Oppo Reno 14 Pro’s Dimensity 8450 chipset boosts everyday performance and efficiency
50 MP ultra‑wide sensor and 3.5× optical zoom transform travel photography
Pearl White frosted‑glass design offers marble‑like finish and fingerprint resistance
6,200 mAh battery achieves 7–8 hours screen‑on time with 80 W SuperVOOC charging
In about six months' time, Oppo has gone from the Reno 13 series to the Reno 14 series. It’s a relatively short period in this fast-paced smartphone industry. But, is it long enough for Oppo to justify the upgrades?
The Reno series, for Oppo, has always been about substance, style, and the road-tripping cameras at the back of the smartphone. And, to that extent, Oppo is keeping the Reno flag flying high. Gone are the days of the iconic shark-fin camera and the crazy designs. Oppo has settled into a more familiar feel, and that’s alright. It’s working for the company, and customers in the offline market are delighted with each new iteration.
The Reno 14 Pro features an updated chipset - MediaTek’s Dimensity 8450 SoC, compared to the Dimensity 8350 chipset in the Reno 13 Pro. There’s also a larger battery - 6,200mAh versus 5,800mAh. The Reno 14 Pro now supports eSIM (finally). The display is the same on both. A 6.83-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1272x2800 pixels. The Reno 14 Pro, though, has a higher screen-to-body ratio.
The Reno 14 Pro gets a much-needed upgrade in the camera department. The ultra-wide camera now features a 50MP sensor, up from the previous 8MP sensor. Both phones support 80W wired and 50W wireless charging.
But, enough about the differences. Let’s dive deeper into the brand new Reno 14 Pro from Oppo. It retails for Rs 49,999.
Road-Tripping Through Uttarakhand
The design of the Reno 14 Pro is likely to divide many consumers. I’m talking about the Pearl White colour variant here. It’s subtle, yet it’s extravagant. You have to see it to believe it. From afar, it resembles a marble structure, one that can shift colours as you tilt it in the light. It features a frosted glass back that effectively resists fingerprints and smudges, and has an aluminium frame. Like the Nothing Phone 3’s eclectic design, it’s one that will grow on you.
The one thing that Reno has always delivered upon is the in-hand feel. It’s comfortable, not too thick (7.5mm), and has a solid weight distribution (201 grams).
I took two separate trips to the Uttarakhand region. First, I was in Shitlakhet, spending a few days with family in a quiet and very serene Airbnb. Then, I accompanied other journalists and content creators to Dehradun and checked into a five-star hotel that overlooked the mountains. We also did a day trip to Landour.
Let me just tell you this. The Reno 14 Pro didn’t disappoint. From an infinity pool to making jam, and from a long, foggy walk to postcards, the Reno Pro was my constant companion. It was able to cut through the chaos and deliver upon its promise.
A power-packed camera setup is at the core of the Reno 14. From that dreamy 3.5x optical zoom (what an upgrade from its predecessor) to the 50MP selfie shooter, the Reno 14 Pro surpassed my expectations. You can truly ‘Travel with Reno’ now. It’s not something I would have said before. Yes, there is a huge gulf between the Reno 14 Pro and ‘flagship’ smartphones, like the Oppo Find X8 Ultra, but then again, look at the price you’re paying.
The main sensor produces colourful and punchy photos with true-to-life colours, and none are oversaturated. Even in challenging (low-light) conditions, the Reno 14 Pro holds its own. Sure, it can’t compete in the zoom game, but the portraits came out really well. Edge detection is stellar, and the background blur gives it a very natural feel. Skin tones are also largely on point. Oppo has been marketing its cameras on ‘natural skin tones’, and they have finally delivered.
Just don’t go beyond 3.5x zoom, and you’ll get portraits that will delight each and every one of your friends. The ultra-wide camera, though, was my favourite to shoot with. It’s a huge upgrade from the Reno 13 Pro, and I’m glad Oppo gave it a boost. The photos are sharp, with lots of details retained, and feature a 116-degree field of view; one can hardly complain.
Anything else about the Reno?
Yes, I’ve focused on the camera setup because that truly is the USP of the Reno series. Oppo has once again delivered, and I’m a happy camper. The rest of the phone is of the very run-of-the-mill kind. It won’t blow you away at all, and it isn’t the best in the other categories. But it does get the job done.
If you’re a gamer, consider saving some hard-earned cash and opting for the OnePlus 13R or the Poco F7. If you need better haptics, look at the OnePlus 13S. If you're looking for a more unique software experience, consider the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. You get the drift.
The Reno 14 Pro isn’t trying to be a flagship killer. It knows where its strengths lies, and that’s what makes it a standout in the offline market. It isn’t racing to have cram in all the best hardware (without much f software optimisation), which works in the online market. Still, I mentioned two of its key USPs above - design and cameras.
But, besides that? There’s the MediaTek Dimensity 8450 SoC. A solid mid-range chipset that delivers for daily tasks and overheats while gaming. But, if you’re into all this artificial intelligence stuff, then just know that the SoC has more than enough power for a smooth experience.
Then, let’s dive into the battery life. It’s solid. I was able to achieve a solid 7-8 hours of screen-on-time, which is impressive given the 6,200mAh battery and slim profile. This was with a medium to heavy usage pattern. The box includes an 80W SUPERVOOC charger, and the smartphone also supports 50W AirVOOC wireless charging. A full wired charging will take just under an hour.
Verdict: Best camera comparison?
Yes, I glossed over certain features, like software and AI capabilities, because there isn’t anything new to report. If you’ve ever used an Oppo phone before, then you’re in familiar territory. ColorOS 15 is fast and fluid, but it isn’t the most intuitive Android-based OS out there. I didn’t notice any lag or slowdown, and that’s a good thing.
The Oppo Reno 14 Pro isn’t a flagship killer; it simply knows its target audience, as I mentioned earlier. I binged a few episodes, watched some sports, clicked hundreds of photos, and typed out a few small documents (yes, the haptics can be a little better).
The camera is the standout, but I really hope that RAW capture is added as a feature in the Pro mode in a future update.
Still, is this the best mid-range smartphone today? Probably not. Is the Reno 14 Pro the best travel companion for the average Joe? Absolutely.
Visiting Uttarakhand and truly experiencing the camera capabilities of the Reno 14 Pro was a great decision. I’m a happy camper with some mountain views and an Oppo Reno 14 Pro.
