After the launch of the base and the Pro model, OPPO is now gearing up to release the Reno12 F 5G in the Philippines – the most affordable entry in the Reno12 5G family.
As is the case with previous Reno lineups, the F model is getting released last. With this phone’s upcoming PH launch, those on a tighter budget have the option of grabbing a phone from OPPO that has most of the same AI features as thee base and the Pro model. Of course, given its F designation, the Reno12 F 5G has some key differences with the base Reno12.
To start, its design looks surprisingly different. While the base and Pro models share a similar look (complete with the rectangular camera module), the Reno12 F has a circular camera setup that makes it seem almost like it’s not part of the same family. Despite it being an unexpected design choice, the Reno12 F is still a good-looking phone overall.
For this model, OPPO does not have a black colorway as the two color options are Olive Green and Amber Orange. The unit that we have with us is the Amber Orange color, and it has an eye-catching gradient complete with a unique pattern when the light hits it at an angle. What we like most about it though is that it has a matte finish which makes it easier to grip. Plus, it’s not at a fingerprint magnet which should be great news for users who want to rock the phone without a case.
For its screen, OPPO packed the Reno12 F with a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also packs Asahi Glass AGC DT-Star2 protection. While it’s not Corning Gorilla Glass, the Asahi Glass should give it good protection against scratches.
Speaking of protection, the phone also comes with an IP64 water and dust resistance rating, meaning it should still have good protection from the elements – great if you need to use your phone when navigating outdoors for example. This is a nice touch considering that the base and Pro models have IP65 ratings, so getting the F version doesn’t come with a big step down in terms of longevity.
For its cameras, the phone packs a 50MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP triple rear camera setup along with a 32MP selfie shooter. On paper, the Reno12 F’s cameras seem exactly the same as the base Reno12, though there are some differences. The base model has a should still have a better-spec’d main shooter, plus its selfie camera has phase detection auto focus and a lower f-stop which should make for brighter photos.
Still, the fact that the F model has comparable cameras should make its photography capabilities interesting, though that’s an area of the phone that we’ll explore more in our full review.
According to OPPO, the highlight of this phone is its wealth of AI features. Even though it’s the most affordable entry in the series, the Reno12 AI features are all still here. Yes, that means the Reno12 F still has AI optimization for portrait photos, along with AI LinkBoost which should guarantee that it has great connectivity even in challenging conditions.
Even the AI Studio app is back for this phone. In case you’re unfamiliar, the AI Studio is a Reno12-exclusive app that transforms a user’s photo into a creative image via generative AI. Plus, the AI Eraser 2.0 should also be here, giving users more ways to edit their photos.
While pretty much all the AI features are of the more premium models are still here, we’ll have to test the Reno12 F to see if it can run them smoothly for everyday use.
Finally, let’s talk performance. The Reno12 F is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset that’s paired with 8GB of RAM. This is an interesting choice as the previous Reno11 F has a MediaTek Dimensity 7050, a chipset that has a higher clock speed and slightly better performance (at least when looking at some benchmark data online).
As such, the Reno12 F seems to not be as powerful on paper as its previous generation model. This is a bit surprising, though we still have to test out the phone to see if the performance difference is noticeable.
Finally, when it comes to battery life, the Reno12 F promises to be last for a while on a single charge with its 5,000mAh battery. This is also paired with 45W fast charging support with its charger that’s included inside the box.
From the looks of it, the Reno12 F 5G may be an interesting mid-range contender, especially for those who have been eyeing a Reno12 device but want something a bit more affordable. This is thanks to its array of AI features.
Before we give a recommendation, we’ll have to test the device some more, especially for its cameras and performance. The phone’s performance in particular is one that we’re keen to explore given that its processor doesn’t seem to be an upgrade from the previous model. Of course, that will have to wait for our full review.
As for its launch, the Reno12 F 5G is coming to the PH soon. More details will be revealed by OPPO in the coming weeks.
OPPO Reno12 5G specs:
- 6.57-inch FHD+ display, 120Hz refresh rate
- Asahi Glass AGC DT-Star2 protection
- MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor
- Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- Rear cameras: 50MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP triple rear camera setup
- Front camera: 32MP
- 5G, LTE – Dual SIM
- Under-display Fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C port
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.3
- 5000mAh battery with 45W wired Fast charging
- Android 14 with ColorOS 14