Oppo's new mid-range phone is one of the most beautiful phones I've ever tested, with excellent performance and cameras to match but one thing stops me from giving it top marks

Date:
Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Description:
Id recommend Oppos latest mid-range phone to anyone if it wasnt for this one thing heres why.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Oppo Reno 16 5G: two-minute review The Oppo Reno 16 5G is a stunning mid-range phone with a lush display, fantastic camera and strong performance. If youre looking for a phone with summer looks and star vibes, thats exactly how Oppo is describing its new mid-range handset, which is aiming to be among the most trendy, flashy looking models on the market.

But its not all marketing hype I really do think that the Oppo Reno 16 5G is a gorgeous phone. It's slim, comes in some beautiful color options, and has a striking 3D holographic design on the reverse side, making it the ideal
option for those seeking an aesthetically pleasing and stylish digital companion. It's also lightweight and compact for those who prefer a smaller device. Dont be fooled, though, this thing isnt just a pretty face. Like all of the best phones , the Oppo Reno 16 5G offers solid performance (thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor), a clean and easy-to-use UI, and a 6,000mAh battery for seamless everyday use. Latest Videos From TechRadar
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Another highlight for me, though, was the camera quality on the Reno 16 5G.
It has a highly capable system of cameras, featuring a 50MP wide, ultra-wide, and selfie camera, as well as a 50MP telephoto lens. And for a mid-range phone, this thing produces really impressive results. The telephoto lens which in itself isnt always a guarantee to get at this price-point can capture detailed, rich photos with surprisingly little compromise, and the phone is also able to capture 4K 60fps footage with its main or front camera not bad, eh?

The display, though small, is also vibrant and punchy, and finer intricacies come through nicely when watching movies or YouTube videos in full HD. You wont get the perfect contrast and detailing that the priciest flagships plate up, sure, but compared to rivals, the Reno 16 5Gs display is very decent indeed.

On the software side, things are pretty good albeit slightly flawed.
ColorOS, which runs on Android 16, runs like a dream the vast majority of the time, and is both well-laid out and easy to customize. Bloatware is
relatively limited too, which was a relief for me, even if a handful of the usual offenders (like Temu and AliExpress) are pre-installed.

There are some small oddities, and the default AI-generated background carousel is truly awful, though it can be deactivated if you prefer (and yes, I do indeed prefer). Other AI features are more palatable, and all
centralized in the Mind Pilot app, which is fine enough. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

In fact, most of my gripes with the Oppo Reno 16 5G are relatively minor. I wouldve liked to have seen wireless charging onboard, and the device can get
a little toasty when the processor is hard at work. But overall, this is an excellent phone.

The one thing that I consider a sticking point is the devices price. At 649 (about $880), its more expensive than its recently released predecessor, and is certainly towards the top-end of that mid-range bracket. When rivals like the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offer similar performance across the board (as
well as a stunning design), the high cost could prove to be a turn off for a lot of consumers. Still, the Oppo Reno 16 5G is certainly a highly capable mid-range phone with the substance to back up its style, and Id recommend it especially if you spot it on sale! (Image credit: Future) Oppo Reno 16 5G review: price and availability Priced at 649 (about $880) Released in July 2026 Not sold directly in the US, but could conceivably be imported The Oppo Reno 16 5G was released in July 2026, just half a year after its predecessor. In the UK, the Oppo Reno 16 5G is priced at 649 (about $880), and comes with 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. However, some different storage options are available in other markets, such as India. The Reno 16 5G is quite expensive for a mid-range phone, and costs about 50 more than its predecessor did at launch.

The standard Reno 16 5G is not sold in Australia, but a similar model is available called the Oppo Reno 16F 5G. Although Oppos phones arent directly sold in the US, you could potentially import it. The Reno 16 5G is available in a range of colors across different markets, but in the UK there are two options: Pop White and Purple Black. Oppo Reno 16 5G review: specs Swipe to scroll horizontally

Dimensions

6 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches / 151.2 x 72.4 x 8.4mm

Weight

6.6oz / 188g

Screen

6.32-inch AMOLED

Resolution

2640 x 1216

Refresh rate

120Hz

Chipset

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

RAM

8GB

Storage

512GB

OS

ColorOS 16.0 (based on Android 16)

Rear cameras

50MP f/1.8 wide; 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide; 50MP f/2.8 telephoto

Front camera

50MP f/2.0

Battery

6,000mAh

Charging

80W wired, no wireless charging (Image credit: Future) Oppo Reno 16 5G
review: design Impressive build quality Attractive look with 3D pattern Ultimate IP69K dust and waterproof rating It really feels like a lot of the Oppo Reno 16 5Gs appeal is in its design. Even on Oppos website, a
substantial amount of attention is placed on its aesthetic, which is meant to radiate summer looks and star vibes. And I have to say, this is a really great-looking phone.

The Pop White variant I tested is slim, lightweight, and has an excellent standard of build it's constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum, according to Oppo. The Reno 16 5G is a fairly compact device, with a 6.32-inch display, and it feels incredibly comfortable in-hand. It's worth noting that it's very similar form-wise to my Xiaomi 17 , so moving across to the Reno 16 5G felt natural for me, but if youre accustomed to a larger phone, like the iPhone 17 Pro Max , say, then it may feel a little undersized to you.

Something thats unique about this device is its use of Holoverse 3D technology. On the glass back cover of the phone, youll see a visual of a floating planet that actually pops out at you, much like graphics on a 3D display but without having to wear the glasses. It looks fantastic, Ive never seen this on a phone before, and it adds some nice flair to the Reno 16 5Gs aesthetic.

Right, weve ascertained that this is an excellent-looking phone, but does the Oppo Reno 16 5G have the practical elements to make it a true design marvel? Well, yes.

It has well-sized buttons, the camera module is pretty low-profile, and perhaps best of all, the device has an IP69K rating. IP69K is the pinnacle of the dust and waterproof rating tree, and means that the phone is fully protected against dust ingress and can survive high-pressure,
high-temperature water jets from close range. It will even survive being submerged underwater, meaning it's pretty accident-proof though I still wouldnt recommend scrolling in the shower or anything. Design score: 5/5 (Image credit: Future) Oppo Reno 16 5G review: display 6.32-inch AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate Solid peak brightness of 3,600 nits The Oppo Reno 16 5G has the sort of screen youd expect from a mid-range device. It has a 6.32-inch AMOLED display, with a 2640 x 1216 sometimes known as Full HD+ resolution.

But what does this mean in-use? Well, I found that the Reno 16 5G produced vibrant, punchy colors, solid contrast, and decent detailing. When watching a wildlife video on YouTube in 1080p HDR , I was struck by rich green tones, intense reds, and azure blues that helped every part of the environment pop. When tuning into The Dark Knight Rises on Netflix, black levels werent the best Ive seen, but the picture was still relatively detailed, and finer elements, like lines on faces were still perfectly visible.

As youd expect from a mid-range model, the Reno 16 5Gs display has a 120Hz refresh rate. That means that keen mobile gamers can enjoy 120fps gameplay,
if software supports it that is. More generally, this meant that scrolling
and typical use was incredibly smooth and fluid.

In addition, the Reno 16 5G has a commendable peak brightness of 3,600 nits. This meant that I had no issues using the phone outdoors during an incredibly bright (and sweltering) summer in the UK.

All in all, youre getting good performance for a phone in the mid-range category. Dont expect flagship quality in terms of detailing and resolution, but when comparing it against rivals, youll likely be satisfied with the Reno 16 5Gs display. Display score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future) Oppo Reno 16 5G review: software Runs ColorOS 16.0, with five years of OS and six years of security updates Lots of AI functionality but some parts are more welcome than others Relatively light on bloatware The software experience on the Oppo Reno 16 5G is pretty good overall, but it isnt without its flaws.

This phone runs ColorOS 16.0 out of the box, which is running on Android 16. Youll get five years of OS updates, and six years worth of security updates. This is pretty good for a phone in this price-range, and will likely serve most users across their time with the device.

ColorOS 16.0 provides the kind of user experience that those familiar with Android would expect. The UI is clear and looks pretty stylish, accessing
apps and settings is quick and easy, and you can customize the home screen swiftly.

But lets take a deeper look at what the Reno 16 5G has to offer. Like a lot
of rivals, Oppo is going pretty hard on AI functionality. To be honest, I
dont ever use AI functions on my usual phone, but there are a few options worth highlighting.

Most functions sit in the Mind Pilot app, which lets you make use of Gemini, Perplexity, or ChatGPT, or as I like to call them, the three horsemen of the apocalypse. You can insert basic prompts, ask it to remember vocal prompts
and store them as memories, or manage your transactions. Essentially, its
able to record and collect content on-screen, and help you organize it all in one central hub. Does it work? Sure. But Id rather handle these sorts of
tasks manually

The Reno 16 5G also uses AI to generate some wallpaper options for you at least thats what it did for me by default. The results are often ugly and unlikable. The prompts are also left on the wallpaper, a decision I find baffling decision. A lowlight was Farmer saves kittens using a broom handle, which literally just displayed a ginger cat swimming underwater. This is the sort of AI use that leaves a sour taste, and almost no one actually wants it. Thankfully, you can disable this, but Oppo, please just get rid of this feature.

Something that I did appreciate, however, was that the Reno 16 5G was pretty light on bloatware. Youll see a few unwanted apps AliExpress, Temu, and
Block Blast to name a few. But I wasnt subjected to a swathe of shoddy mobile games or unwanted AI chatbots something I got on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15
Pro 5G and most of the pre-installed stuff was things youd expect, like Google and Meta apps, for instance.

And to finish on a high, I want to shout-out the Snap Key. This is a button
on the left side of the phone that enables you to instantly trigger one of many functions. Options include: taking a screenshot, turning on the torch, opening the camera, and more. It's fully customizable and works like a dream, and I wish my flagship Xiaomi phone had this. Software score: 3.5/5 (Image credit: Future) Oppo Reno 16 5G review: cameras Very solid 50MP main camera But the telephoto lens is a real highlight Solid selfie camera and video performance I used the Oppo Reno 16 5G to take photos in a wide variety of lighting conditions, both inside and outside testing all of its cameras and video performance in the process. And after checking the final results, I
have to say that the Reno 16 5G is a pretty nifty phone for photography.

The main 50MP camera is really solid, delivering the exact kind of quality Id expect from a mid-range device. In bright outdoor conditions, the camera is
at its best, producing vibrant colors and plenty of detail. I snapped some trees by my office, and the richness of the greens and gorgeous blue sky were captured fantastically well. Taking photos also feels incredibly easy, with image stabilization on board.

On a more overcast day, the main camera maintained impressive color accuracy and delivered great contrast. Some finer details couldve looked clearer, but the final results were strong overall. The main camera also did great indoors with, or without, artificial lighting. It replicated the striking emerald green color of my strange yet beloved frog ornament, for instance.

Something that truly exceeded my expectations, though, was the Reno 16 5Gs telephoto lens. Usually, budget or mid-range phones struggle to provide clear and detailed images when zooming in too far, but the Reno 16 5G is an exception. Even when taking a photo at 7x zoom, the intricacies of a building in the distance were surprisingly clear, and details of surrounding foliage were captured with relative ease.

You also get a good quality, 50MP selfie camera, which can zoom out to easily fit you and all of your friends in frame. No more weird arm craning needed.

Video is also great on the Reno 16 5G. You can capture footage in 4K at 60fps
either with the main or selfie camera. Advanced stabilization tech and tilt correction help you to get smooth, fluid, and quality footage at all times.

There are a number of editing and processing tools that also help you get impressive results on the Reno 16 5G. These include ProXDR, which shows your photos with enhanced dynamic range, and AI Remix Collage, which includes options like an AI eraser, and Perfect Shot (which detects stuff like closed eyes). Camera score: 4.5/5 Image 1 of 6 A church hidden among trees, taken in natural light outdoors (Image credit: Future) The same photo, but using 7x zoom (Image credit: Future) Photo of trees by my office (Image credit:
Future) Frog ornament, taken in low-light indoors (Image credit: Future) A photo of buildings taken in the evening (Image credit: Future) A street in Bath, England, taken in the morning (Image credit: Future) Image 1 of 6 View Original Image 2 of 6 View Original Image 3 of 6 View Original Image 4 of 6 View Original Image 5 of 6 View Original Image 6 of 6 View Original Oppo Reno 16 5G review: performance Smooth everyday performance with Qualcomm
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor Really good built-in speakers, good codec
support 8GB of RAM enough for multi-tasking, but gets a little hot with higher-demand stuff Like a lot of its recently released fellow mid-rangers, the Oppo Reno 16 5G makes use of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset. This is a pretty solid option shared by other models weve rated highly, like the
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro . But how does it perform in practice?

Well, I found the Reno 16 5G to run nicely, and experienced very few performance blips during my intensive testing. Of course, it handles the standard stuff like social media scrolling, menu navigation, and surfing the web with ease. But I also found it up-to-the-task for gaming. I hopped onto Genshin Impact a relatively demanding, 3D game and the Reno 16 5G handled
it without a hitch. Whether I was dashing around sprawling areas, doing
battle with mysterious creatures, or watching cinematics, the phone held its own with frame drops kept pretty minimal.

Even when multi-tasking between a lot of apps at once, then Reno 16 5G seemed to keep things under control. I had one occasion where there was a bit of slow-down on the home screen, but this only lasted for a very brief moment. The model I used has 8GB of RAM, which is the standard for a mid-range handset.

One thing I will say is that when the processor is put to work, the device
can get pretty hot to the touch. Its something Ive also experienced with my Xiaomi 17, and after I left the phone to cool off for a few minutes, it was fine to use again, but this is an issue that some more powerful phones may
not pose.

An area of the phones performance that impressed me was its audio capabilities. I review a lot of audio gear here at TechRadar, so it's fair to say that I have high standards. But I found this to be a great lil device sound-wise, right across the board. The built-in speakers provide
surprisingly clean, articulate sound, and although theres little in the way
of bass, Id never expect impactful low-end from phone speakers.

Theres also excellent Bluetooth codec support, with both LDAC and aptx
(thanks to the Snapdragon chip). That means you can enjoy higher-res wireless streaming on the go, if you have compatible headphones or speakers, like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose SoundLink Max . Performance score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future) Oppo Reno 16 5G review: battery life 6,000mAh battery is good for a days use Supports 80W wired charging No wireless charging The Oppo Reno 16 5G has a 6,000mAh battery, and while Ive tested phones with more than this,
thats still quite large. I found it to be good for a days worth of mixed
usage gaming, watching videos, scrolling the web, and general use. Your mileage will vary depending on the applications you use and how intensive
they are, but Oppo says you get over 60 hours worth of calling time with the Reno 16 5G. Not bad, is it?

When your phone does run dry, it doesnt take all too long to bring it back to life, either. It supports very fast 80W wired charging, and I found it could charge to full in around an hour.

Something that I found slightly disappointing, though, is that the Reno 16 5G does not support wireless charging. At this price, it wouldve been a nice feature to have, especially as my wireless charger stand is a staple of my office desk setup.

Its also worth noting you get the standard battery preservation options, battery saving settings, and a hub where you can view battery use by app. Battery life score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Oppo Reno 16 5G? Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Score

Design

Gorgeous looks, great standard of build, top-tier IP69K dust and waterproofing.

5/5

Display

Solid display at this price-point with 120Hz refresh rate.

4/5

Software

Neat OS with easy-to-use UI, relatively light on bloat, but some small quirks and odd AI functionality.

3.5/5

Cameras

Great quality for a mid-range phone with an especially admirable telephoto lens.

4.5/5

Performance

Steady performance across the board with impressive audio.

4/5

Battery life

Large battery for all-day use, speedy charging, but wired only.

4/5 Buy it if

You want a super-stylish handset If theres one thing Oppo wants you to know about the Reno 16 5G, it's how stylish and trendy it looks. And Id have to agree, whether its the pretty color options, slim build, or 3D holographic design, this phone is very easy on the eye.

You want great camera quality I was really impressed by the Oppo Reno 16 5Gs camera quality. Its telephoto lens is the real highlight, and even at 7x
zoom, my photos had great levels of detail and color accuracy. Dont buy it if

You need wireless charging Given that the Reno 16 5G is on the pricer side for a mid-ranger, I was hoping that it would have wireless charging. If this is a deal-breaker for you, then Id recommend the Google Pixel 10, which is often on sale now that its successor has arrived.

Youre on a budget The Reno 16 5G is pretty pricey, and it faces some red-hot competition from more affordable mid-rangers like the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, for instance, which you can read about down below. If youre on a budget, then that might be the better pick. Oppo Reno 16 5G review: also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell - Column 0

Oppo Reno 16 5G

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro

iPhone 17

Price

649 (about $880)

$499 / 499

$799 / 799

Dimensions

6 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches / 151.2 x 72.4 x 8.4mm

6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches / 163.7 x 76.6 x 8mm

5.9 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches / 149.6 71.5 8mm

Weight

6.6oz / 188g

7.41oz / 210g

6.2oz / 177g

Cameras

50MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto

50MP wide, 8MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope

48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide

Battery

6,000mAh

5,080mAh

3,692mAh

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is easily one of our favorite mid-rangers on the market. Its oozing in style, has a gorgeous 6.8-inch display, offers solid performance, and has a clean software experience too. It's a bit cheaper than the Reno 16 5G, although Oppos phone arguably boasts better cameras. Read our full Nothing Phone (4a) Pro review .

iPhone 17 Its a slight step-up in price from the Oppo Reno 16 5G, but the iPhone 17 is a great phone worth considering if you want a mixture of great design, performance, and a seamless user experience. Though its battery life is nothing special, and it lacks a telephoto lens, it still offers a stylish and simple user experience backed up by the powerful A19 chip. Read our full iPhone 17 review . How I tested the Oppo Reno 16 5G Tested over the course of a week Used for gaming, photography, and general productivity Made full use
of various features and camera settings I spent a week testing the Oppo Reno 16 5G, during which time I tested out its various features, put it through
its paces with mobile games, and snapped a whole lot of photos.

When taking photos, I stuck mainly to the 16:9 aspect ratio, and tried snapping buildings, foliage, household objects and more in a range of
lighting conditions. These included: artificial light, low-light indoors, natural light outdoors and indoors, and nighttime outdoors. I also made sure to assess the phones battery life across a full day of mixed usage, compare its software to that of my Xiaomi and Nothing phones, and test its display side by side with some rivals.

More generally, Ive spent years testing gadgets here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. Ive reviewed a number of phones including the budget-friendly Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G and the flashy Nothing Phone (4a) . Read more about how we test First reviewed: August 2026 Oppo Reno 16 5G: Price Comparison 549 View 649 View 649 View 649 View gift 699 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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