OPPO Reno 12 Review: Thin, Light, Familiar

Having used the OPPO Reno 12 for over a month, my experience has been solid, though not without some reservations. The device follows OPPO’s well-established pattern of delivering good design and performance, but it lacks in certain areas, particularly at its current price point. Here’s my detailed breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and what you can expect from this phone.

Design and Build:

If you’ve used any of the recent OPPO Reno series devices, you’ll find that OPPO has mastered a formula with small incremental changes. The Reno 12 continues this trend – it’s sleek, thin, and light, which sets it apart from many heavier, bulkier phones on the market. After over a month of daily use, I still appreciate how comfortable it feels in the hand, but there’s nothing groundbreaking about the design when compared to previous Reno models. I still feel like it’s exactly the same Reno 8T 5G in design, weight and curved display.

One aspect that left me wanting more was the color options. The grey/silver variant I have is fine, but it lacks the vibrance some users might prefer. While Matte Brown and Astro Silver offer subtle, clean finishes, I found myself wishing for more exciting choices. For me, black would still be my default color pick.

That said, the build quality is solid. The Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and IP65 rating for dust and water resistance provide decent protection, although I would have preferred a full IP68 rating for greater peace of mind, especially given the KES 70,000 price tag.

Display, Software, and Performance: Great, But Bloatware Returns

The AMOLED display on the Reno 12 is fantastic. With its 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, everything from videos to scrolling through apps feels smooth and vibrant. The brightness is exceptional, and I’ve had no issues using it in direct sunlight, a feature I’ve come to appreciate in my time with the device.

However, the presence of bloatware was a letdown. I found several pre-installed apps I had no use for and had to delete them immediately. This detracted from what’s otherwise a clean software experience, something OPPO has traditionally excelled at.

OPPO promises three major Android updates for the Reno 12 series, meaning this phone will see Android 14 through to Android 17, along with four years of optimal battery performance. The promise of longevity is reassuring, but getting there shouldn’t involve having to clean up unnecessary apps.

In terms of performance, the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset handles everything thrown at it with ease. Multitasking, switching between apps, and keeping them in memory is smooth, thanks to the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The fingerprint scanner is fast and responsive, and ColorOS 14 continues to be polished, customizable, and easy to use.

Cameras:

The camera system on the Reno 12 is okay, but nothing groundbreaking. The 50MP main camera takes decent shots in well-lit environments, and the Portrait Mode delivers nice bokeh effects. However, the 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro lenses feel like afterthoughts – barely contributing to the overall experience. It’s almost as if they’re there to pad out the camera array rather than provide real utility.

At this price point, I expected more ambitious choices in the camera department. Two or three 50MP sensors would have made the phone stand out, especially for those who value mobile photography. As it stands, OPPO’s Reno 12 is competent, but far from competitive when compared to other phones in its price range. If you’ve used previous Reno devices, you’ll know what to expect: decent photos in well-lit conditions and okay stabilization, but nothing that wows.

For creatives hoping to shoot professional-grade videos and photos, the Reno 12 will get the job done, but I believe OPPO could have done more in terms of reliability, color science, and pro-level features.

AI Features: Fun but Forgettable

OPPO has packed a number of AI-driven features into the Reno 12, but in practice, I found them largely forgettable. Tools like AI Eraser 2.0 and AI Smart Image Matting 2.0 are fun to show off, but in daily usage, I found little reason to turn to them regularly. They feel more like novelties than essential tools—reflecting the current state of AI on smartphones. We aren’t yet at a point where AI consistently enhances day-to-day use.

What I did appreciate, however, were OPPO’s AI productivity tools, particularly AI Summary and AI Recording Summary, which work across third-party apps. Unlike Samsung, OPPO has made these tools accessible via the sidebar, meaning they can run on top of other apps. Summarizing texts, transcribing voice notes, and even having articles read aloud without leaving the app you’re in adds a practical layer to OPPO’s AI features, making them more useful than the photo editing tools.

Battery and Charging:

One of the Reno 12’s strongest points is its battery life. The 5000mAh battery consistently lasted me a full day, even with relatively heavy usage. I usually ended the day with around 30% charge remaining, which speaks to the phone’s efficient power management.

The 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge is another highlight. In most cases, a 10 to 15-minute charge is enough to get you through the day. Charging from 0 to 100% takes about 45 minutes, which is very convenient. What’s even better is that OPPO includes the 80W charger in the box – a refreshing touch in an era where brands are increasingly omitting chargers.

Pricing:

Here’s my main issue: the price. At KES 70,000, the Reno 12 feels expensive for what you’re getting. While 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, and the lightweight design are impressive, the lack of premium features like wireless charging, a full IP68 rating, and more versatile camera sensors makes it difficult to justify the price.

A more competitive price point of around KES 60,000 or less – with the same 12GB RAM and 256GB storage – I argue, would have made more sense. At its current price, OPPO has delivered a good device, but it feels like there’s a gap between expectation and delivery, especially in areas like camera quality.

IR Blaster:

One unexpected feature I found myself using more often than expected is the IR Blaster. It works well for controlling home appliances like TVs, air conditioners. If you’ve used Xiaomi or Infinix devices with IR Blasters, you’ll know exactly what to expect. While it’s a small feature, it’s surprisingly handy for those who rely on it, and I appreciate its inclusion.

Final Thoughts:

After using the OPPO Reno 12 for over a month, I can say it’s a good phone that excels in design, performance, and battery life. The sleek, lightweight build makes it comfortable to use daily, and the fast charging is a significant plus. However, at KES 70,000, the phone feels a bit steep, especially considering the camera setup, lack of wireless charging, and missing premium features that would have made it a standout at this price.

The AI features are useful in certain contexts but largely forgettable in daily use. If you’re looking for a well-designed, fast-performing phone for everyday tasks, the Reno 12 won’t disappoint. But if you’re after cutting-edge camera capabilities or more premium features, you might find yourself questioning the price.