I have a confession! This year 2024 is the first time I’ve actually held onto a Reno device. Since 2016 I have been an OPPO loyalist, having owned an F1 and the A9 2020 Edition that I got in late 2019. It was the phone I had used to shoot the 2020 Japan Olympics, and at that time, OPPO was abuzz with pride over both wide angle and night mode photography. The first of the Reno series came out around that time and the tech world was gaga over the pop up hardware camera. Then the pandemic happened. Stuck at home for two years, I would only really just read about how the Reno evolved into an upper-middle range smartphone with a huge focus on photography.
So, like a giddy child, I admire the shimmering layers of both devices. I have the Rock Gray and Wave Green variants (the latter which is only available in the non-pro Reno11). I am in awe it seems like the Reno series really took off from what made previous A-series cameras great, and turned it into its own line. For context, I was very much enamored with the A9 2020’s overall camera and the Reno11 feels like home. Here are some snaps from the Olympics FAM trip I took right before the pandemic lockdowns.
I have tried both the Reno 11 Pro 5G and the Reno 11 5G. From the back, the Reno11 Pro variant has a slightly longer camera housing module so although both units have a 6.7 inch screen and the same 120Hz display and footprint, you can’t alternate cases.
There are some nuances with the camera. I quote from the official press release:
Both OPPO Reno11 Series 5G variants are equipped with an Ultra-Clear Portrait Camera system featuring telephoto camera, and an ultra-wide camera that, together, capture photos and videos in the highest quality possible. From people to scenery, under any kind of lighting, subjects stand out in their natural, perfect forms. The OPPO Reno11 5G features a Sony LYT600 sensor for the 50MP main camera together with a Sony IMX709 sensor for the 32MP Telephoto Camera. Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno11 Pro 5G boasts a 50MP main camera with Sony IMX890 sensor and a 32MP Telephoto Camera with Sony IMX709 sensor, perfect for taking high resolution portraits.
Camera Test
Portrait shots of my dogs
Eyy and let’s not forget the sunset / night shots. Regular and portrait!
Who is this for?
Consumers make informed decisions based on features vis a vis price. We’re looking at P24,999 for Reno11 5G, and P31,999 for Reno11 Pro 5G. These are pegged at a slightly higher premium than most mid-range lookers but that is really due to the fact that OPPO has successfully positioned itself at the head of the high table of China-brand smartphones. If you aren’t totally convinced with the price-point, you can definitely bookmark the unit and grab it in a few months once the prices are marked down.
Oh, and in case you missed it, PhilSTAR Tech went to the Reno11 Series 5G launch and here’s what went down.