Smartphones today have evolved beyond our expectations, thanks to advancements in AI technology. Features that were once unimaginable are now standard, enhancing both user experience and functionality.Â
One of the most affordable options that brings this advanced AI technology within reach is the OPPO Reno12 F 5G. In this article, I’ll be sharing my hands-on experience with the device and offering my verdict on whether it lives up to the hype.
I began using the OPPO Reno12 F 5G on August 1, putting it through a variety of real-world tests. From testing its camera capabilities and running performance benchmarks to using it on social media, entertainment apps, and even gaming, I explored how well this phone performs across different tasks. I also got feedback from friends who tried it out for gaming to provide a well-rounded perspective.
Camera
Let’s start with the camera, which is quite decent for a phone in this price range. The OPPO Reno12 F 5G features a 50MP main camera, a 2MP macro lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP selfie camera.
While it may not be the best camera in its class, it still delivers high-quality images in most situations. The photos are vibrant, though I noticed a slight lack of sharpness when zooming in. However, in well-lit conditions, the level of detail is impressive.
In low-light scenarios, the camera performs adequately—just be sure to activate Night mode for brighter, more defined shots.
One downside I noticed was that the video resolution maxes out at 1080p@60fps, when 4K@30fps is becoming more common in this price bracket. The video quality is decent but struggles in darker environments, which makes the camera more suited for still photography rather than videography.
A standout feature is the AI Eraser 2.0, which effectively removes unwanted objects from photos. It comes with handy tools like smart lasso, paint-over, and even a “remove people” option, making it easier to clean up your shots.
Another fun addition is the AI Studio, which can transform your image into different characters or scenarios—whether you want to appear as a Harvard student, spy agent, doctor, or firefighter—using the latest GenAI technology.
As for camera modes, the OPPO Reno12 F 5G offers a wide variety: Pro, Video, Photo, Portrait, Night, Hi-Res, Panorama, Macro, Slo-mo, Time-Lapse, Dual-View Video, Sticker, and Text Scanner.
Here are some sample photos taken with the OPPO Reno12 F 5G:
Display and Multimedia Experience
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G comes equipped with a 6.67-inch Flat OLED display boasting FHD+ resolution, and it delivers an impressive viewing experience. The colors are vibrant and rich, which makes watching videos and streaming content enjoyable. This is likely due to its support for 100% DCI-P3 and 100% sRGB color gamut, along with its 8-bit color depth—features typically found in higher-end displays.
Its display is also incredibly smooth, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through apps like Facebook feels fluid and responsive, enhancing the overall user experience. I didn’t encounter any issues with stuttering or frame drops, which speaks to the panel’s quality and the software optimization.
Another standout feature is its brightness, which goes up to an impressive 2,100 nits. Whether I was indoors or using the phone outside under bright sunlight, the display remained easy to read, eliminating the common issue of glare in direct light.
For audio, the Reno12 F 5G steps up with dual stereo speakers that offer surprisingly good sound quality. They get loud enough to fill a room, with support for up to 300% volume, which adds to the immersive experience when watching movies or listening to music. It’s a feature that definitely enhances the overall multimedia experience.
Additionally, the in-display fingerprint scanner is quick and responsive, unlocking the phone effortlessly with just a tap. You can also use face unlock to open your device.
Overall, the display and audio performance on the Reno12 F 5G is solid, standing out among other phones in its price range.
Performance
If you’re on the hunt for a reasonably priced smartphone that delivers reliable performance, the OPPO Reno12 F 5G could be one of the best options in its category. Powered by the 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6300 octa-core chipset and a Mali-G57 MP2 GPU, this phone offers solid performance for daily tasks.
While it’s not a powerhouse device—so don’t expect to run high-end, graphic-intensive applications seamlessly—it handles most common apps with ease. From my personal experience, using social media apps is smooth, likely due to well-optimized software. Running on ColorOS 14 based on Android 14, the Reno12 F 5G feels snappy and responsive.
Multitasking is also a breeze. Thanks to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and the RAM Expansion feature which can allocate up to 8GB of virtual RAM, switching between apps feels seamless. Whether I’m jumping between tasks or running multiple apps at once, the phone keeps up without any noticeable lag.
For gaming, the Reno12 F 5G is capable of handling light to moderate games such as Mobile Legends, Honor of Kings, and Call of Duty: Mobile. However, if you’re a hardcore gamer, this may not be the phone for you—it tends to struggle with more demanding games like Genshin Impact, even in the lowest graphics settings.
Storage is another highlight, with a generous 256GB UFS 2.2 internal storage. This should be more than enough for most users to store photos, videos, apps, and games. If you do need more space, the microSD card slot supports up to a whopping 2TB of additional storage.
In terms of benchmarks, the Reno12 F 5G scored over 454,019 points on AnTuTu and 8,242 on PCMark Work 3.0, which puts it in a decent range for its price. While these numbers don’t make it a top-tier performer, they’re respectable for a mid-range device.
Battery
The OPPO Reno12 F 5G boasts impressive battery life, thanks to its large 5,000mAh battery capacity and power-efficient chipset. In the PCMark Battery benchmark, it scored 15 hours and 47 minutes, which is a solid result. During everyday use, the phone easily lasts a full day with casual activities like social media browsing and light gaming.
Besides, the device supports 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging, which is efficient, though support for 60W or 80W SUPERVOOC would have been ideal. Nevertheless, the 45W SUPERVOOC charger is fast, taking just an hour to charge from 20-100%.
Final Verdict
The OPPO Reno12 F offers a well-rounded set of features that cater to today’s needs, making it a reliable companion for daily tasks. Its performance is solid, and the added AI features are a welcome bonus, especially considering its price range. While it may not be perfect, the camera capabilities make it a strong contender for those seeking quality photography on a budget. That said, I would recommend waiting for a sale or discount to get the most value for your money.
OPPO Reno12 F 5G SpecificationsÂ
- Display:Â 6.67-inch OLED, FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 2,100nits max brightness
- CPU:Â 2.4GHz 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 5G octa-core processor
- GPU:Â Arm Mali-G57 MC2
- RAM:Â 8GB, 12GB LPDDR4X RAM
- ROM:Â 256GB, 512GB UFS 2.2, expandable up to 2TB via microSD card slot
- Rear Camera:Â 50MP + 2MP macro lens + 8MP ultra-wide lens + LED flash
- Front Camera:Â 32MP
- Battery:Â 5,000mAh, 45W SUPERVOOC charging
- OS:Â ColorOS 14, Android 14
- Connectivity:Â 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi, 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, Hybrid SIM (nano), NFC
- Sensors:Â Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope
- Colors:Â Amber Orange, Olive Green
- Weight:Â 187g
- Dimensions: 163.05mm (H) × 75.75mm (W) x 7.69mm (D)
- Others:Â In-display fingerprint sensor, AI face unlock, USB-C, IP64 rating, Hola Audio, Dual speakers, Aqua Touch, BeaconLink, AI LinkBoost, AI ToolboxÂ
Price and availabilityÂ
OPPO Reno12 F 5G – PHP 18,999 | Shopee link | Lazada linkÂ
You can now buy the OPPO Reno12 F 5G from all OPPO’s authorized resellers nationwide and online through their official store on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop for only PHP 18,999.