The Oppo Reno 6 Pro, the latest iteration of Oppo’s premium Reno line, aims to capture the hearts of smartphone enthusiasts with its sleek design and powerful specifications. While it builds upon the strengths of its predecessor, the Reno 5 Pro 5G, the Reno 6 Pro faces stiff competition in the increasingly crowded sub-Rs. 40,000 segment. With a focus on slimness, lightness, and innovative camera features, the Reno 6 Pro hopes to stand out from the crowd. However, the question remains: can it deliver a compelling experience that justifies its price point, especially in the face of formidable rivals, or does it fall short?
Oppo Reno 6 Pro: A Closer Look
The Oppo Reno 6 Pro is available in a single configuration, offering 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This generous storage capacity is not expandable, as the SIM tray can only accommodate two Nano-SIM cards. Priced at Rs. 39,990 in India, the Reno 6 Pro positions itself squarely within the premium mid-range segment.
Design: Familiar yet Refined
Oppo has opted for a familiar design aesthetic for the Reno 6 Pro, drawing inspiration from its predecessor but introducing some subtle refinements. Maintaining the same 7.6mm thickness as the Reno 5 Pro 5G, the phone now weighs slightly more at 177g. However, the Reno 6 Pro retains the elegant chrome-lined frame and the eye-catching curved front and back. Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protects the display, while the back glass boasts a unique matte finish with a captivating shimmering crystal-like effect. The Aurora colour variation, particularly striking, makes the phone visually compelling. Alternatively, it’s also available in a classic Stellar Black trim.
The placement of buttons is thoughtfully considered, promoting ergonomic comfort. The bottom edge houses the SIM tray, USB Type-C port, and speaker, while the flattened top features only a microphone, devoid of any text. The absence of a headphone jack remains a noticeable omission, though a USB Type-C headset is included in the box.
The Reno 6 Pro features a 6.5-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display, equipped with a 90Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ playback certification, and a responsive 180Hz touch sampling rate. These specifications are identical to those of the Reno 5 Pro 5G, which could be considered a missed opportunity for improvement. The display is framed by consistently slim bezels, and the cutout housing the selfie camera remains inconspicuous.
Like its predecessor, the Reno 6 Pro incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor for swift authentication and offers an always-on display feature for quick access to notifications, time, battery level, and other essential information.
The Reno 6 Pro offers a compelling combination of a slim profile, comfortable weight, and an attractive textured finish that elevates its aesthetics.
Specifications and Software: Powerful Performance and ColorOS Enhancements
One of the most significant improvements in the Reno 6 Pro is the adoption of the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC. This chipset boasts enhanced performance compared to the Dimensity 1000+ SoC found in its predecessor. Built on a smaller 6nm process (compared to the previous 7nm), the Dimensity 1200 boasts a more powerful ARM Cortex-A78 configuration, leading to noticeable gains in CPU performance. GPU performance, although using the same subsystem on paper, is also said to be improved. This SoC has already been featured in the Realme X7 Max (Review) in India, proving its prowess.
The Reno 6 Pro features a suite of connectivity options including dual-band Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth, NFC, and the usual array of sensors and satellite navigation systems. Oppo highlights the use of a colour temperature sensor and an ambient light sensor, strategically placed both on the front and back of the phone, to ensure more accurate auto-brightness adjustment. However, FM radio is absent. The device utilizes a slightly larger 4,500mAh battery than the Reno 5 Pro 5G and maintains the impressive 65W fast charging capability.
The absence of stereo speakers persists, which is a disappointing omission, especially at this price point. Stereo speakers are increasingly common in phones costing significantly less than Rs. 20,000, making their absence stand out.
The Reno 6 Pro runs ColorOS 11.3, the company’s latest operating system, which shares many similarities with the version we tested on the Reno 5 Pro 5G (v11.1). The familiar customisation options for changing the system theme, always-on display, animations, and other visual elements are present. Oppo includes a handful of preinstalled apps, such as O Relax, designed for relaxation through soothing sounds, and a gaming mode that minimizes distractions during gameplay.
ColorOS 11.3 introduces a few intriguing changes, suggestive of a growing influence from OnePlus’ OxygenOS. The ‘AOD Portrait Silhouette’ feature, found in the customisation menu of the always-on display, is essentially a rebranded version of the ‘Canvas AOD’ feature, first seen on recent OnePlus smartphones.
The gaming app, previously known as Game Space in ColorOS, has also been renamed to Games, adopting the same interface design as the app on OnePlus phones. Given the recent merger of the two companies and the announcement of an integration of ColorOS and OxygenOS, we can expect to see a greater sharing of features and design elements in future phones from both brands.
Although ColorOS 11.3 offers a smooth and engaging experience, the Reno 6 Pro still ships with a plethora of preloaded apps, some of which tend to flood the notification tray unless uninstalled. Unfortunately, apps like Theme Store and Browser are particularly notorious for this behavior and cannot be fully uninstalled.
Performance and Battery Life: Unbridled Power and Extended Usage
The Reno 6 Pro proved to be a delight during the review period. Its low weight makes it practically unobtrusive in the pocket, contributing to a comfortable one-handed usage experience. The fingerprint sensor offers rapid authentication, but face recognition is even quicker, performing admirably even in low light conditions.
ColorOS runs flawlessly on the Reno 6 Pro, aided by the generous RAM and the exceptionally fast SoC. Benchmark scores highlight the phone’s power, with the Reno 6 Pro achieving an impressive 5,90,473 points in AnTuTu.
Games perform remarkably well. Despite its slim build, the back of the phone never becomes excessively warm, even during extended gaming sessions. Demanding titles like Asphalt 9: Legends run exceptionally well with consistent framerates. While most games I tested defaulted to a 60Hz refresh rate, certain games, including Brawl Stars, managed to leverage the 90Hz display. The display’s impressive brightness further enhances the immersive gaming experience. Videos, including HDR content, look excellent, though stereo sound would have elevated the viewing experience to new heights.
Battery life on the Reno 6 Pro is impressive. I consistently achieved a day and a half of usage, which involved significant video consumption and social media browsing. The device performed admirably in our HD video loop test, lasting for a solid 17 hours and 21 minutes. The fast charging capabilities are equally impressive; using the supplied adapter, I managed to quickly charge the Reno 6 Pro to 96 percent within half an hour.
Cameras: Solid Stills, Room for Improvement in Videos
The camera setup on the Reno 6 Pro remains virtually identical to that of the Reno 5 Pro. It houses a 64-megapixel primary camera with an f/1.7 aperture, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel monochrome camera. The selfie camera boasts a 32-megapixel sensor. The primary rear camera still lacks optical stabilisation, and a telephoto camera remains absent from the lineup.
The cameras are highlighted by the new Bokeh Flare Portrait filter, which can be activated during video recording. This filter effectively isolates the subject, particularly humans, from the background, even during slight movement. Even the smallest light sources in the background are considerably defocused, creating a shimmering bokeh effect. This feature is operational both during the day, for instance, with scattered sunlight filtering through trees, and at night, showcasing its versatility. The filter can be used with both the rear and front cameras. It is a playful and engaging feature that delivers noteworthy results.
A standard “bokeh” filter is also available for videos, allowing for adjustable background blur. Other camera features seen in previous Reno models are also present, including the AI Highlight Video and AI Colour Portrait filters.
Still photography performance mirrors the experience with the Reno 5 Pro 5G, meaning it is generally good. Both landscapes and close-up shots captured during the day display an abundance of detail. The ultra-wide camera produces slightly less vibrant colors, and details around the edge of the frame are marginally below average.
Stills captured in low light are equally impressive. Even without activating night mode, close-ups exhibit excellent color accuracy and detail, provided the hands are steady. In such situations, the absence of optical stabilisation would have made shooting easier. Night mode effectively brightens scenes, both with the main camera and the ultra-wide camera. The selfie camera also delivers pleasing images, both during the day and at night.
Video recording, however, requires further refinement. The Oppo Reno 6 Pro can record video at up to 4K 30fps, but like its predecessor, it lacks stabilisation at this resolution, which is disappointing. Video quality is satisfactory when shooting during the day and even in low light when recording at 4K. Electronic stabilisation is activated at 1080p, but the video quality is not as impressive as that captured at 4K. There is also noticeable jitter in the video when shooting in low light.
Verdict : A Solid Smartphone with Room for Growth
The Oppo Reno 6 Pro treads a familiar path, closely mirroring its predecessor – perhaps too closely for some. Since our review of the Oppo Reno 5 Pro 5G in early January, the mid-range smartphone landscape in India has undergone significant changes. Some of the feature absences in the Reno 5 Pro are now even more pronounced in the new model, particularly considering its Rs. 39,990 price tag.
Features such as stereo speakers, stabilised 4K video recording, and potentially even an IP rating would have strengthened the Reno 6 Pro’s competitive edge. Smartphones like the Mi 11X and Realme X7 Max offer comparable or even superior features at significantly lower prices. At Rs. 39,990, you have access to more feature-rich and powerful smartphones such as the Mi 11X Pro and the OnePlus 9R. Furthermore, with the upcoming OnePlus Nord 2 and Poco F3 GT, expected to utilize the same Dimensity SoC as the Reno 6 Pro but potentially launch at more aggressive prices, it makes sense to wait before making a decision.
The Oppo Reno 6 Pro is one of the slimmest and lightest phones in its class and has the visual appeal to match. However, it is not without its shortcomings. The absence of essential features does not detract from its status as a powerful smartphone with excellent battery life and respectable cameras for still photography. However, a more competitive price point would have significantly enhanced its appeal.
The Oppo Reno 6 Pro is a solid option, but its limited feature set and challenging price point raise questions about its overall value proposition in a landscape brimming with strong alternatives.
