Prabhu RamThe premium smartphone market in India is essentially a hyper-competitive, three-way fight involving Samsung, Apple and OnePlus. Remember, in the premium segment, the brand loyalty is relatively higher, than as compared to the entry-level and value for money smartphone segment. Yet, the India market offers plenty of avenues for growth for smartphone brands offering competitive differentiation and unmatched consumer experience. With the Reno 10x Zoom and the Reno, OPPO has showcased a genuinely impressive phone series. What’s not to like?
In terms of pricing, OPPO has got it right for both the variants. With the Reno series, OPPO takes aim against the recently launched OnePlus 7 series, and other incumbents in the premium segment.
What’s the Reno all about?
The Reno marks a homecoming of sorts for OPPO in the premium smartphone segment in India. OPPO had previously tested the waters with its pathbreaking, concept phone, the Find X, and followed it up with the OPPO R17 Pro. While they did not achieve market success, they further established OPPO’s finesse and were an apt tribute to the rich innovation legacy of OPPO, backed by a strong patent arsenal of 22,000 patents.
Let us take a deeper look at the Reno itself. Beyond the specs, what OPPO has got right this time is the interesting pivot towards creating an emotional connect with consumers. In essence, focusing on bringing a smartphone that enables human creativity and ingenuity. 
The Reno 10x Zoom comes with a massive 6.6-inch OLED display while the Reno variant offers a 6.4-inch OLED display. Having an impressive screen ratio of up to 93.1%, the Reno series also comes equipped with sixth-generation Corning® Gorilla glass, further enhancing display durability. The Reno phones come in two gradient colour designs – Ocean Green and Jet Black.
Reno 10x Zoom
The Reno 10x Zoom sports a uber cool, Shark Fin Camera. It is not just another fancy gimmicky addition to the long list of recent pop-up cameras routinely launched by smartphone brands. The shark fin camera panel rises from the right side, and includes the front camera, front-facing soft light, receiver, and sports the flash unit on the back. The structure only requires 0.8 seconds to fully rise or lower, moving both smoothly and silently. According to OPPO, the shark fin pop-up will perform and last for at least 200,000 openings.
While other smartphone manufacturers have avoided the pop-up camera to avoid risking failure due to moving parts, OPPO has been pushing the envelope further. The Shark Fin camera panel reduces the risks arising from moving parts.
The OPPO Reno 10x Zoom sports the top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, ensuring snappy performance. The phone comes with a big 4,065mAh battery. This, in turn, is powered with OPPO’s VOOC 3.0 fast charging system.
The Reno 10x Zoom sports three rear cameras – a 48MP primary lens (f1.7) using Sony’s IMX586 Sensor, coupled with an 8MP ultra-wide and 13MP telephoto lens, capable of 10x hybrid zoom. OPPO deploys software and AI, to enhance and improve the overall quality of the photo.
With the Reno 10x Zoom, OPPO offers a choice of either 128GB or 256GB of built-in storage. The 6GB + 128GB variant comes at INR 39,990 while the 8GB + 256GB variant costs INR 49,990.
‘Standard’ Reno
Just like the Reno 10x Zoom, the standard Reno variant sports the Shark Fin Pop-up when the front camera is activated. The Reno comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, features a 3,765mAh battery, and is available in 8GB+128GB version. The OPPO Reno is priced at INR 32, 990.
Besides the difference in choice of chipset, what sets the Reno apart from the Reno 10x Zoom, is the camera set-up. Instead of the three camera set-up, the Reno comes with dual camera, including the 16MP front camera.
Both the Reno phone variants come with a proprietary system-level optimization solution, Hyper Boost 2.0, developed independently by OPPO. Hyper Boost 2.0 includes three separate modules: Game Boost, System Boost, and App Boost. These modules provide significant improvements to gaming performance, system speed, and app opening speed.
The Reno series have the latest version of OPPO’s ColorOS software, ColorOS 6, running on top of Android 9.0 Pie. The OS has vastly improved, and comes with an app drawer as well.
Both phone variants in the Reno series come with in-built stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos offering, new audio mobile enhancements, including impressive sound on the go.
In Conclusion
If one were to consider the OPPO Reno 10x Zoom, consumers would find an aesthetically appealing flagship phone, with innovation-rich features. Plus, the Snapdragon 855, ample storage options and liberal RAM make the Reno 10x Zoom as an unbeatable value proposition.
On the other hand, the Reno is a well-designed entry-level premium smartphone that shines with OPPO’s flagship-grade design, as well as the Shark Fin camera system.
In conclusion, the Reno Series from OPPO provide an interesting, and compelling value proposition for consumers. Both variants should enable OPPO in making the right impression, and in vying for honours in the premium smartphone segment.
Let me say it loud.
The incumbents in the premium smartphone segment should be wary, and definitely watch out.
