Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G review

Competition

The Reno4 Pro 5G is a really appealing proposition, packing next-gen connectivity, a triple camera, industry-leading charging capability, and a great display. That's before accounting for its price, though - a listing with an EU retailer shows the phone goes for roughly €750. The Reno has some superior flagship phones pitted against it at this price point, while a comparable experience can be had for even half the money. Unfortunately, that does not put the Reno4 Pro 5G in a great market position.

If you are willing to spend Reno money, the Galaxy S20 FE seems like a no-brainer. For a little over €700, you can get the 5G version, which will come with a vastly more powerful top-end chipset. The FE is also IP68-rated for dust and water protection, it has better battery life while also running its display at 120Hz (90Hz on the Reno and with caveats), and has checkmarks for small niceties like wireless charging and microSD slot. The Reno could probably entice you with its more svelte frame and ridiculous charging speed, but we're not feeling it.

A relatively close relative of the Reno4 Pro 5G, the OnePlus 8T comes with savings too. Despite that, it packs the beefier Snapdragon 865, has a 120Hz-capable display, and is already running Android 11. The Reno is, admittedly, one tele camera ahead of the 8T.

If you're willing to concede the tele camera, perhaps an LG Velvet could be your thing. Another of the premium midranger variety, the Velvet, too, scores points for in-hand feel but enhances that with an IP68 rating - the Reno stops short. The LG phone is also strong on I/O with a 3.5mm jack and a microSD card, both missing on the Reno4 Pro 5G. The Oppo does outclass the Velvet for image quality and is ahead in display and battery life, and charging speed. The LG is cheaper, though, and has the Dual Screen as an option for productivity or media consumption.

Speaking of premium midrangers, the Motorola Edge quickly springs to mind. This one has a headphone jack and a microSD slot going for it over the Reno, and slightly better battery life, plus it's cheaper. The Reno counters with an overall better camera, superior speakers, faster charging - but at a higher price.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G • OnePlus 8T • LG Velvet 5G • Motorola Edge

Verdict

While it could be reasonably priced in its homeland, the Reno4 Pro 5G has a very prohibitive price tag in the western world. As such, it can't really compete when it comes to value, and it's not getting a recommendation from us.

That's not to say it's a bad phone - quite the opposite. An enjoyable handling experience gets you started, and you then go ahead to enjoy its bright 90Hz display. Pictures come out great under most circumstances, with respectable performance into the night as well. The battery will easily carry you there too, and you don't need to bother with overnight charging when a full charge takes half an hour. Solid stuff indeed. But not at €750, not at all.

Pros

• Top-level build, feels nicely thin and surprisingly lightweight.
• Excellent display.
• Solid battery life, super-fast 30-ish-minute charging.
• All-round capable camera system.

Cons

• Far from competitively priced, costs more than higher-tier smartphones.