Compact smartphones have become increasingly rare, especially in the mid-premium segment. Most brands have shifted towards larger displays, leaving users who prefer one-handed devices with limited choices. The Oppo Reno 16 attempts to fill that gap with a 6.32-inch display, premium build, capable cameras, and a massive 6,700mAh battery packed into a surprisingly compact body.
On paper, it ticks almost every box. You get four 50-megapixel cameras, IP69-level durability, ColorOS 16 with several new AI features, and long software support. However, there’s one specification that raises eyebrows considering its Rs 61,999 starting price.
After spending some time with the Twilight Violet 8GB+256GB variant, here’s whether the Reno 16 deserves a place on your shortlist.
6The Best Reason to Buy the Reno 16
Photography has always been the Reno series’ strongest selling point, and the Reno 16 continues that tradition.
The phone features a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 primary camera with OIS, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with autofocus, a 50-megapixel 3.5x periscope telephoto camera with OIS, and a 50-megapixel autofocus selfie camera.
It’s one of the most versatile camera systems you’ll find in this segment.
The primary camera consistently captures detailed photos with pleasing colours and excellent dynamic range. Oppo continues to favor natural-looking processing instead of oversaturated colors, and the results are easy to appreciate. Exposure remains reliable even in challenging lighting conditions.
The telephoto camera is arguably my favorite lens on the phone. Portraits look excellent with natural facial proportions, good background separation, and realistic skin tones. It also delivers impressive zoom quality without relying excessively on AI sharpening.
The upgraded ultra-wide camera is another welcome improvement. Color consistency between all three rear cameras is excellent, making lens switching feel seamless. Autofocus also enables close-up photography, although there isn’t a dedicated telemacro mode. Honestly, that’s not something I’d expect on the standard Reno 16 anyway.
Selfies are equally impressive. The autofocus front camera captures plenty of detail while maintaining natural skin tones, making it one of the better selfie cameras in this price range.
Low-light photography is another strength. Images retain good detail without looking artificially bright, and Night mode further improves shadow recovery while preserving the atmosphere of the scene.
Video recording is equally capable, with support for 4K 60fps HDR across all four cameras, ensuring consistent quality regardless of which lens you’re using. My only disappointment is that portrait video remains limited to 1080p.
As for the optional Oppo Bubble accessory, I wasn’t able to test it since it wasn’t included with my review unit.
