OPPO Reno12 F

The OPPO Reno12 F is the value entry of the Reno12 generation, and it takes a noticeably different route from its two siblings. Instead of a curved panel and a cutting-edge chip, it combines a flat 6.67-inch OLED screen, a MediaTek Dimensity 6300, a 5,000 mAh battery with 45W charging, an IP64 rating and a glowing ring around the camera module. OPPO's own event page for the Philippines listed its launch date as 20 August 2024, later than the Reno12 and Reno12 Pro, which appeared in June and July. This page uses the published specifications and OPPO's marketing material, and it flags marketing statements as claims.

A different kind of Reno12

The two other models in the family, the Reno12 Pro and the Reno12, share a 4nm Dimensity 7300-Energy chip and 80W charging. The F model drops to the Dimensity 6300, built on a 6nm process, and to 45W charging, and it has a flat OLED display rather than a curved flexible AMOLED. That is a clear step down on paper, but the pitch is different: a sturdy, long-lasting phone for everyday use, with a design that stands out. Successors in the catalogue include the Reno14. OPPO does not list a US price for the Reno12 F on the pages used for this review, so none is given.

Design built around the camera ring

The most obvious design feature is the round camera island. OPPO calls it the Cosmos Ring, and it holds the camera lenses and the flash inside a metal-look circle. Around it sits a light ring that OPPO calls Halo Light, which can glow in one colour or several and reacts to music, calls, charging and notifications. For some users this is a gimmick, for others a useful way to see a notification when the phone lies face down.

Two colours are offered. Amber Orange has a gradient with a fur-like texture, while Olive Green is a dark, matte-looking green. The phone measures 163.1 x 75.8 mm, weighs about 187 g and is about 7.76 mm thick in Amber Orange and 7.69 mm in Olive Green. That makes it the largest and heaviest of the three Reno12 phones, and the screen is flat, which many people find easier to hold and to protect with a case. The frame is a high-strength alloy, and OPPO describes the protection as "All-Round Armour". The IP64 rating means protection against dust and splashes from any direction but not jets or submersion, and OPPO says liquid damage is not covered by the warranty and advises against charging the phone while it is wet.

Screen: bright for the price

The display is a 6.67-inch OLED with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 and about 394 pixels per inch. The refresh rate can be set to 60 or 120 Hz. OPPO lists a typical brightness of 600 nits, 1,200 nits in direct sunlight and a local peak of 2,100 nits, which is a striking figure for a lower-priced phone, though a local peak applies to small bright areas rather than a full white screen. The panel uses 8-bit colour with a 16.7 million colour palette, and it offers Vivid and Natural modes. The cover glass is AGC DT-Star2. Eye-care features include hardware-level low blue light, a Bedtime Mode and an AI Brightness mode aimed at readability in sunlight.

Performance and memory

The Dimensity 6300 has eight cores and a Mali-G57 MC2 graphics unit. It is a chip for messaging, browsing, video and light gaming rather than for demanding 3D titles. Three memory configurations are listed: 8GB with 256GB, 12GB with 256GB and 12GB with 512GB, with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. OPPO adds that the system can borrow up to 12GB of storage as virtual RAM and that a storage-saving feature can free up to 20GB on the 256GB model and 40GB on the 512GB model after a system upgrade. These numbers come from OPPO's lab tests.

The phone ships with ColorOS 14.0 and supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and USB Type-C, with space for two SIM cards plus storage-card support. Its dual stereo speakers include a mode that OPPO says raises volume to 300%, and Holo Audio adds spatial effects. Software extras include Aqua Dynamics for notifications, File Dock for dragging items between apps and the AI Toolbox, which bundles summarising, writing and read-aloud tools. OPPO states that AI features may vary by region and software version and may need an account.

Cameras

The rear system is built around a 50MP main camera (f/1.8, autofocus) with an 8MP ultrawide camera (f/2.2) and a 2MP macro camera (f/2.4). Unlike the Reno12 and the Reno12 Pro, there is no optical stabilisation listed, and rear video tops out at 1080p at 60 fps. The front camera is a 32MP unit (f/2.4) with an optional wider-angle mode. OPPO highlights Pro Portrait Mode, dual-view video that records the front and rear cameras at once, and AI features such as AI Eraser 2.0, AI Smart Image Matting 2.0 and AI Studio. Anyone who films a lot will notice the absence of 4K recording, which the other Reno12 models offer.

Battery and charging

The Reno12 F carries a typical capacity of 5,000 mAh (4,870 mAh rated) and charges at 45W through SUPERVOOC. OPPO claims a charge from 1% to 100% in 71 minutes, and says ten minutes of charging can supply about 6.2 hours of calls or 5.05 hours of video. The usage claims are 1.94 days of typical use and up to 21 days of standby, and OPPO says the battery should keep above 80% capacity after more than four years of daily charging, calling this a theoretical calculation. The charging speed is slower than the 80W of its siblings but is still quick by general standards, and the battery size is identical.

Who it is for

This phone is for people who want a durable, good-looking Android phone with a bright flat screen and a big battery, without caring about the fastest processor or the best camera hardware. It also suits users who prefer a flat display and a larger body. Those who value 4K video, stabilisation and a faster chip should look at the Reno12 or Reno12 Pro. The Reno12 F vs Galaxy A56 page puts the phone next to a mainstream rival, and the rankings add more context.

Compromises

• The Dimensity 6300 is a basic chip, and storage is the slower UFS 2.2 type.
• No optical image stabilisation and no 4K video.
• Wi-Fi 5 rather than Wi-Fi 6.
• IP64 gives only splash protection, so avoid water exposure.
• The phone is larger and heavier than the other two Reno12 models.

The Reno12 F is best understood as a durable, bright-screen everyday phone, where the glowing camera ring is the main visual selling point and the hardware keeps things simple.