OPPO Reno 16 first impressions: familiar feel, refreshed design
The OPPO Reno 16 5G series is set to launch in India as the latest premium mid-range lineup from the brand. It will succeed the Reno 15 series, which was launched in India earlier this year. OPPO follows a bi-annual launch cycle for its Reno lineup. The new Reno 16 continues with the compact design of its predecessor, the Reno 15 (review), and a striking design as well. OPPO has always been known for its charming aesthetics, especially in the Reno series, and the same strategy has been applied to the latest Reno 16.
Ahead of the India launch, and with more details to be revealed about the Reno 16, we got to experience the phone and talk about its design. Here are our first impressions of the Reno 16.
Same compact feel, striking design
The Reno 16, like the Reno 15, has a compact body, perfect for those who like smaller phones. The colour variant that we received is the Starry White version. The handset has a 3D design of what’s supposed to portray a planet-like aesthetic. OPPO calls it its exclusive HoloVerse 3D. Personally, the 3D effect feels a little too strong. You also get a bit of sparkle, adding to the overall aesthetic.
Keeping aside the fact that it might make your head feel heavy, the 3D effect on the Reno 16 is actually quite impressive and would make the phone stand out, at least in terms of design. The Reno 16 is confirmed to launch in Twilight Violet and Stellar Purple colour variants as well.
Design remains subjective, and personally, the sparkly bow pattern on the Reno 15 series feels and looks much prettier.
The form-factor and in-hand feel stay premium and highly ergonomic. One-handed use is pretty easy on the Reno 16, thanks to its compact size. This means you can scroll through the phone, switch between apps, and type out messages with just one hand. The display might feel small for some users who are used to a large 6.7-inch display, but with very thin bezels, the Reno 16 still offers a sizeable screen that should be comfortable enough for watching videos, social media scrolling, and playing games.
The OPPO Reno 16 series debuts a new AI Snap Key, located on the top-left corner of the phone. Like the AI Plus Key on OnePlus phones, this one works similarly to save on-screen content to Mind Space, so users can find important details organised properly. The phone also doesn’t feel heavy in your hands, and the buttons, especially, give a good tactile feel. It’s quite slim, measuring 8.22mm in thickness and weighing 182g. At the bottom, the Reno 16 houses a Type-C port, a speaker grille, and the SIM tray. The earpiece on top doubles as a speaker.
The Reno 16’s 6.32-inch display feels crisp and vibrant with ColorOS 16 running in the background. The display offers a FHD+ resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1,800 nits. The handset is also confirmed to get IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications for dust and water resistance.
It’s too early to comment on the phone’s performance, as it’s something we can determine only after using it extensively. The Reno 16 is still expected to deliver capable performance for regular to moderate usage, as the series isn’t focusing on power users.
What to expect from the OPPO Reno 16
We’re yet to learn about the Reno 16’s specifications, but leaks suggest a triple camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor. Up front, too, the smartphone is tipped to house a 50MP selfie camera. The Reno 16 is also expected to launch with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset and a 6,000mAh battery in India, which would be different from the Chinese variant.
OPPO has also teased the Bubble accessory in India, which is a magnetic circular display that sticks to the back of the Reno 16. It’s designed to work as a selfie screen, letting you use the rear cameras for selfies. You can also customise the display with different wallpapers and use the OPPO Bubble as a bag charm. This accessory should make using the Reno 16 more fun, especially since the phone’s cameras are a big part of its selling point.
The Reno 16 series is expected to stand out as a premium compact option offering capable performance, versatile cameras, and a sizeable battery. If you prioritise a compact phone with good cameras, the Reno 16 might be worth considering, but Reno 15 users might want to compare properly before upgrading. Stay tuned for our full review for performance details.
