The Oppo Reno 6: A Worthy Contender, But Can It Win?
The Oppo Reno 6 Pro was a solid step up from its predecessor, the Reno 5 Pro, but its elevated price tag didn’t quite convince everyone that the upgrade was worth it. Oppo wisely addressed this with the release of a more affordable non-Pro variant, the Oppo Reno 6. Sharing several key features with its more expensive sibling, like the Bokeh Flare Portrait filter, 65W fast charging, and a high refresh rate AMOLED display, the Reno 6 aims for a more budget-friendly approach without compromising on the user experience.
However, with similarly priced alternatives like the OnePlus Nord 2 and Poco F3 GT flooding the market, does the Oppo Reno 6 have what it takes to stand out? Let’s dive in and investigate.
Oppo Reno 6: Price and Availability
The Oppo Reno 6 is available in a single configuration: 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, with no option for expandable storage due to the lack of a microSD slot. However, it does support dual Nano-SIMs. You can choose between the Aurora colour variant, which debuted on the Reno 6 Pro, and the more understated Stellar Black.
Oppo Reno 6: Design and Display
The Oppo Reno 6 breaks free from the curved-edge display and glossy frame of its Pro counterpart, opting for a flat-edged design and a matte finished metal frame with visible antenna bands. This design choice calls to mind the iPhone 12 series, and its implementation genuinely elevates the Reno 6’s aesthetic. The smartphone boasts a premium feel, and the Aurora colour variant shines exceptionally well.
Despite maintaining the same slim profile as the Reno 6 Pro (7.59mm), the Reno 6 is slightly heavier at 182g. Nonetheless, the phone remains comfortable to hold and use. The buttons offer a satisfyingly clicky response, and the bottom houses the SIM tray, USB Type-C port, and single loudspeaker. Unfortunately, the Reno 6 lacks a headphone jack, and stereo speakers are also absent. The glass back provides a pleasant tactile experience and minimizes fingerprint smudges. The camera module complements the phone’s overall aesthetic with its clean design.
The 6.42-inch AMOLED display offers a full-HD+ resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness rating of up to 700nits. The bezels are kept slim, contributing to the premium appearance. The box includes a USB Type-C headset, USB cable, SIM eject tool, and the powerful 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 adapter.
Oppo Reno 6: Specifications and Software
The Oppo Reno 6 differentiates itself from its Pro sibling by employing a different SoC. This marks the first smartphone in India to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC, a relatively new release. Like the Dimensity 1200 in the Reno 6 Pro, the Dimensity 900 is built on a 6nm fabrication process but boasts a distinct CPU cluster configuration and GPU. It comprises two ARM Cortex-A78 cores and six ARM Cortex-A55 cores, coupled with an ARM Mali-G68 MC4 GPU.
While benchmark numbers may be lower than the Dimensity 1200, the Reno 6 still manages to deliver a smooth and responsive user experience. Additionally, it supports NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, and essential sensors and satellite navigation systems. The Reno 6 offers commendable 5G connectivity, supporting a total of 13 5G bands, ensuring future-proof connectivity in India. It also incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor, which performs flawlessly.
The Reno 6 runs ColorOS 11.3, known for its smooth performance and user-friendly features. It includes several familiar elements from OxygenOS, creating a familiar and enjoyable software experience. However, be prepared to encounter some unwanted spam from certain pre-installed apps that cannot be uninstalled.
Oppo Reno 6: Performance and Battery Life
Despite the less powerful SoC compared to the Reno 6 Pro, the MediaTek Dimensity 900 in the Oppo Reno 6 still manages to deliver sufficient horsepower for daily tasks and games at full-HD+ resolution. Multitasking remains smooth, and the 90Hz refresh rate ensures fluid scrolling through menus and apps. Benchmark scores, while lower than the Reno 6 Pro, are still respectable. The Reno 6 scores 4,26,495 points in AnTuTu and impressive Geekbench scores of 728 and 2,085 points in single-core and multi-core tests respectively. The phone runs cool during regular usage.
Videos appear sharp and vibrant, with HDR content rendering accurately. Gaming on the Reno 6 proves to be an enjoyable experience thanks to the bright and vivid display. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends run smoothly, with excellent visuals amplified by the vibrant colors. The flat display eliminates accidental touch issues and ensures clear visibility of content. However, the omission of stereo speakers is a missed opportunity for an immersive multimedia experience.
The 4,300mAh battery capacity might not appear impressive, but the Reno 6 consistently delivers a full day of usage on a single charge. It also performs well in the HD video loop test, lasting for an impressive 16 hours and 49 minutes. The highlight is the incredibly fast charging capability; the battery can be charged almost completely in just half an hour. If you find yourself without Oppo’s fast charger, the Reno 6 supports other fast charging standards like USB-PD (18W).
Oppo Reno 6: Cameras
The Oppo Reno 6 lacks the rear depth sensor found on the Reno 6 Pro, but otherwise, the camera setup remains identical. This includes a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 32-megapixel front camera for selfies. It also shares the same photography and videography features as the Reno 6 Pro.
Daylight photos are characterized by excellent detail and accurate colors. The ultra-wide camera exhibits a cooler color tone compared to the main camera, with slightly less detail, especially at the edges of the frame. Close-up shots taken with the main camera capture rich detail and pleasing colors. Despite the absence of a depth sensor, portraits generally turn out well.
Landscapes and close-ups in low light conditions also surpass average performance. Night mode effectively reduces noise in darker areas of images and even makes shots taken with the ultra-wide camera usable.
Selfies under natural light deliver pleasing results when the face smoothing filter is disabled. Low-light selfies are manageable, and the screen flash combined with Night mode ensures adequate illumination even in darkness.
The Oppo Reno 6 can record videos at up to 4K 30fps, but, like the Pro model, videos at this resolution lack stabilization. You need to drop to 1080p for stabilized video recording, albeit with a slightly lower quality. The Reno 6 also supports the Bokeh Flare Portrait filter, just like the Pro model, offering a fun creative tool for video recording.
Oppo Reno 6: Verdict
While the Oppo Reno 6 lacks the sleek design and powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC of the Reno 6 Pro, it offers exceptional value for nearly Rs. 10,000 less. It is the more sensible option for those seeking a balance of features and affordability. The design feels premium to the touch, and the performance is ample for most applications and games. The battery life is fantastic, the charging speed is incredibly quick, the display is vibrant, and the cameras deliver impressive results for stills.
However, the Reno 6 does have its shortcomings. The video recording quality could be better, stereo speakers are missing, and ColorOS can be plagued by intrusive spam notifications. Additionally, the absence of expandable storage could be a dealbreaker for some users.
Although the Reno 6 represents better value than the Pro model, it faces strong competition from the OnePlus Nord 2 and Poco F3 GT. Both offer superior features and more powerful SoCs at lower starting prices, making them tempting alternatives.
Ultimately, the Oppo Reno 6 presents a compelling choice for those seeking a well-rounded smartphone experience at an attractive price point. But it will need to overcome the strong competition in the market to truly capture the attention of prospective buyers.
