is not particularly demanding in this regard. We will be able to get a little more detail when cropping in situations where the sharpness is less, without miracles.
As for the wide angle , we see positive aspects such as the fact that there are no changes in colorimetry or white balance. As always happens, the sharpness is lower, but it is something that under favorable conditions is only seen when enlarging.
The telephoto lens gives us a good 2x optical zoom and a higher magnification digital that also saves the situation well, with less sharpness but without blurring too much. Even at night the performance is very correct.
The macro shot is always the resource, perhaps fashion these days, in this case thanks a 5 megapixel sensor versus usual and conformist bet of 2 megapixels. Although we have already seen that the wide angle is too much and enough to make good macro, as it happens in the ASUS Zenfone 8 or the iPhone 13 Pro , and that normally the main lens has a larger aperture and, therefore, can give us photos in close-up with a beautiful natural bokeh (further afield, yes).
Frontal camera
The Reno6 Pro’s front camera gives very good results outdoors and in abundant light: we have natural selfies, without excess contrast and with a good degree of detail. The interiors are usually a problem for these cameras and we do not see an exception in this case, although with medium-high lighting the high resolution of the sensor helps a little, without being the panacea either.
The portrait mode works well with a somewhat flat blur but usually with a good cut. The white balance is usually correct and you have many options at the beauty mode level .
Video
The optical stabilization is more noticeable here than in the night shot, making that extremely stable so that many manufacturers are determined to stay and be forced to add something rather dispensable. During the day we see videos somewhat oversaturated, but in general they are fine either at 4K or 1080p.
The change of lenses can always be done (except in super stable mode), whatever the resolution and in full recording, being rather smooth. At night we see that the stabilization is absent a bit, which we did not expect in this case, seeing something more noise than expected.
Autonomy: the real surprise
Just as the OPPO Find X3 Pro left us somewhat cold in relation to autonomy, the Reno6 Pro has given us better results and, in fact, it becomes a strong point in the experience. As a base part of a 4,500 mAh battery , which without being something surprising is not bad and is within the current average in mobile phones with these diagonals.
Thus, taking into account the hardware and alternating periods of Wi-Fi / 4G and 60/90 Hz maximum, the average that it has given us is 32.2 hours of autonomy per charge with about 12 hours of screen . The good data does not stop there, since in a standard use (little time of play, more video and music, more Wi-Fi than data) the hours per charge do not differ much between one refresh rate or another.
The maximum autonomy that we have obtained is 38 hours with 60 Hz and the minimum of 25 hours with 90 Hz, in the latter case with many hours of video. This, added to the spectacular OPPO fast charge, gives a very good experience, with just 30 minutes to charge the battery from 0 to 100% with its 60-watt charger.
Audio: defends itself, without highlighting
As we said in the design section, the manufacturer has not left a hole for the 3.5-millimeter connector. For headphones we have Bluetooth or USB type C, with stereo sound at the level of external speakers.
The audio is correct, without highlighting especially but complying with the minimum quality that we would expect in a mobile with dual output. It is a clear sound, without hawking or other problems and with a more than acceptable dynamic range.
The maximum volume is between 105-108 decibels at the speaker output, which is around 80 ambient. But the best experience is around 50% of the volume, without the distortion that occurs when turned up to the maximum.
We find some extra settings such as Dolby Atmos or the selection of profiles according to the environment or context. We do not see much sense in the first with headphones, which is perhaps when we should be more grateful it seems, with a more “metallic” and flat sound in any of the environments. You have better experience choosing the smart profile, which also adapts a bit depending on whether you are listening to music, a movie / series or a game.
OPPO Reno6 Pro 5G, the opinion of Engadget
OPPO mobiles are usually complete and striking proposals at least in some aspect and the Reno6 Pro does not escape this custom. We are not only talking about the brilli-brilli of its rear, we are talking about a complete and well-functioning mobile.
Without being an absolute winner in specifications with respect to the competition, it gives a good experience and meets certain interesting minimums as a processor of the 800 series (not one of the superior ones, but already above that of other mid-range from the same manufacturer), 12 GB of RAM or a set of cameras that includes optical and telephoto stabilization.
The full is paid and the price rises compared to other similar proposals from the competition, so perhaps competing in some markets can be made more difficult. But if we are not looking for exclusive aspects of the high-end (more expensive), such as a QHD or higher resolution, the most powerful processor or an optical zoom of more magnifications, this OPPO bet is complete and has points such as very fast charging or connectivity. to the last , with Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi6 and 5G.
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