OPPO Reno 16 Pro Review: A Compact Powerhouse with a Gimmicky Rear Screen
OPPO's Reno series has always straddled the line between mid-range and flagship, and the new Reno 16 Pro continues that trend. This compact phone packs a 6.32-inch display, a 6,700mAh battery (in some markets), and a versatile triple-camera setup, all wrapped in an iPhone-inspired design. But the headline feature is the optional 'Bubble' rear display add-on, which aims to make vlogging easier. We got hands-on with the phone and the accessory to see if they're worth your money.
The Bubble: A Nifty Concept with Flaws
The OPPO Bubble is a tiny magnetic display that attaches to the back of the Reno 16 Pro via a compatible case. It serves as a viewfinder for the rear cameras, which is handy for vlogging or taking high-quality selfies. The hardware is light and compact, but the magnetic connection is weak—a simple tap on the power button can dislodge it. Setup is easy, and the interface offers basic controls like zoom and shutter, but it lacks advanced features like palm shutter or full camera modes. When detached, it can act as a remote shutter, but you lose access to portrait and night modes. At £99 for the Bubble and £29.90 for the case, it's an expensive add-on that might not get much use.
Camera Performance: Solid Main, Weak Ultrawide
The Reno 16 Pro's camera setup is intriguing on paper: a 200MP main, a 50MP 3.5x telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide. In daylight, the main shooter delivers pleasing colors, though some shots are overly sharp. Night performance is adequate for the main camera, but the ultrawide struggles with darker, mushier images. The telephoto is good in bright light but degrades in mixed lighting. OPPO's dynamic high-resolution mode captures ~26MP shots in good light, but there's no forced 200MP mode. The camera app includes useful scene modes and film simulations, but lacks some advanced features found on competitors.
Performance and Battery: Mid-Range Chip, Solid Endurance
The Reno 16 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8550 Super, which is a mid-range chipset with all-medium cores. In benchmarks, it lags behind rivals like the Galaxy S25 FE and OnePlus 15R, but real-world performance is smooth for everyday tasks. The phone excels in sustained performance tests, maintaining stability better than the Galaxy S25 FE in the Wild Life Stress Test, though it struggles in the Extreme Stress Test. The 6,700mAh battery (6,000mAh in Europe) should easily last a full day, and 80W wired charging (55W PPS compatible) gets you back up quickly. There's no wireless charging, which might disappoint some.
Key Takeaways
- The OPPO Bubble is a creative but expensive accessory with a weak magnetic connection.
- The Reno 16 Pro offers a compact form factor and a large battery, making it a practical daily driver.
- Camera quality is good for the main shooter, but the ultrawide and telephoto have limitations in low light.
- Performance is smooth for everyday use, but gaming enthusiasts may want a more powerful chipset.
Source: AndroidAuthority • 🌍
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