OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G Review: Better Camera in a Compact Form Factor

OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G

OPPO’s Reno series has always been about style and substance, and the Reno15 Pro 5G continues that tradition. But this time, OPPO made an interesting move. Instead of going bigger like most brands, they went smaller. The Reno15 Pro 5G is noticeably more compact than the Reno14 Pro 5G, and it comes with a serious camera upgrade.

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Build and Design

The Reno15 Pro 5G is a small phone by today’s standards. It measures 151.21 x 72.42mm and weighs just 187-188g depending on the color. That’s significantly smaller and lighter than the Reno14 Pro 5G, which came in at 201g with a 6.83-inch display. OPPO’s decision to shrink the phone makes sense for people who found the previous model too big to handle comfortably.

I like the size. It fits in one hand easily, and you can reach the top of the screen without doing finger gymnastics. This is rare in 2026, where most phones are pushing past 6.7 inches. The Reno15 Pro 5G feels refreshing because of this.

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The design itself is clean. You get either Aurora Blue or Dusk Brown finishes. The Aurora Blue, like our review unit, has OPPO’s signature Dancing Aurora Texture on the back, which creates this shimmering effect when light hits it. It’s not over the top, but it’s enough to make the phone stand out. The Dusk Brown option has a matte finish, which feels more premium and doesn’t pick up fingerprints as easily.

OPPO didn’t skimp on durability either. The Reno15 Pro 5G has IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings. That means it can handle water, dust, and even high-pressure water jets. You can take this phone to the beach, use it in the rain, or even shoot underwater. Speaking of which, there’s a dedicated Underwater Mode in the camera app. Just select “More” and tap “Underwater” to start shooting beneath the surface. That’s a nice touch for content creators who want to capture unique angles.

One thing worth mentioning is the camera module. OPPO designed it with what they call the “Dynamic Stellar Ring Design”. It catches light and refracts it to create a halo effect. It’s a small detail, but it adds character to the phone’s look.

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Being compact has its key benefits, and the design decision that OPPO made on “shrinking” the Reno14 Pro 5G and giving it a camera glow up is interesting, especially to those who did not buy the Reno14 Pro 5G. If you skipped the last generation because it felt too big, this one might change your mind. However, we don’t recommend getting this new one is you still got the older variant unless you want something closer and with better camera (more on this in a minute).

Display

The Reno15 Pro 5G has a 6.32-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2640 x 1216 pixels. That’s a 460 PPI, which is sharp enough for everything you’d use a phone for. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling and animations feel smooth.

The standout feature here is brightness. OPPO claims the Reno15 Pro 5G can hit 3600 nits peak brightness. That’s among the brightest displays you’ll find on any phone right now. In direct sunlight, the screen stays visible, which is great if you’re shooting content outdoors or just checking your phone on a sunny day.

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The display also has 10-bit color depth, which means it can show over a billion colors. Videos and photos look vibrant, and the colors feel accurate without being oversaturated. For anyone who edits photos or videos on their phone, this level of color accuracy is helpful.

OPPO also included high-frequency PWM dimming at 2160Hz. This reduces flicker when you’re using the phone at low brightness, which can help with eye strain during late-night scrolling sessions. It’s a small feature, but it makes a difference if you’re sensitive to screen flicker.

The smaller screen size might not appeal to everyone, especially if you’re used to larger displays. But for one-handed use and portability, the 6.32-inch size is perfect. And honestly, the screen is so bright and sharp that it doesn’t feel like you’re missing out on much.

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Hardware

Here’s where things get a bit predictable. The Reno15 Pro 5G uses the MediaTek Dimensity 8450 chipset, the same processor found in the Reno14 Pro 5G. In terms of experience, that means you cannot expect much from its performance as OPPO decided to stick with the same chipset compared to its predecessor. However, if you’re into benchmark numbers, the Reno15 Pro 5G trumps over it by a lot of margin: 2,100,000 vs 1,800,000.

Then again, this smartphone is not particularly made for those who currently use a Reno14 Pro 5G. If you’re coming from a Reno13 Pro 5G, you’ll get a nominal performance bump. But if you’re upgrading from a Reno12 Pro 5G or older, this will feel like a major jump.

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The Dimensity 8450 handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and you won’t see lag during normal use. The phone comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which helps keep apps in memory even when you’re switching between multiple tasks.

Gaming performance is decent. OPPO includes AI HyperBoost 2.0, which optimizes frame rates and keeps temperatures in check. Games like Mobile Legends, Free Fire, and PUBG can hit 120fps with this feature enabled. The AI-Powered Adaptive Temperature Control Algorithm slows down heat buildup, so the phone doesn’t get uncomfortably warm during long gaming sessions.

Storage options include 256GB or 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. That’s plenty for most users, and the fast storage means apps and files load quickly.

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Benchmark

We also subjected the OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G to five benchmark tests that checks the performance of the chipset. While this does not actually translate to real world settings, this provides enough data to see how it fares compares to high midrange and flagship smartphones in the market.

Based on this, if you’re upgrading from a Reno12 Pro 5G or earlier, the performance difference will be noticeable. But if you already own a Reno14 Pro 5G, the Reno15 Pro 5G won’t feel faster in everyday use.

Software and Other Software Features

The Reno15 Pro 5G runs ColorOS 16 based on Android 16. OPPO’s interface is clean and customizable, and this version includes some useful AI features.

One feature I find interesting is AI Mind Space. It’s basically a personal knowledge hub where you can save articles, photos, chat logs, and schedules. Just swipe up with three fingers, and whatever’s on your screen gets saved. The AI can even extract details from images. For example, if you take a photo of a concert poster, the phone pulls out the date and time and suggests adding it to your calendar. That’s genuinely useful.

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Google Gemini is deeply integrated into ColorOS 16. You can use natural language commands to control native apps like Clock, Calendar, and Notes. Gemini Live also taps into the camera and screen context to give you real-time guidance. It’s helpful if you need quick answers or want to automate tasks.

OPPO also included a bunch of AI productivity tools. AI Call Summary records calls and generates summaries. AI Call Translator provides real-time translation during phone calls. AI VoiceScribe creates subtitles for video calls and meetings. These features might not be groundbreaking, but they’re practical.

The Trinity Engine is OPPO’s optimization layer that analyzes your usage habits to keep the phone running smoothly over time. OPPO claims the Reno15 Pro 5G has a 6-Year Fluency Protection certification, meaning the interface should stay as smooth as day one even after years of use. That’s a bold claim, but OPPO’s track record with software optimization is generally solid.

The creative features on the Reno15 Pro 5G are impressive, like the Photo Popout feature. It uses depth information and AI to easily edit photos and allow users to make photos pop. You just select two or three photos, tap “Collage,” then tap your subject and select “Popout”. Your subject literally leaps out of the frame. It’s a fun tool for social media content, and it works with both still photos and AI Motion Photos.

OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G Sample Photo 1
I did not work hard on this one. The AI Popout features did.

Camera

This is where the Reno15 Pro 5G shines. The best reason for getting the Reno15 Pro 5G is the camera. It now features a 200MP main sensor, which is a huge upgrade from the 50MP on its predecessor.

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The main camera uses the Samsung HP5 sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS. The 200MP resolution gives you a ton of detail, and it’s perfect if you like cropping photos or printing them in large formats. In good lighting, photos are sharp and vibrant. The OIS helps keep shots steady, even when your hands aren’t.

The telephoto camera is a 50MP shooter with 3.5x optical zoom and OIS. It’s equivalent to an 80mm lens, which is great for portraits and street photography. The AI kicks in at 10x zoom and higher to enhance clarity, so even distant subjects look sharp.

The ultra-wide camera is a 50MP sensor with a 16mm focal length. It captures a wide field of view, which is useful for landscapes and group shots. The autofocus on this lens is a nice addition, making close-up shots easier.

The front camera is a 50MP Samsung JN5 sensor with a 100-degree field of view. This is OPPO’s widest selfie camera yet. You can fit more people or scenery into the frame without needing a selfie stick. The wide angle also creates a flattering perspective effect that makes your face look slightly smaller while still capturing your surroundings.

OPPO’s Reno Portrait Engine processes photos to enhance image quality while keeping things natural. The Skin Tone Improvement algorithm ensures that people with different skin tones are represented accurately. It’s a subtle but important feature.

AI Flash Photography 2.0 is another highlight. The phone uses dual rear flashes to light up subjects in low light. The system employs a quick pre-flash followed by a powerful main flash, creating a luminous, three-dimensional look. There’s also a Screen Flash Mode for selfies, which uses the display as a fill light. You can choose from different colored light effects to set the mood.

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For video, the Reno15 Pro 5G supports 4K HDR recording with stabilization on both front and rear cameras. The Dual-View Video mode activates both cameras simultaneously, so you can record your reaction and the scene in front of you at the same time. The Seamless Switch feature lets you flip between front and rear cameras while recording without any lag or black screen. These are great tools for vloggers.

AI Motion Photo features are fun to play with. AI Motion Photo Eraser removes unwanted objects from motion photos with a single tap. AI Motion Photo Slow-Mo converts standard motion photos into smooth slow-motion clips using AI frame interpolation.

Audio

The Reno15 Pro 5G has dual stereo speakers. They’re loud enough for watching videos or casual listening, but don’t expect audiophile-level sound. The speakers get the job done, though they lack bass depth.

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There’s no headphone jack, so you’ll need to use Bluetooth headphones or a USB-C adapter. The phone supports Bluetooth 5.4, which ensures stable connections and decent audio quality with wireless earbuds.

Battery

The Reno15 Pro 5G packs a 6200mAh battery. That’s one of the largest batteries you’ll find in a phone this size. OPPO claims the phone can easily last over a full day of intensive use, including content creation, gaming, and streaming. In my experience, from full charge, it clocked in 18 hours and 25 minutes until it reached 20%. Pretty nice, although its sibling the OPPO Reno15 F performed better, thanks to its higher battery capacity.

While the battery performance remains the same as the Reno14 Pro 5G on paper, it has slightly improved in real-world use because of both hardware and software optimizations, including having a smaller display. A 6.32-inch screen consumes less power than a 6.83-inch one, so you should see better battery life overall.

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Charging is fast. The 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge powers up the phone quickly. You can top up the battery in under an hour, which is convenient if you’re in a rush. One thing missing here is wireless charging. The Reno14 Pro 5G had 50W wireless charging, but OPPO removed it from the Reno15 Pro 5G. That’s a trade-off you’ll have to accept if you prioritize the smaller size and better cameras.

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Verdict

The OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G is a solid mid-range phone with a few standout features. The compact size makes it one of the easiest phones to use with one hand, and the 200MP camera is a genuine upgrade over the previous generation. If you’re into photography or content creation, this phone gives you the tools to capture high-quality shots without carrying a separate camera.

Performance is where the Reno15 Pro 5G plays it safe. The Dimensity 8450 is the same chip from the Reno14 Pro 5G, so don’t expect a huge leap in speed. But if you’re upgrading from an older model, you’ll notice the difference. Gaming is smooth, everyday tasks are snappy, and the software features add value.

Battery life is excellent, and the smaller display helps stretch it even further. Fast charging is convenient, though the lack of wireless charging might disappoint some users.

Price (PhP47,999 – PhP49,999) can be perceived as the major setback. If you see it that way, we couldn’t blame you. There are various reasons for this, and we talked about it in our previous article, which affects both the smartphone and PC market. What OPPO did to counter this issue is to max out the freebies per each purchase of the Reno15 Pro 5G.

The Reno15 Pro 5G isn’t perfect. It doesn’t have the most powerful processor, and it’s missing wireless charging. But for its size, camera quality, and overall package, it’s a strong contender in the mid-range segment. If you skipped the Reno14 Pro 5G because of its size or wanted better cameras, the Reno15 Pro 5G is worth a look.

8.8Expert Score
OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G

The Reno15 Pro 5G isn’t perfect. It doesn’t have the most powerful processor, and it’s missing wireless charging. But for its size, camera quality, and overall package, it’s a strong contender in the mid-range segment. If you skipped the Reno14 Pro 5G because of its size or wanted better cameras, the Reno15 Pro 5G is worth a look.

Build
8
Display
10
Hardware
7
Software
9
Camera
10
Audio
8.5
Battery
9
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Source: Gadget Pilipinas

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