‘Slinky’. That’s usually the first word that comes to my mind, each time I unbox an OPPO Reno device. We’ve come to expect Reno series devices to be lightweight and comfortable to hold. OPPO must be credited with sticking with this template even a couple of years of ago when clunky phones almost took over the market with their heavy duty batteries and large screen. The Reno 8T is a mid-year refresh of OPPO’s Reno line and lands about six months after we put the Reno 8 Pro to the test. As input costs increase and smartphone pricing dynamics change, the Reno 8T makes a play in the sub Rs 30K segment. Should you be excited?
OPPO glow
If bling is your thing, then the Sunrise Gold (that we checked out) colour variant is certainly up your alley. You could skip this shimmering option and opt for the more sedate Midnight Black colour option but we think it’s not as interesting. This blingy phone reflects an array of colours from multiple angles and yet, it’s not over the top. OPPO pushes the Reno into a curved design language territory after the flat-edge design template of its predecessors. It’s just above 170 gm and under 8mm thick. This device feels really good in your hand. It’s all-screen, with an impressive 92% screen: body ratio. We also approve of the bold rear camera design. Overall, the Reno 8T scores on design.
Get up close
OPPO ditches an ultra-wide lens in the rear cam set up. This is a recurring trend in 2023 as brands try to experiment with their rear cameras. You get a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP microscope lens that allows you to shoot 20X or even 40X. Think insects, flowers and fabric that can all create interesting abstract shots as we found out. Is this more useful than an ultra-wide lens? That might boil down to your use case scenarios. The primary lens (a 108MP sensor, f/1.7) delivers solid results across scenarios. Selfie duties are handled by a 32MP front cam. You can opt for OPPO’s aggressive beautification options that remove dark circles faster than any overnight creams. Portrait images are a big part of OPPO’s pitch with Bokeh Flare Portrait and AI colour portrait options.
A solid package
At its heart is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor. It’s certainly not the zippiest at this price point as our Geekbench tests reveal (2029 multi-core). OPPO is certainly not betting on this device’s speed credentials as much as design sensibilities. Although you do get a 67W fast charger in the box that powers this device in 44 minutes flat. Battery life is quite solid, OPPO has managed to cram a 4800 mAh battery despite its slim form. The Reno 8T is a good looking device, it makes a great fashion statement and feels ultra-light despite a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display (2412 x 1080 pixels) with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s one of the many features that makes this device a serious contender at its asking price.
The OPPO Reno 8T comes in Midnight Black and Sunrise Gold and costs Rs 29,999 (8GB/128GB)
