Oppo gives more for less

VALUE: TOP TIER HANDSET BALANCES SIZE AND SPECS

- Arthur Goldstuck

If large screens have become shorthand for “premium”, the version of the Oppo Reno15 Pro 5G launched in South Africa writes a shorter story. With a 6.32-inch display, once the norm for flagship phones, it now feels almost niche. Yet the hardware inside suggests Oppo hasn't made any compromises.

What is it?

The Reno15 Pro 5G is Oppo's upper-tier handset in South Africa, and makes its mark in the way it balances size against specification.

The 6.32-inch Amoled display runs at 120Hz and offers a dense pixel count on a smaller surface area than most rivals. The result is a sharpness that's immediately noticeable when reading text or reviewing photos.

Brightness levels are strong enough for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight, and colour reproduction does not suffer the exaggeration of many rivals.

On a device this size, the panel feels proportionate.

Despite the more compact body, Oppo has fitted a 6 200mAh battery. In many devices, shrinking the footprint usually means shrinking endurance, but here the opposite seems to be true.

The battery eased through a day of navigation during long drives, photography, messaging, background streaming and email.

Late afternoon did not trigger the usual calculation about whether to dim the screen.

If it did, an 80W wired charger included in the box, allowing supports rapid top-ups. Short charging sessions add meaningful percentage gains.

Wireless charging is present as well, adding flexibility for desk or bedside use.