Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G: A Solid Contender with Unexpected Weaknesses

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The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G is a tempting option for those looking for a stylish and well-equipped smartphone under Rs. 40,000 in India. Packed with a sleek design, a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, and a capable triple camera system, it aims to capture the attention of those who prioritize a premium look and feel. But does it deliver on its promises? This detailed review delves into the strengths and weaknesses of the Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G, offering a comprehensive guide for potential buyers navigating the crowded premium mid-range segment.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G Price in India

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G is available in India in a single configuration: 12GB RAM + 256GB storage, priced at Rs. 39,999.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G Design and Display

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G is available in two captivating colors: Silvery Grey and Glossy Purple. We got our hands on the latter, which stands out from the usual sea of green and black smartphones. The curved rear panel and frame give the phone a sleek, premium feel, enhanced by its slim 7.89mm thickness and lightweight 185g build. The glass back, while offering a luxurious touch, can be a bit slippery without a case.

The phone boasts a stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a full-HD+ resolution (2412 x 1080 pixels) and a 20.1:9 aspect ratio. Like the Vivo V27 Pro, OnePlus 11R, and even some affordable options like the Motorola Edge 40, the Reno 10 Pro 5G features a curved display. However, we didn’t experience any ghost touches during our use.

Surprisingly, the Reno 10 Pro 5G only features a single speaker, which is a letdown for a phone in this price range. Dual-speaker setups are becoming increasingly standard in the segment. Furthermore, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. While the speaker is loud, the audio experience is not particularly immersive.

On the plus side, the 120Hz display reaches a peak brightness of 950 nits when playing HDR content. HDR playback is supported on YouTube but not yet on Netflix. The vibrant 10-bit display supports a billion colors, making images exceptionally vivid. Oppo has opted for AGC Dragontrail Star 2 glass, which promises 20 percent better drop resistance compared to Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

The refresh rate is set to Auto Switch, and while there were minor software-related stutters during our testing, the overall scrolling experience was smooth.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G Specifications and Software

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 778G SoC with an Adreno 642L GPU. The phone packs a 4,600mAh battery and supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual-SIM, IR emitter, and 14 5G bands in India.

Running the latest ColorOS 13.1 based on Android 13, the Reno 10 Pro 5G offers a plethora of customization options. ColorOS has become quite popular for its impressive personalization features, and the Reno 10 Pro 5G doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Users can change wallpapers, adjust the front shape and size, alter icon shape and size, and much more.

ColorOS 13.1 supports Android 13’s Material You theme, dynamically matching the system and UI colors to the wallpaper. Additionally, Oppo offers a wide range of color options for the UI and system icons within the Settings app.

While ColorOS 13.1 is packed with features, it is plagued by app recommendations and advertisements throughout the user interface. This includes the set-up screen, bloatware-filled app drawer and home screen, and app recommendations in the default browser. Multiple preinstalled games and third-party applications add to the clutter. Oppo’s native App Store, App Market, also frequently sends notifications suggesting various apps.

Oppo has responded to user feedback, stating that unwanted apps requesting installation permission upon initial setup will be removed in upcoming software versions. However, the app recommendation folders, Hot Games and Hot Apps, will remain available. Users can hide these folders and disable recommendations by adjusting the settings within App Market. However, some optimization issues persist. For example, screen orientation automatically changed even with Auto-rotate disabled, and we noticed minor jitters while returning to the homescreen.

The phone is guaranteed to receive two major Android updates and three years of security support.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G Performance and Battery Life

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G is equipped with the mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC, which has appeared in several smartphones priced around Rs. 30,000 in India. It is not the most powerful phone in its price segment, but it handles everyday tasks such as social media, messaging, content consumption, and app loading with ease.

Casual gaming is possible, but the OnePlus Nord 3, OnePlus 11R, and iQoo Neo 7 Pro offer significantly better gaming performance and value for the price. Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) supports "HDR" graphics and "Ultra" framerate settings, but the Reno 10 Pro 5G experiences stuttering when using the highest settings. Gameplay improves with graphics set to "Balanced" or "HD." Asphalt 9: Legends runs smoothly.

RAM management is good, and apps load quickly, thanks to the Reno 10 Pro’s support for up to 8GB of virtual RAM, effectively borrowed from the 256GB internal memory.

Benchmark scores confirm the chip’s mid-range status. The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G scored 5,89.206 points on AnTuTu (v10) and 1,013 (single-core) and 2,669 (multi-core) points on Geekbench 6. It falls short of the competition, with the iQoo Neo 7 Pro scoring 1,263,884 points on AnTuTu (v10). While benchmarks are not the sole metric for judging a phone’s performance, they reveal that raw power is not the Reno 10 Pro’s strong point.

However, battery life is a highlight. The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G easily lasts a full day, averaging about 8 hours and 20 minutes of screen-on time (SoT). With more than two hours of gameplay, we consistently achieved about 6 hours and 50 minutes of SoT. In our HD video battery loop test, the phone lasted an impressive 20 hours and 44 minutes. The 80W SuperVOOC charger fully replenishes the battery in just 29 minutes.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G Cameras

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G boasts a triple-camera setup on the back. It features a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), the same sensor found in the flagship OnePlus 11 and Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ 5G. The Reno 10 Pro 5G also features an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto camera with 2X optical zoom. For selfies, there is a 32-megapixel front camera sensor.

The primary camera produces good quality images with true-to-life colors and decent dynamic range performance. While the primary camera performs well in most lighting conditions, we noticed that shadows were not always optimally exposed. Night mode shots were well-exposed, with minimal noise in many scenarios. Highlights were not blown out, preserving detail in the shadows. The Reno 10 Pro 5G’s primary camera’s low-light performance is among the best in its price category.

The ultra-wide camera features slightly warmer tones compared to the main camera. While lacking in edge detail, it performs well with colors and dynamic range.

The 2X telephoto camera is rare at this price point and delivers impressive results. Details are good, and dynamic range performance is excellent. Again, the telephoto images are slightly cooler compared to the primary camera samples.

Portrait mode’s edge detection is excellent. However, the primary camera’s portrait mode renders human skin a bit red. The telephoto camera’s portrait mode performance, on the other hand, is quite impressive, excelling in colors, edge detection, and detail. However, there’s a noticeable shutter lag during portrait mode photography, requiring users to keep the phone steady and prevent the subject from moving until the shutter sound triggers.

The front camera captures selfies with accurately rendered skin tones. Edge detection in portrait mode shots is inconsistent, with the blurring algorithm sometimes affecting ears and hair. Low-light portrait mode shots successfully expose the subject and offer good blur, but details are slightly softened.

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G can record videos up to 4K 30fps using the rear camera and 1080p 30fps using the front camera. The footage from the rear camera offers good stability, detail, and exposure. Video quality from the front camera suffers slightly in dynamic range performance.

Verdict

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G is undoubtedly one of the best-looking smartphones under Rs. 40,000. It’s not just stylish, but also well-built, providing a premium in-hand feel. The phone earns significant praise for its exceptional display and excellent battery life. The performance is acceptable for the price, but competitors offer far more value in this department. The Reno 10 Pro 5G differentiates itself with its versatile camera system, which includes a high-quality telephoto lens.

However, the software experience, despite its feature-rich nature, fails to match the premium price tag. The phone lacks IP rating and features a single speaker, further detracting from its overall appeal.

Ultimately, if you seek a smartphone with a flagship-grade design, a stunning display, and a versatile camera setup, the Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G is worth considering. However, for those who prioritize premium performance, a flawless software experience, and are willing to forgo the telephoto camera, alternatives like the OnePlus 11R, OnePlus Nord 3, and iQoo Neo 7 Pro deserve your attention.

Article Reference

Brian Adams
Brian Adams
Brian Adams is a technology writer with a passion for exploring new innovations and trends. His articles cover a wide range of tech topics, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. Brian's engaging writing style and thorough research make his pieces a must-read for tech enthusiasts.