OPPO F29 Pro 256GB

Like the OPPO F27 Pro+, the F29 Pro skips the ultra-wide camera, which puts it in a tough spot against competitors like Motorola and Nothing, both of which not only offer ultra-wide snappers but also include dedicated telephoto lenses in their latest offerings. Interestingly, the 64MP primary sensor from the previous generation has been replaced by a 50MP sensor on the F29 Pro, now featuring OIS (optical image stabilization). The selfie camera gets a considerable upgrade, now featuring a 16MP sensor (8MP on the F27 Pro+).If you're not bothered by the lack of an ultra-wide, the primary camera holds up well in daylight and low-light conditions. Typically, OPPO leans towards a cool-to-natural colour science here, often with a noticeable contrast and deeper shadows for a dramatic appeal.

Unlike the regular variant with the Qualcomm chipset, the Pro model draws power from the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC, which appears to be a go-to choice for several smartphone OEMs. The same chipset also powered last year's Oppo Reno 12 Pro, OPPO's first smartphone in India with OPPO Gen AI features. While the Dimensity 7300 SoC may not be a powerhouse (if we go by the numbers), it is sufficient for daily work, like multitasking, browsing, and light gaming.Heavy gamers - especially BGMI fans - might want more firepower, as the OPPO F29 Pro only managed to hit 29FPS in our continuous gaming test (30 minutes of BGMI). That said, since the phone uses the "Energy" variant of the chipset, overall battery management after 60 minutes of demanding gameplay was surprisingly decent.Surely, it wouldn't hurt if OPPO opted for a more powerful processor, especially as rivals like the iQOO Neo 10R and POCO X7 Pro (review) continue to push performance boundaries. The Dimensity 7300 Energy feels like a safe and calculated choice as OPPO has clearly optimised this chipset to unlock its AI capabilities - and it shows.Some of my favourite Gen AI tools in the market right now come from OPPO, largely because they don't rely on a proprietary keyboard or browser to function. For instance:AI Summary condenses long web pages and documents in seconds.AI Write can generate captions or proofread existing text, no matter which keyboard you're using.AI Speak reads long articles for you, making it a perfect tool when you'd rather listen than scroll.AI Studio is a fun creative tool that lets you build avatars of yourself or loved ones (no Ghibli-style art yet).OPPO has introduced several AI-powered camera features. While some may feel a bit hit-or-miss, it's encouraging to see these additions. Notably, the upgraded AI Object Eraser can remove unwanted elements from photos with impressive accuracy in many cases.As part of ColorOS 15 (based on Android 15), users can access Google's Circle to Search and Gemini Live. OPPO's proprietary UI continues to feel snappy with each new generation, but it could definitely benefit from a longer software update cycle. There's also room for improvement when it comes to pre-installed apps. The F29 Pro, for instance, ships with as many as 18 third-party apps, which can make the software experience cluttered.

Like OPPO's more premium offerings, the F29 Pro packs a massive battery and comes with 80W fast charging support, with the charger included in the box.In my brief usage, the battery backup was impressive. Even with heavy use, the phone managed to last nearly two hours on just a 20 percent charge. You can easily expect all-day battery life on a single charge. As mentioned earlier, it also stood its ground against gaming-focused rivals in our lab tests, especially in terms of battery management and general usage.Charging speeds were decent, if not the best. The iQOO Neo 10R, which also supports the same 80W charging and has a larger battery, took less time to go from 20 to 100 percent. Still, considering the F29 Pro is powering a 6,000mAh battery, the charging time remains respectable.SmartphoneBattery (charging speed)Charging timeOPPO F29 Pro6,000mAh (80W)60 minutesNothing Phone 3a Pro5,000mAh (50W)51 minutesiQOO Neo 10R6,4000mAh (80W)42 minutes