Earlier this year we saw Oppo’s Reno 7 5G smartphone hit the South African market. It’s taken less than six months for the Oppo Reno 8 5G to follow suit. This time, though, it’s brought a larger price tag and a Pro version of the handset along for the ride.
Last night was the South African launch of the Chinese handset. Stuff was there, which you would know if you followed our Twitter account. While you fix that hideous oversight, here’s what you missed from the event.
Going to Reno 8 – Reno-fication
Oppo was quick to point out several features. The Reno 8 lineup’s battery will last at least four years — in total, not on a charge — and it’ll all charge super-fast. Like, 50% capacity in eleven minutes fast. The company’s also touting the lineup’s nighttime camera skills and the Pro’s screen tech. But let’s take a look at what’s inside the stock Oppo Reno 8 first.
Expect a 6.4in HD+ OLED display. It’ll ‘only’ run at 90Hz, which is a slight oversight at this price point, but it’s got a claimed 800 nits of peak brightness. Despite the on-paper spec, it should still prove gorgeous to look at. Inside is 8GB of RAM, between 128GB and 256GB of storage, and a MediaTek Dimensity 1300 CPU. Up front is a 32MP selfie camera and the rear consists of a 50MP/8MP/2MP array. It looks cool and all, but Samsung’s fielding similar tech at a cheaper price. Why should you opt for the Reno 8?
Oppo reckons its 4,500mAh battery and 80W Super VOOC charging might be enough to pull your eye in its direction. But this isn’t the phone you’re supposed to be buying anyway. The Reno 8 only rocks up in November this year. The Reno 8 Pro, however, is supposed to land in South Africa this October.
How is the Pro better again?
Weirdly, it’s not the camera tech that’s the differentiator here. Both phones use Sony camera sensors, as well as a new (and dedicated) imaging neural processing unit called the MariSilicon X. Which might go some way towards explaining the price. It facilitates a feature called 4K Ultra Night Video with HDR, which ups your video capability when the lights are out. Perfect for the upcoming nuclear winter we’re expecting any day now.
On to the actual improvements, there’s a much better display here and the Reno 8 Pro also opts for a larger processor. The screen is a 6.7in AMOLED panel running at up to 120Hz and a peak brightness of 950 nits. Those numbers are all larger, in case you’re not paying attention. A speedier Dimensity 8100-Max chipset powers the whole show. Storage is 256GB as standard, but 8GB or 12GB RAM versions are possible. We’re not sure which one South Africa is getting but, based on the price, it’s the 8GB model.
Otherwise, battery and charging capability are the same. If you’re looking for more speed and a sexier screen, you’ll find it in the pricier Oppo Reno 8 Pro.
If you want one or the other of these smartphones, Oppo’s ready to take your money. The standard Reno 8 handset will cost you R17,000. In the event you’d rather go Pro, you can expect to pay R20,000 for the upper-mid-range 8 Pro. Both are available in either Glazed Green or Glazed Black, which is what Oppo’s calling green and black this year.