If you are in the market for a stylish and lightweight smartphone with features tailored toward social media, the Oppo Reno12 series might be the right choice. However, with only a few differences between the Reno12 Pro and the standard Reno12, one would wonder which offers better value for money. This article provides an in-depth comparison to help you decide.
Design and Build
The Oppo Reno12 Pro and Reno12 share a similar aesthetic, making it challenging to distinguish between them at first glance. Both devices are nearly identical in size, with the Reno12 Pro weighing 180g and measuring 161.5 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm, while the Reno12 is slightly lighter at 177g and measures 161.4 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm. Despite these minor differences, both phones feel almost identical in hand.
The Reno12 Pro has a slight edge with its Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, providing superior protection compared to the Reno12’s Gorilla Glass 7i. Both devices feature plastic frames and backs, ensuring durability without adding unnecessary weight. Both models are rated IP65 for dust and water resistance.
Display Quality
The display is one area where the Reno12 Pro and Reno12 are indistinguishable. Both phones boast a 6.70-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1080×2412 pixel resolution, and 394 ppi pixel density. The displays also support 10-bit color depth and HDR10+ content, offering vibrant and accurate colors. Brightness levels reach up to 1,000 nits in auto mode, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is another area where these two models are evenly matched. Both the Reno12 Pro and Reno12 come with a 5000 mAh battery, delivering excellent endurance. In our tests, both devices achieved similar results, with active use times around 14:54 hours for the Pro and 14:53 hours for the standard model. This impressive battery life is largely due to the efficient Dimensity 7300-Energy chipset.
When it comes to charging, both models support 80W SuperVOOC wired charging, which can charge the battery to 40% in 15 minutes and to 67% in 30 minutes, achieving a full charge in just 46 minutes. Unfortunately, neither phone includes a charger in the box. However, they can also be charged almost as quickly with a Power Delivery-capable charger.
Audio Performance
The audio experience on both the Reno12 Pro and Reno12 is very similar. Both devices feature a hybrid stereo speaker setup that delivers a loudness score of -24.0 LUFS, which is rated as very good. However, while the sound quality is acceptable, both phones would benefit from fuller sound, better bass, and less distortion at higher volumes.
Performance
Both the Reno12 Pro and Reno12 are powered by the Dimensity 7300-Energy SoC, ensuring efficient performance across various tasks. Benchmark tests reveal nearly identical scores, with the Reno12 Pro scoring 681,677 on AnTuTu 10, while the Reno12 scores 681,613. Geekbench 6 results are similarly close, with the Pro at 2,625 and the standard at 2,631, and 3D Mark scores are 3,174 for the Pro and 3,177 for the Reno12.
Memory configurations differ slightly between the two models. The Reno12 Pro is available in Europe with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the Reno12 offers 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This difference may be a deciding factor for those needing more storage.
Camera Capabilities
The most significant differences between the Reno12 Pro and Reno12 lie in their camera setups. The Reno12 Pro features a 50MP main camera, a 50MP 2x zoom camera, and an 8MP ultrawide camera. The selfie camera is also a 50MP sensor. In contrast, the Reno12 has a 50MP main camera, a 2MP macro camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP selfie camera.
In practice, the Reno12 Pro‘s dedicated 2x zoom camera offers better portrait photography capabilities, providing more detailed and sharper images. The selfie camera on the Pro model also delivers significantly better results, with sharper and more detailed images compared to the Reno12. However, for most casual users, the standard Reno12’s camera performance will be sufficient, especially for social media use.
Camera Performance Comparison
Main Camera:
- Reno12 Pro: 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.95″)
- Reno12: 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.95″)
Ultrawide Camera:
- Both models: 8MP (f/2.2)
Telephoto/Macro Camera:
- Reno12 Pro: 50MP 2x zoom (f/2.0, 1/2.75″)
- Reno12: 2MP macro camera
Selfie Camera:
- Reno12 Pro: 50MP (f/2.0, 1/2.75″)
- Reno12: 32MP (f/2.0, 1/3.1″)
Image Quality:
Given the mostly identical camera hardware, chipset, and ISP as well as software, it’s no surprise that we couldn’t find any difference in the photo samples during the day or after dusk. Both handsets offer identical performance in both scenarios. However, the Reno12 Pro has a slight edge over the vanilla with its dedicated 2x zoom camera. The Pro is able to produce better-looking stills as they are more detailed, slightly sharper, and noise-free.
On the other hand, the difference isn’t striking, so if you are mostly using your phone for casual social media posting and looking at your pictures on the device’s screen, we believe the Reno12 would do the job just fine. The same cannot be said about the selfies, as the Reno12 Pro is the clear winner here. It delivers considerably sharper and more detailed selfies. The difference is quite big mainly because the Reno12 insists on producing camera samples that are seemingly upsized to 32MP from a lower resolution (our best guess is 8MP as it’s a Quad Bayer sensor).
Video Quality:
While there are some nuances when it comes to photos, there are none when it comes to video recording capabilities. Both devices deliver identical-looking footage with all the cameras on the back. One would expect the Reno12 Pro to have superior 2x zoom videos, but as it turns out, it resorts to cropping from its main camera when recording videos. That’s why you won’t find any difference between the Reno12 Pro’s and Reno12’s 2x zoom clips.
Pricing and Value
The price difference between the Reno12 Pro and Reno12 is around €50-70, with the Pro being the more expensive option. Given the minor differences in features and performance, the choice between these two models depends on your specific needs.
Pricing Table:
| Model | RAM/Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reno12 Pro | 12GB/512GB | €565.39 – €743.45 |
| Reno12 | 12GB/256GB | €466.19 |
Verdict
Oppo Reno12 Pro
The Reno12 Pro is ideal if you value:
- A dedicated 2x zoom camera for better portrait photography
- Superior selfie camera quality
- Higher base storage with the 512GB option
- Tougher Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for better screen protection
Oppo Reno12
The standard Reno12 offers:
- A lower price while delivering a similar user experience
- Sufficient camera and performance capabilities for everyday use
- Identical display, battery life, and audio performance to the Pro model
In conclusion, both the Oppo Reno12 Pro and Reno12 are excellent choices, offering impressive features and performance. If you can afford the slightly higher price, the Pro model provides a few extra benefits that may be worth the investment. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing much in terms of functionality, the standard Reno12 will not disappoint.
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