OPPO has introduced two new smartphones, the Reno 6 and Reno 6 Pro. The Reno 6 is the cheaper of the two, with the company focusing on selling premium mid-range devices rather than entering into the high-end device market. This strategy is quite different from other Chinese phone manufacturers who compete on price.
The Reno 6 5G, is a mid-range device that offers a polished and successful design, making it both attractive and functional. However, its high price tag sets it apart from other mid-range smartphones such as the iPhone SE and top-of-the-line Xiaomi and realme Android devices.
The Reno 6 is a well-rounded device that boasts a mid-range specification, which includes a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also features a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.
Despite its impressive specs, the Reno 6 is priced much higher than other mid-range smartphones on the market. This high price point may deter potential buyers, especially those who are looking for a more affordable option. While we can recommend the Reno 6 5G, it will be a better buy if OPPO lowers its price.
Display |
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| Display Type | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Hardware |
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| Chipset | MediaTek MT6877 Dimensity 900 5G (6 nm) |
| CPU | CPU Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| GPU | GPU Mali-G78 MC4 |
| Internal | (128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM) |
| Sensors | (Under display) Fingerprint scanner, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum |
The main advantages and disadvantages OPPO Reno 6 5G
Benefits OPPO Reno 6 5G:
- great design
- 32 MP front camera – very good selfie quality
- 90 Hz AMOLED screen
- 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 charging
- 5G
- Very slim housing 182 g
- The main camera is 64 MP – the matrix manufacturer is OmniVision (in PRO it is SONY 50 MP)
- Netflix HD & HDR and Amazon Prime Video HD & HDR certified
- Very good quality of voice calls
- The set includes a powerful 65W charger, headphones and a case
- The phone does not heat up under load
- Always On Display expanded
- RAM + function
Defects OPPO Reno 6 5G:
- price
- 2MP macro camera
- UFS 2.1 memory, not 3.1 as in the PRP version
- no telephoto lens (it is in PRO)
- no recording in RAW (it is in PRO)
- plastic housing – OPPO Reno Glow technology
- mono speaker (but of fairly good quality)
- face unlocking not very secure
- The screen reader is not very successful
- MediaTek Dimensity 900 instead of the more efficient 1200 – 423K in Antutu
- No water tightness standard
- No inductive charging
Design
The latest model of Reno, the Reno 6, has been created with a design that bears a striking resemblance to the iPhone 11 and 12. The phone’s angular shape and comfortable grip make it a perfect fit for your hand. Despite its casing being made of plastic, it is of the best quality, with a rigid, multi-layered structure that mimics the look and feel of metal and glass. The phone’s lightweight design makes it perfect for those who prefer smaller and lighter phones, without compromising on the quality of the build.
If you’re looking for a phone that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, then the Reno 6 is a great option. The gray Reno 6 model, in particular, is among the most aesthetically pleasing Android smartphones available. However, it’s important to note that the frames are not entirely symmetrical, with the lower part being slightly wider than the rest. While this might be a minor issue for some, it’s worth considering if you’re someone who values symmetry in your phone’s design.
One downside of the Reno 6 is that it lacks a second speaker, meaning that the sound quality may not be as high as you’d expect from a premium smartphone. However, the camera island looks fantastic, and the phone’s camera quality is excellent. The camera island does protrude from the casing, making the phone unstable without a case, so it’s worth investing in a good quality case if you plan on using the phone frequently.
Display
There are two versions of the Reno 6 – the Pro and the non-Pro. The main difference between them is the type of screen used. The Pro version features a curved screen, while the non-Pro version has a straight screen. The straight screen seems to be a more convenient option.
The simple screen in the Reno 6 has a size of 6.43 inches and a resolution of 2400×1080 points, which is sufficient. It has a refresh rate of 90 Hz and the touch is sampled at 180 Hz. OPPO has made sure that the Reno 6 has Netflix HD & HDR and Amazon Prime Video HD & HDR certificates.
The screen is flawless and has great colors, good size, and is readable even in bright sunlight. The frames around it are narrow, and it is slightly wider at the bottom. Although the cutout for the selfie camera is visible, it is still smaller than the notch on iPhones.
Another impressive feature of the Reno 6 is the extensive personalization of the Always On Display. It deserves applause for being brilliantly designed.
Specification and operating system
OPPO’s Reno 6 5G features a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor with 5G connectivity, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB ROM memory in the UFS 2.1 standard. On the other hand, the Pro version is equipped with a more powerful Snapdragon 870 processor, 12 GB RAM, and 256 GB ROM in the UFS 3.1 standard. However, even the Pro version does not have the flagship Prock 888. The cheaper model, priced at PLN 2,500, should have a more powerful processor, as the Dimensity 900 is more suited for devices that cost a little over PLN 1,000. The more expensive mid-range models already have the upgraded version 1200 installed.
The OPPO Reno6 5G comes with a new feature that allows virtual RAM to be created from ROM. This boosts the phone’s performance by increasing memory by either 2 GB, 3 GB, or 5 GB. In AnTuTu benchmark tests, the Reno 6 5G scored 422K points. However, it’s important to note that current flagship phones exceed 800K points. For example, the realme GT, has broken such records. While the Reno 6 5G provides satisfactory performance for most tasks, it’s not a phone for demanding gamers.
The phone runs on Android 11 and the ColorOS 11.3 overlay. Security fixes date back to August. OPPO works closely with OnePlus to guarantee a smooth and polished system.
Camera
The Reno 6 is a mid-range smartphone, and as such, it doesn’t come with the same set of cameras that we would expect in the Ultra models from Samsung and Xiaomi. In Oppo, the Reno 6 comes equipped with a standard set of three lenses, whereas the telephoto lens is only available in the Pro model.
- 64MP main camera: f / 1.7
- 8MP ultra wide-angle camera: f / 2.2
- 2MP macro camera: f / 2.4
A very important camera (at least for some) is the front selfie camera. It has a 32 MP matrix and offers very good quality of the most popular shots.
Regarding the quality of photos taken with Reno, we are quite satisfied with them. The main camera performs exceptionally well both during the day and at night, producing sharp and vibrant photos. The HDR feature works effectively, enhancing the colors of the images during the day. The camera app also offers convenient access to digital zooms, but the quality drops significantly at 5X and 10X, while 2X is still useful. Wide-angle photos are decent, but a noticeable decrease in quality is observed when viewed on a PC compared to the main matrix. Unfortunately, the portrait mode produces an artificial-looking cut of the subject from the background, with digital bokeh.
Additional interesting functions include an alarm that notifies about a dirty lens and the option to save the frame in full 64 MP resolution. In terms of video quality, there are two useful modes: 4K 30 fps and FHD 60 fps. Both modes produce relatively good footage, although 4K video is not as stable as in the best “video” flagships. FHD 60 fps provides exceptional smoothness, even when capturing fast-moving subjects.
Sample pictures:
Battery
Smartphone batteries are no longer a major issue. The Reno 6 has a 4300mAh battery, which may seem small, but with a not-so-powerful processor it can last for a day even with heavy usage, or up to two days with moderate usage. The best part is that it only takes about 30 minutes to charge from 0 to 100% thanks to its 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 fast charging feature. The Pro version has a slightly larger 4500mAh battery but the same charging power. It’s worth noting that the phone does not support wireless charging.
Battery |
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| Battery Type | Li-Po |
| Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh battery & supports 65W Charging Fast charging |
| Removable | Non-removable |
Conclusion
OPPO Reno 6 5G is a smartphone that stands out for its unique design, premium build quality, and high price point. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful phones available in the mid-range category, with an aesthetic that is reminiscent of the popular iPhone. However, the phone’s high price might not be suitable for everyone, especially considering the Pro version is even more expensive. This could potentially make it difficult for OPPO to attract a significant number of fans, even though their phones are generally well-designed, polished, and offer great features.
It appears that the company made a strategic decision not to engage in a price war with Xiaomi and realme, which could be seen as a good thing for the market. However, it might not necessarily be good for the brand’s followers who are looking for a more affordable option. Despite having a mid-range specification, the Reno 6’s design gives the impression of a premium smartphone. It features a slim and elegant body that is comfortable to hold, with a stunning AMOLED display that offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast levels. The phone comes equipped with a powerful processor, a decent camera setup, and 5G connectivity, making it an excellent choice for those who value design and aesthetics over raw performance.
In conclusion, the OPPO Reno 6 5G is a beautifully designed phone that offers a premium experience at a mid-range price point. While its high cost might not be suitable for everyone, it is an excellent option for those who are looking for a slim and elegant phone that stands out from the crowd.
We love: design
We don’t like: prices
Who is it for OPPO Reno 6 5G:
- Fans of very nice smartphones
- For selfie photo fans
- For fans of the OPPO brand
- For the wasteful (others will wait for the price cut)
For whom it is not OPPO Reno 6 5G:
- Not for avid mobile photographers
- Not for fans of the highest performance at the lowest price
- Not for thrifty ones
