In late December, OPPO launched the Reno5 Pro+ as the high-end model in the Reno5 series. This device comes with a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor and Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC. The company also announced a special variant of this handset called OPPO Reno5 Pro+ Artist Limited Edition with an electrochromic rear glass panel. This special version is now up for pre-order in China.
OPPO is known for releasing special variants of its popular phones. Last year’s OPPO Reno4 Pro 5G had multiple such versions. One of them was ‘Artist Limited Edition’, in collaboration with James Jean, a Taiwanese-American artist. This variant of Reno4 Pro 5G had a distinct AG rear glass panel with an art etched on it.
However, the new OPPO Reno5 Pro+ 5G Artist Limited Edition boasts an electrochromic glass panel on its back. This device is designed in partnership with another artist called Joshua Vides, who is known for his sketch-like designs.
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Hence, this limited edition of OPPO Reno5 Pro+ 5G looks like it is out of a sketchbook. Also, it is the world’s first commercial smartphone with an electrochromic glass panel. Thanks to this tech, the device’s rear color can be changed from ‘Silver’ to ‘Blue’ by simply tapping on it. Since the company claims over 30,000 color change cycles, it should work up until the end of the handset’s lifecycle.
That said, this version of OPPO Reno 5 Pro+ 5G comes in a single 12GB + 256GB storage configuration. It is priced at ¥4,499 ($693) and is up for pre-order on JD in China ahead of its sale on January 22. Like the most limited edition smartphones by OPPO, this one may also remain exclusive to the brand’s home country.
Electrochromic glass made its first appearance on smartphones with the OnePlus Concept One at CES 2020. Later, vivo showcased a handset with a color-changing rear panel with this tech. ZTE’s Red Magic also has a gaming smartphone with a similar design in the works. OnePlus 8T Concept is another device with this type of glass. According to Digital Chat station, a well-known Chinese tipster, more OEMs will use electrochromic glass on their devices in 2021.
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